VIDEO: Russell Westbrook Explains Sideline Interaction With Fan Right Before Slamming Home Alley-Oop
On Saturday night, the Houston Rockets faced off against the rival Utah Jazz in an exciting matchup in which James Harden and Russell Westbrook came out on top. During one play, while standing near the sideline, Westbrook was caught talking to fans right before going backdoor and catching an alley-oop pass from Harden and dunking on the NBA's best rim protector, Rudy Gobert. Westbrook explained the interaction after the game.
Russell Westbrook on his interaction with a fan before alley-oop: “Before the oop, the guy was telling me ‘Shoot the 3, shoot the 3, Gobert is the best defensive player in the league’. I said ‘Okay, okay, okay’...While he was talking, I just went backdoor” pic.twitter.com/w6KXEP1ToX
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) February 23, 2020
Westbrook always has an extra layer of intensity when playing against the Jazz due to fights with fans and the general competitive nature. In this case, he shows the fans he doesn't care who is in front of him and that he'll score no matter what.
Nobody can stop Westbrook with the Rockets' new five-out strategy on offense, as it allows him to go iso against whomever is guarding him. With his speed and underrated strength, Westbrook can score on anybody, including a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the 7-foot-1 Gobert.
Russell Westbrook is shooting 14-26 from the FG (54%) when guarded by the 2x Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert this season
— ⚡️ (@TheWestbrookEra) February 23, 2020
Makes him look like an average defenderpic.twitter.com/6sTYi4tmlW
You know Westbrook is constantly feeding off of competitive energy, which is why he brings out the best when his team is in a tightly-contested matchup.