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Angry Russell Westbrook wanted to fight Marc Gasol (Video)

By Cody Williams

Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being called for a technical foul in action against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being called for a technical foul in action against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thunder guard Russell Westbrook wasn’t enjoying himself and tried to take his anger out by picking a fight with Grizzlies center Marc Gasol

Russell Westbrook wearing his emotions on his sleeve is nothing new for the Oklahoma City Thunder guard. For better or worse, his passion is evident on the basketball court 99.9 percent of the time. However, that sometimes puts the dynamic and electric point guard in precarious situations. One such situation arose on Thursday night as he found himself about to come to blows with Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.

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The Grizzlies were absolutely taking it to the Thunder in the game being played in Tulsa, OK on Thursday night. Westbrook was playing fine, but was clearly unhappy with his 5-11 shooting performance and his team’s general problems with turnovers. So after Kaleb Tarczewski couldn’t convert on an alley-oop from Russ, Westbrook was really fuming. The point guard then came into contact with Gasol and things started to escalate.

To go to the tale-of-the-tape, Gasol is 7-1, 255 pounds while Westbrook is 6-3, 200 pounds. While size isn’t everything, Russ almost put himself in a position he likely wants no part of (H/T to The Big Lead):

Gasol was having absolutely none of Westbrook’s antics there. Both players are lucky that the officials didn’t let this escalate further. It was about to be a scene, clearly, on the floor.

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Again, Westbrook’s passion is one of his greatest strengths. However, the Thunder guard can’t react like this when he’s frustrated—especially this season. With Kevin Durant gone, those frustrating moments are going to pile up. OKC can ill-afford to have their leader making bonehead decisions like this that could leave the team without their other superstar, as well. That’s not a good look—and it’s not exactly smart to be barking up a 7-1 tree, for what it’s worth.

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