There aren’t many players today (or in recorded history, for that matter) who can match the level of intensity Russell Westbrook brings to the court each and every game. Some of that, no doubt, is just youthful bravado and a sheer inability to play any other way. And the 27-year-old isn’t showing any signs of letting up. He’s as ferocious as he’s ever been. But he’s also shown a keen awareness of how to harness and focus that energy into a strategic and unremitting assault that categorically demoralizes his opponents.
When things aren’t going his way, however, that anger and hostility sometimes gets the better of him, the byproduct of which has been a grand total of 71 technical fouls over the course of his career. And those can become costly, in terms of both the outcome of a given game or series and in a fiduciary sense. Recognizing that reality, Westbrook now claims that he’s “done with those days” of picking up ill-advised techs. Via Anthony Slater of NewsOK.com:
“I learned in the summer time, once they make a call, they ain’t changing it,” Westbrook said. “It took awhile, but I learned it. I watched all my film, all my techs, all the dumb s*** I was doing. I decided to tell myself there’s no reason to argue, so move on.”
If you’re skeptical about Westbrook’s ability to keep his emotions in-check in the heat of competition, then you’re not alone. Teammate Kevin Durant, for one, won’t be holding his breath on the matter.
“Hell no (he’s not done getting them),” Kevin Durant said. “We’ll see. Hopefully he doesn’t get them, but I don’t buy that.”
Either way, there’s really no danger of Westbrook suddenly losing his edge or turning into an amicable guy (on the court, that is). But if he can effectively cut down on the number of technical fouls he receives, it will help avoid potentially season-altering scenarios like the one he faced last spring when he was almost suspended during a crucial juncture for racking up too many Ts.
(Via NewsOK.com)
