While the Oklahoma City Thunder have raced out to a 5-2 record, the big story surrounding the team in recent weeks has been how All-NBA PG Russell Westbrook fits with his Thunder teammates, particularly Kevin Durant.
After a tough 103-93 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, those stories don't seem to be going away, not after comments like this from Trail Blazers PG Ray Felton:
"That’s the type of guy he is, that’s his mindset, that’s how he plays," Felton said when I remarked about Westbrook’s win-the-battle, but lose-the-war mentality. "He’s always in a one-on-one battle with all the point guards. I’m not really into that. I’m into winning. If you win, everybody gets the praises. We are not wearing ‘Felton’ on the front of our jerseys; it says Blazers. I care about the Blazers winning."
Westbrook, an athletic slasher who doesn't fit the mold of a traditional PG, has long been criticized for the way the Oklahoma City offense can stagnate, especially at the end of games, with many critics echoing Felton's claims that he plays too seflishly.
In Westbrook's defense, Felton, who has averaged 13.7 points and 6.1 assists on 41.2% shooting in his seven-year career, is wise not to get caught up in individual match-ups, as he rarely wins them.
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