Russell Westbrook is headed towards a big season for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17, but first, gotta finish those dunks.
For the first time in his NBA career, Russell Westbrook will be playing without fellow superstar Kevin Durant. Durant bolted OKC this offseason for the Golden State Warriors, who eliminated the Thunder during last year’s Western Conference Finals. Westbrook has made it known that he an Durant are not friends, and will be looking to keep his former teammate from helping the Warriors back to the Finals this season.
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder played a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks, in a Western Conference matchup in Dallas. Westbrook, who is an early favorite to win the MVP this season, attempted to throw one down early in the third quarter. Well, unfortunately for him, the rim had other plans.
As Westbrook went to flush it down, the rim was having none of it, and quickly rejected the ball back at the star guard. It was a pretty embarrassing play for a guy who usually slams it home with ease. If you are not a Russell Westbrook fan, or just like to see really athletic people look like the rest of us, take a look at the video below.
In all seriousness, the 2016-17 season should be a huge one for Westbrook, who will be counted on to fill the shoes left by Durant. The Thunder actually had the Warriors on the brink of elimination during the Western Conference Finals last year, but blew a 3-1 lead to Golden State. Durant is gone, but the Thunder should still be a contender in the West this season.
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Hopefully for Westbrook, he will be able to finish a few of these dunks this season. Luckily, he was not injured on the play. Well, maybe his ego a little bit, but not physically.
The Thunder will open up the 2016-17 season on the road in Philadelphia against the 76ers on October 26. Westbrook and company travel to Golden State on November 3, in the team’s first matchup against Durant and his new squad. There are sure to be plenty of fireworks that night.