Photo Credit: Fred Katz video
A video of Russell Westbrook sprinting into the team’s tunnel toward the locker room was posted to Twitter by the Thunder’s official account. As Westbrook made his way off the court he yelled “thank you” to someone. The video began to spread on social media and many people believed Westbrook was shouting thank you to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who hit a game-winning shot to defeat Westbrook’s former teammate Kevin Durant and his new team, the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook, however, denies that’s what he said.
First try! Russell Westbrook warms up on Christmas Day. RT to #NBAVote for Russ for #AllStar. pic.twitter.com/5bqpbzkaQX
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 25, 2016
“What? F— do I look like? For real,” Westbrook said. “When would I ever say that? Clear what up? What video?”
Westbrook says he was thinking Jayme Sharpe, the daughter of Thunder trainer Joe Sharpe. Jayme can be seen sitting baseline in the video, right in front of where Westbrook took the shot.
“I would never say no other man’s name like that, for one,” Westbrook said. “‘Thank you Kyrie,’ who do I look like? I was talking to my trainer’s daughter, whose name is Jayme. Thank you, Jayme. I’m not going to keep going on that. I’m going to keep my spirit up because I’m not about to even involve myself in no dumb stuff like that. So next question, man.”
Some people still didn’t believe Westbrook, but the timing points to him telling the truth. Westbrook finished his pregame routine with the walk-off shot at about 4:02 p.m. local time. Irving hit his game-winner at 4:15 p.m.
Props to the brave reporter for asking, Westbrook isn’t the easiest subject to interview…
Russell Westbrook comments on the video of him screaming in the tunnel. (Some NSFW language here): pic.twitter.com/vcp6fdfoCU
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 25, 2016
