"Russell Westbrook took 33 shots Monday night in the Memphis Marathon. Kevin Durant took 20.

You know what that means. Here we go again.

Why does Westbrook shoot so much? Why does he crave the spotlight? Why does he feel like he has to be the man?

Crazed fans, we can forgive. But NBA veterans, from the likes of Chuck Barkley and Kenny Smith and Mike Fratello? Busting Westbrook even after he was the central hero in one of the most thrilling games in NBA history? Wondering why Durant wasn't getting more shots than was his point guard.

Are they not watching the games?

To quote Strother Martin in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "Morons. I've got morons on my team."

The Thunder has regained control of this rousing Western Conference semifinal against Memphis, armed again with homecourt advantage in a 2-2 series.

And Westbrook is the No. 1 reason. The Thunder has a favorable mismatch with Westbrook. It does not have such an edge with Durant.

Did you notice Durant standing free on the wing Monday night, waving for the ball?

Neither did I. Durant wasn't open. Hasn't been open much in this series, courtesy of hound dogs Shane Battier and Tony Allen. There are maybe 10 defenders in the league who can frustrate Durant, and the Grizzlies have two of them.

Durant still has played wonderfully. Averaged 29 points and shot 45.8 percent. But nothing comes easy, not with Battier and Allen on the case.

Meanwhile, Memphis has no answer for Westbrook. Mike Conley is game but overmatched. O.J. Mayo is athletic but not always fundamental. Greivis Vasquez doesn't have a prayer."