Russell Westbrook News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 18

Miami Herald

"Through nine games this season, the Heat found a way to become one of the league's biggest surprises thanks to consistent defense, a stunning superstar and a more productive supporting cast. No one ever called the Heat physically intimidating, however. The Oklahoma City Thunder can be exactly that. With 6-11 Kevin Durant leading a long, athletic and talented group, the Thunder dismantled the Heat 100-87 on Tuesday in a relatively empty AmericanAirlines Arena. ``They came in and set the tone right from the top of the game and they outplayed us with their athleticism, with their length, with their energy,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ``We never could put together sustained, long moments ..."

Russell Westbrook responds

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November 15

The Oklahoman

"Coming off one of the worst games of his young career, Russell Westbrook responded with one of his best (19 points, 11 assists, 0 turnovers). "It's going to be an ongoing process," said coach Scott Brooks. "Russell is not at the level that he's going to be. But he works at it. He wants to get better. He's not going to play perfect basketball." FOUR IN FIVE NIGHTS The Thunder Saturday night started one of its most demanding stretches all season, playing four games in five nights in four cities. Three of the four are on the road. "The key is to bring the energy every night," Brooks said. "You can't pick and choose your game, thinking 'This is a good team (so bring more energy).' You have to ..."

Durant, Green, Westbrook represent OKC on NBA All-Star ballot

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November 10

The Oklahoman

"Oklahoma City teammates Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook are on the 2010 NBA All-Star ballot, which was released by the league Tuesday. This marks the first time Green and Westbrook made the All-Star ballot. Durant was on the ballot last year, along with Thunder teammates Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox. The NBA All-Star game will be played Sunday, Feb. 14 in Arlington, Texas. Fans can cast votes at each NBA arena, on NBA.com and through mobile phones by texting the player's last name to 6-9-6-2-2 ("MYNBA"), via Web2Go® on T-Mobile phones or wap.nba.com for any wireless carrier. Paper balloting will continue through Jan. 10, while wireless balloting and voting on NBA.com will ..."

Russell Westbrook mixing scoring with passing

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November 9

The Oklahoman

"Russell Westbrook entered Sunday's game against Orlando coming off a season-high 33 points at Houston. His point total was one shy of his career high and his 25 shot attempts were 13 more than his average through the first four games. Westbrook's priority had previously been to set up his teammates and control the pace of the game. But Westbrook's aggressiveness at Houston signaled the balancing act the second-year point guard is trying to master between looking for his own offense and getting others involved. "He has to continue to work on that," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "It's a fine line, but it's an important line for him to push at all times. He has to attack. We don't want him ..."

Russell Westbrook gets an 'A' for assists in Thunder win

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October 29

The Oklahoman

"Kevin Durant said he knew this summer that Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook was primed for a special season. "At those USA trials (for young rising players), that's when he showed he could really play point guard," Durant said. "I knew back then in (Las) Vegas it was going to be a good year for him." After playing well in preseason, Westbrook dished out a career-high 13 assists in the Thunder's season opening 102-89 win over Sacramento in the Ford Center. "His performance was unbelievable, probably the best game I've ever seen him play," Durant said. "He handled the team so well. Even though he didn't take as many shots as he normally does, he got some open shots because he got us the ..."

Subtle wrinkle demonstrates Russell Westbrook's improvement

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October 27

The Oklahoman

"The Thunder has yet to play a regular season game. But Russell Westbrook quickly established himself throughout training camp and the preseason as perhaps the most improved player on the roster. His improvement has been quantifiable, as seen in his increased assists and decreased turnovers, and unquantifiable, displayed in his patience and confidence on the court. But one small development in his game has stood out and could have a major impact on the Thunder this season. Westbrook is now coming to get the ball following defensive rebounds rather than relying on a risky outlet pass in traffic. It's a small quirk Westbrook didn't exhibit last season but one that could cut down on turnovers ..."

Continued growth: Thunder guard Russell Westbrook just misses posting a triple-double

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October 13

The Oklahoman

"Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, center, drives to the basket past Phoenix's Grant Hill, left, during preseason action at the Ford Center on Monday. Westbrook was one assist away from a triple-double. In the Thunder's 110-105 overtime win over Phoenix, the second-year point guard displayed to his home fans the continued development he's shown throughout this preseason.Westbrook scored 10 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished nine assists in 26 minutes. He again played with confidence and control, showing complete command of the offense and newfound patience that he lacked last season. Westbrook made five of eight shots, turned the ball over just three times and came away with two ..."

Russell Westbrook shows his maturity in OKC Thunder's loss to Memphis Grizzlies

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October 8

The Oklahoman

"About 90 minutes before tip-off, a smile grew wider and wider on Russell Westbrook's face the more he thought about the difference between Wednesday night and the first time he sat inside the visitor's locker room at FedEx Forum. His memories of Nov. 29, 2008, are vivid. It was a Saturday night. Newly named interim coach Scott Brooks had just told him he would be starting his first career game, against the Memphis Grizzlies. And that's when the knots started forming in the pit of his stomach. "Oh it's a whole lot different," Westbrook said of his nerves just before the Thunder opened its preseason schedule. "I'm so chill now. I'm so calm and cool." Westbrook then went out and proved it, ..."

Thunder Summer League Notebook: Westbrook's highlight reel

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July 9

The Oklahoman

"Westbrook's highlight reel dunk Russell Westbrook's smile was blinding as he broke down the highlight of Oklahoma City's 94-82 win over the Boston Celtics in Day 3 of the Orlando Pro Summer League. It was the middle of the second quarter, Westbrook was already loose thanks to a handful of steals and drives to the bucket, and the game was already heavy on breakdowns in transition. Boston Celtics third-year guard Gabe Pruitt, trying to break into Doc Rivers' rotation behind Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Eddie House, moved over in front of Westbrook and tried to stop his forward momentum. That's where things got hazy. Westbrook lost Pruitt with a move so quick that it was actually difficult to ..."

Emerging face of a franchise

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June 30

The Oklahoman

columnist Jenni Carlson

"Russell Westbrook spent Sunday night walking the red carpet, mugging for cameras and hanging with celebrities. He was among the lucky few with an invite to the BET Awards. Like most star-studded events in Hollywood, it was a tough ticket to come by, but the Thunder point guard scored one.What a difference a year makes.The last week of June 2008, Westbrook was a head-scratching, top-five pick in the NBA Draft, but the last week of June 2009, he is an emerging face of a franchise and a rising luminary in the league. Just think about what Westbrook has done this past week. He not only attended the BET Awards but also appeared on "Rome is Burning" and altered the future direction of his team. ..."