Rockets vs Thunder: 'Goddamn Westbrook', say upset fans after his below-par performance sees Houston go down
It just wasn't Russell Westbrook's day. His second game after returning from his quad injury was an absolutely forgettable affair as Oklahoma City Thunder pipped them 104-100 to force a Game 7 on the first round of the NBA Playoffs. It was a shocker for Rockets fans as they saw the game slip away from their hands in the fourth quarter. Westbrooks' turnovers and not to mention, the ill-timed airball sealed the fate for the Rockets. Twitter though was harsh in its criticism and pulled no punches while at it.
"Westbrook is finally gonna get the Thunder out of the first round," a fan wrote.
Westbrook is finally gonna get the Thunder out of the first round
β cowtown5 (@texasoccer5) September 1, 2020
The memes weren't far away: "Russell Westbrook stealing the ball from James Harden to shoot the game winner," a fan tweeted with a hilarious GIF.
Russell Westbrook stealing the ball from James Harden to shoot the game winner pic.twitter.com/48RXRxet4t
β WeeklyNewsical (@WeeklyNewsical) September 1, 2020
"Man I think the Rockets got the wrong Westbrook they should've took Russell Textbook instead," read one of the fan tweets.
Man I think the Rockets got the wrong Westbrook they should've took Russell Textbook instead pic.twitter.com/MK3syVRSc1
β Sim π (@Capt_Simm) September 1, 2020
James Harden, despite being on the points list garnered some flak as well. "Westbrook and Harden choking in the playoffs is everything I could ever want in my life."
Westbrook and Harden choking in the playoffs is everything I could ever want in my life
β SmaugπΉ (@Smaug55) September 1, 2020
Some felt it was an unfair comparison. "Itβs not totally fair, because Westbrook is clearly extremely rusty, but the contrast in crunchtime between him and Chris Paul was... noticeable," a tweet read.
Itβs not totally fair, because Westbrook is clearly extremely rusty, but the contrast in crunchtime between him and Chris Paul was... noticeable.
β Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 1, 2020
NBA writer Kevin O'Connort had a few valid points: "Why'd James Harden not have the ball at the end of the game? The same reason why Kevin Durant didn't have the ball in so many pivotal moments: Russell Westbrook, who so often has it in situations he should give it up. This series would be over if the Rockets still had Chris Paul."
Why'd James Harden not have the ball at the end of the game? The same reason why Kevin Durant didn't have the ball in so many pivotal moments: Russell Westbrook, who so often has it in situations he should give it up. This series would be over if the Rockets still had Chris Paul.
β Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) September 1, 2020
"Westbrook literally has the lowest basketball IQ of any player ive ever watched in my life," read one of the comments.
Westbrook literally has the lowest basketball IQ of any player ive ever watched in my life
β Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) September 1, 2020
And the most common tweet of all: "Goddamn Westbrook."
The pressure now is on Harden and Westbrook to deliver and one of the fans summed it up perfectly in his tweet: "Westbrook and harden legacy ono the line game 7."
The Rockets and the Thunder will meet again on Wednesday for the final game.