Fansided

The definitive Oklahoma City Thunder schadenfreude rankings

By Bryan Toporek

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball guarded by Ricky Rubio (3) of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball guarded by Ricky Rubio (3) of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Ricky Rubio

After Ricky Rubio went off for 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to fuel Utah to a Game 3 victory over the Thunder, Russell Westbrook vowed to “shut that s–t off” in Game 4.

NARRATOR: He did not.

Rubio didn’t follow up with his second straight triple-double, but he finished with 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds, a steal and a block in the Jazz’s Game 4 triumph over OKC, which gave Utah a 3-1 series lead. Whereas Rubio was a plus-22 on the night, Westbrook finished as a minus-14.

The reigning MVP allowed his emotions to get the best of him Monday night, as he picked up four first-half fouls (much to the delight of Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney). Rubio cunningly used Westbrook’s hyper-aggressive approach against him, drawing fouls from charges and while he guarded Rubio full-court.

“Little bit. Little bit,” Westbrook told reporters afterward in reference to how foul trouble changed the way he played in the second half. “Obviously, not being able to be on the ball takes a little bit of aggression away, but things like that happen within the game and you’ve got to figure out how to play with it.”

Emotions run high in the playoffs, but by staying even-keeled Monday night, Rubio and the Jazz took advantage of Westbrook’s intensity to gain a chokehold on the series.

Next: 3. Seattle fans

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