It's been an interesting 10 years for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Moving from Seattle was one thing. To be able to group together after a mediocre first year and have a strong core of players was another. The idea of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook working together should have been a dream come true. But it hasn't. Harden went to Houston in 2012 and has built a strong career. Durant has been great, but the last three years with Golden State could see him win a third straight Finals. With that, it only leaves Westbrook and a Thunder team that more than likely watches the championship at home.
I do question Westbrook's character a bit. It goes way before this, but the way he acts, I wonder how he lives with the various attitudes he has. Especially with the next question antics he has been doing. Now, I understand not every player wants to talk to the media. I think a lot of it has to do with criticism if someone's game is off or if the team put in a losing effort. And social media is looking at these press conferences, too. I believe all the responses and questions all around is getting into Westbrook's head and it is getting tiring for him.
That being said, the media has to do their job. And one of the defenders is Warriors coach Steve Kerr. He has dealt with it as a coach and as a GM for Phoenix. You got to give them something. Players get sick of questions, regardless of outcomes. However, they are not always to blame. The media may want to make a story. Some can be truthful about what they talked about. Others want to sell papers and subscriptions to get people attached to a narrative. For Westbrook, it's one reporter. It's not like it's the entire group of reporters from ESPN, local news stations, NBC.
Westbrook has immense talent. If things don't change, there is no chance he wins a Finals championship, and the media will bury him with even more questions each passing year. He better get his act together and not be sour all the time.
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