Kobe Bryant Posts Instagram Meme In Defense Of Russell Westbrook’s Gunning

Russell Westbrook “doesn’t really give a damn” about what people think of him taking 43 shots in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Why? Perhaps because Kobe Bryant cares enough for him.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar came to defense of his high-usage brethren with this Instagram post earlier today.

Fair enough.

Westbrook’s performance last night was indeed historic. He became the only player since 1985-1986 to manage 54 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in a single game, after all, and did so with acceptable efficiency. His 1.26 points per shot is barely higher than his season-long number. Oklahoma City’s offensive rating with him on the floor versus Indy was a team-best 111.5, too.

But the field goal attempts are still what stick out to many, and it’s not hard to see why. The narrative suggesting Westbrook isn’t a point guard still matters to some people and reached an understandable fever pitch on Sunday.

We’ve never bought into that discussion, though, and similarly applaud Westbrook for his incredible game as opposed to chastising surface statistics of it. Just what else was he supposed to against the Pacers? The Thunder are sorely limited offensively without Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, and it’s not like Enes Kanter or Dion Waiters had it going, either. Plus, the defensive issues that could doom Oklahoma City’s playoff hopes were in full effect yesterday. The Thunder were in a shootout, basically, and Westbrook “chucking” was the surest way to them staying alive.

Having said all that, Bryant has an ulterior motive here. He’s long been bemoaned for a similar offensive approach, especially earlier this season before succumbing to injury. The main difference between he and Westbrook in 2014-2015, though? Russ has been relatively efficient while Kobe nearly set a record for futility. Bryant’s quip is missing that crucial point of information, naturally.

Either way, it’s cool to see one superstar stick up for another – even if his take is so obviously self-serving.

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