Thunder Players, and fans, Critical of Durant, Westbrook After Loss

http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/report_thunder_players_critical_of_kevin_durant_russell_westbrook/s1_12680_21002986



Report: Thunder players critical of Durant, Westbrook after loss

Originally posted on Sportsnaut  |  By Jesse Reed  |  Last updated 5/29/16


Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook allowed Game 6 to get away. J Pat Carter/Getty Images
In the wake of an epic collapse by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, some players are less than pleased with the approach taken by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the waning minutes of the contest.

Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Chris Broussard conveyed the mood of Oklahoma City’s locker room following the devastating 108-101 loss at home. And it wasn’t pretty.

“As far as their own stars, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder felt like they were playing to protect the lead in the fourth quarter, whereas the Warriors were playing to win. You know, they got tentative. They weren’t as aggressive as they needed to be, and they felt like that’s why they made a lot of the turnovers they made and missed a lot of the shots they made because they were just trying to hold on versus just continuing to play the way they played to get the lead.”

Broussard also said the players were “dejected,” and it’s not hard to understand why.

The Thunder absolutely choked in the second half of the fourth quarter, with the pinnacle of the disaster occurring in the final minutes. They committed six turnovers in the final three minutes of the game, with Westbrook in particular stinking up the joint.

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ESPN Stats & Info ✔ ‎@ESPNStatsInfo
Russell Westbrook had 4 turnovers since 1:29 in the 4th quarter. He had 1 in the game prior to that
7:30 AM - 29 May 2016
 128 128 Retweets   147 147 likes


In this, it sure seems like the players who reportedly felt like their stars let them down with tentative play were correct in their assessment.

Westbrook and Durant absolutely took their foot off the gas pedal and played without the same edge they had displayed all series long. And because of that (and Klay Thompson’s Yoda socks), the Warriors were able to pick themselves off the mat and deliver a knockout blow instead.

If the Warriors are able to come back and win Game 7 at home, the collapse by the Thunder in Game 6 will be something everyone in Oklahoma City will lament for years. It could also signal the end of the Durant/Westbrook duo, which has, to this point, never been able to get over the hump when it counts the most.


HERE'S ANOTHER STORY ALONG THIS LINE:


http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-wizards/kevin-durant-taking-heat-thunder-fans-after-game-6-loss-warriors?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo&yptr=yahoo



KEVIN DURANT TAKING HEAT FROM THUNDER FANS AFTER GAME 6 LOSS TO WARRIORS


By Keely Diven May 29, 2016 6:00 PM



Kevin Durant is not only one of NBA's best players, but also one of it's best liked players. He's beloved by the Thunder faithful and coveted by just about everyone else (especially Wizards fans). But his poor performance in Saturday's Game 6 loss to the Warriors has drawn unusual recrimination.

KD seldom finds himself a target of pointed critism, either of his play or demeanor. And when he has gotten flak more recently, it's usually from the media not the public.

Maybe that's because he comes off as humble and unassuming without being afraid to stand up for himself. Or because his partner in superstardom, Russell Westbrook, is such a lightening rod. Generally speaking, there's just nothing all that offensive or controversial about Durant.

But the aftermath of Game 6 has been another story entirely. Fans from all over -- including Oklahoma, Texas and Washington D.C. -- have absolutely flogged the 2014 MVP. The blame campaign started as people filed out of Chesapeake Arena.

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Ben Golliver ✔ ‎@BenGolliver
"It was Kevin's fault, just write that," a Thunder fan says as he walks to the exit.
8:49 PM - 28 May 2016
 282 282 Retweets   227 227 likes
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Ryan ‎@Ryan915
Absolute choke job from Durant tonight. COMPLETE PLEB.

Leave OKC you bum
8:37 PM - 28 May 2016
 11 11 Retweets   21 21 likes
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Colby Korf2️⃣3️⃣ ‎@ckorf_2
Durant I love you bro but you choke...
8:39 PM - 28 May 2016
 4 4 Retweets   14 14 likes
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Rashaun Will ✔ ‎@RashaunWill
Im a durant fan but u cant choke like that in pivotal moments naah bruh
8:47 PM - 28 May 2016
 2 2 Retweets   1 1 like
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Raul Gamazo ‎@RGamazo24
Bro if LeBron what have lost this game, they would have ripped him a new one. But Durant loses and the get him ice cream and a loser trophy
8:42 PM - 28 May 2016
 4 4 Retweets   2 2 likes
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Tim Jurado ‎@timjurado95
It sucks to say Kevin Durant choked. I would never like to see that from a former Longhorn
8:44 PM - 28 May 2016
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Eddie L Edgerton ‎@Eddie02886543
Durant sucks! Can't handle the pressure. Mr. MVP 2014 socks. Already a has been.
8:53 PM - 28 May 2016
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Richie Botto ‎@richiebotto
Durant shot 50% for the past 5 seasons, now he's going 10-30.. Nah he needs the blame this time Westbrook not the scapegoat
9:14 PM - 28 May 2016
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JP ⚡️ ‎@Jay_4_parker
Russell Westbrook need to get traded he ain't gone never win wit durant