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The Oklahoma City Thunder were once again eliminated from the playoffs in the first round and had nothing more to show for it than a massive war of words with the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as a visible rift with the local media. According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, the Thunder have grown tired of Westbrook's behavior off the court, now that it has garnered national attention:
“Most fans don’t care about press conference etiquette. But word is the Thunder are tiring of Westbrook’s off-the-court behavior, and at least one outspoken NBA head coach deems Westbrook’s media method dangerous for the league,” wrote Mayberry. “At the least, Westbrook was unprofessional, especially when held up to Lillard and C.J. McCollum. And, yes, media is a part of players’ obligation, particularly superstars like Westbrook.”
Mayberry didn't hold back on his take regarding the constant “next question” barrage from Westbrook toward longtime sports columnist Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors criticized Westbrook for his stance, claiming the NBA is heading down a “dangerous” path for allowing this to happen, while Tramel's colleague, Erik Horne, also had plenty of words to support Tramel's reasoning to keep asking questions, despite knowing the outcome.
Mayberry punched this in with hammer and steel, sticking up for his former coworker after many took Westbrook's side:
“So allow me, a media member, to defend another media member,” wrote Mayberry. “Berry Tramel is a good man. He’s an extraordinary journalist, a true professional and the best coworker I’ve ever had. Westbrook couldn’t have picked a worse sparring partner.
“I worked with Tramel for 12 years at The Oklahoman. He’s a devout Christian, a loving husband, father and grandfather and one of the greatest sports writers the state has ever seen, yet he’ll knock your socks off when you witness how his selflessness belies his stature. That’s why so many are defending Tramel. Westbrook picked the wrong guy. He picked one of his biggest supporters — seriously, Google some of Tramel’s stuff on Westbrook — not some hack who made Russ his punching bag.
“Tramel and his wonderful wife, Tricia, have invited me and several other former co-workers into their home for Thanksgiving. When current Thunder beat writer Erik Horne had car trouble last summer, Tramel loaned him his truck. Not for a few hours. Not for a day. For the whole week. That’s who I know Berry to be. He’s a dying breed, and he’s handled an awkward situation about as professional as anyone in our business can.”
The Thunder have been nationally embarrassed with Westbrook's antics, and they're just beginning to see it — after years of accommodating Westbrook in fear of him potentially leaving and as a thank you token for signing a royal extension with the franchise.
Yet every extension of generosity has its end, and it looks like the Thunder could finally take action after years of allowing Westbrook's petulant behavior toward not just Tramel, but the media in general.
