Rumor that Perkins was hard on Russell Westbrook

[The Walker Wiggle]

Anybody catch this from yesterday's New York Daily News?

After arriving from the Celtics last season and being looked at as the veteran leader Oklahoma City needed to take the next step to compete for a title, Perkins went hard at Westbrook with his verbal criticisms, often saying that the Thunder's playmaker couldn't match Rajon Rondo as a playmaker. Those words didn't sit well with Westbrook, who already had been criticized for shooting too much and was the subject of a benching heard-round-the-NBA when the Thunder played the Mavs in June.

The Thunder gave Perkins a new four-year deal worth $35 million, so the team is committed to him. But it would like him to ease up on Westbrook. A lot.

[Kiorrik]

Wouldn't surprise at all.

[BASS_THUMPER]

never put down ya team mates

especially bein the new guy who didnt bring a whole lot to the table himself

[Celtics4ever]

I think if push comes to shove they would take Westbrook over Perk.   He is the more talented of the two.  Perk has a ring but Russell is an all star.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I think that was a bit of reverse psychology he most certainly should not have used! Don't boost up a former teammate, that can hurt your new teammate's psyche... probably left RW thinking 'this guy wouldn't go to bat for me, he doesn't believe in me!'. That could hurt a youngin' like RW.

[18isGREATERthan72]

It's true, but definitely not the right way to go about it.  Maybe talk to him in private, and let him know how much better it made the rest of his team when RR was looking to make plays for others, and how RW could look to incorporate some of that style (not all of it) into his own game.  RW is a different player, but there are some things he could take from Rondo's game that would improve his (and vice versa.)

[Roy H.]

Perk was complimented repeatedly for his leadership in OKC.  It sounds like, for whatever reason, Westbrook has a thin skin and Perk couldn't get through to him.

This is similar to KG barking at BBD, and Baby breaking down in tears.  I think that story reflected more poorly on BBD, and I think this one reflects poorly on Westbrook.  He needs to be mentally tougher.  That said, he isn't, which is probably why management wants Perk to back off.

[soap07]

Perk was complimented repeatedly for his leadership in OKC.  It sounds like, for whatever reason, Westbrook has a thin skin and Perk couldn't get through to him.

This is similar to KG barking at BBD, and Baby breaking down in tears.  I think that story reflected more poorly on BBD, and I think this one reflects poorly on Westbrook.  He needs to be mentally tougher.  That said, he isn't, which is probably why management wants Perk to back off.

Sorry, refresh my memory. Considering how poor Perk played in OKC, how is propping up a former teammate good leadership again?

[Roy H.]

Perk was complimented repeatedly for his leadership in OKC.  It sounds like, for whatever reason, Westbrook has a thin skin and Perk couldn't get through to him.

This is similar to KG barking at BBD, and Baby breaking down in tears.  I think that story reflected more poorly on BBD, and I think this one reflects poorly on Westbrook.  He needs to be mentally tougher.  That said, he isn't, which is probably why management wants Perk to back off.

Sorry, refresh my memory. Considering how poor Perk played in OKC, how is propping up a former teammate good leadership again?

He was using that as a motivational tool, trying to light a fire under Westbrook to be as good as Rondo.

You think Perk just randomly attacked Westbrook repeatedly?  And yet, after that, Durant praised him for his leadership?  Or, does it make sense that Perk was doing the exact thing he did here: trying to motivate his teammates vocally?

[Moranis]

Perk was complimented repeatedly for his leadership in OKC.  It sounds like, for whatever reason, Westbrook has a thin skin and Perk couldn't get through to him.

This is similar to KG barking at BBD, and Baby breaking down in tears.  I think that story reflected more poorly on BBD, and I think this one reflects poorly on Westbrook.  He needs to be mentally tougher.  That said, he isn't, which is probably why management wants Perk to back off.

Sorry, refresh my memory. Considering how poor Perk played in OKC, how is propping up a former teammate good leadership again?

He was using that as a motivational tool, trying to light a fire under Westbrook to be as good as Rondo.

You think Perk just randomly attacked Westbrook repeatedly?  And yet, after that, Durant praised him for his leadership?  Or, does it make sense that Perk was doing the exact thing he did here: trying to motivate his teammates vocally?

This is the team telling him to back off, not Westbrook.  I tend to think that makes Perkins look way worse then Westbrook. 

[Roy H.]

Perk was complimented repeatedly for his leadership in OKC.  It sounds like, for whatever reason, Westbrook has a thin skin and Perk couldn't get through to him.

This is similar to KG barking at BBD, and Baby breaking down in tears.  I think that story reflected more poorly on BBD, and I think this one reflects poorly on Westbrook.  He needs to be mentally tougher.  That said, he isn't, which is probably why management wants Perk to back off.

Sorry, refresh my memory. Considering how poor Perk played in OKC, how is propping up a former teammate good leadership again?

He was using that as a motivational tool, trying to light a fire under Westbrook to be as good as Rondo.

You think Perk just randomly attacked Westbrook repeatedly?  And yet, after that, Durant praised him for his leadership?  Or, does it make sense that Perk was doing the exact thing he did here: trying to motivate his teammates vocally?

This is the team telling him to back off, not Westbrook.  I tend to think that makes Perkins look way worse then Westbrook. 

Maybe.  Or maybe OKC realizes that they have a thin-skinned superstar, and they're going to try to handle him with kid gloves, even though the rest of the team responded to Perk.

Scott Brooks had issues with Westbrook, too.  The kid seems a little resistant to learning.

[indeedproceed]

I think this reflects very poorly on Westbrook and OKC, and has little to no effect on Perkins.

Westbrook didn't leave the playoffs smelling like roses, and he's supposed to be their second best player. He was outplayed by Harden as well as Durant, and was benched late in a playoff game.

Perkins' play wasn't very good down the stretch, but he was injured, and he isn't half as talented as Westbrook. saying Perkins should be ashamed of his play and should not have attacked Westbrook is like saying Kurt Thomas should be ashamed of his play, and shouldn't criticize Derrick Rose.

On top of that, Perkins went after Westbrook privately, within the circle of the team. It obviously shook Westbrook, who tattled to the team, and someone with the team tattled to the press, which was utterly idiotic. If they thought Perkins was surly before, just wait til someone starts telling him the team is playing politics games through the press. Big fella ain't gonna like that.

[Eja117]

If I remember correctly Perkins didn't have a reputation of being all cuddly. So they bring this guy in, he says what we're all thinking, Durant praises him, and they want him to let up because Westbrook cried a little? 

Something isn't adding up. Don't know what.

[barefacedmonk]

I think this reflects very poorly on Westbrook and OKC, and has little to no effect on Perkins.

Westbrook didn't leave the playoffs smelling like roses, and he's supposed to be their second best player. He was outplayed by Harden as well as Durant, and was benched late in a playoff game.

Perkins' play wasn't very good down the stretch, but he was injured, and he isn't half as talented as Westbrook. saying Perkins should be ashamed of his play and should not have attacked Westbrook is like saying Kurt Thomas should be ashamed of his play, and shouldn't criticize Derrick Rose.

On top of that, Perkins went after Westbrook privately, within the circle of the team. It obviously shook Westbrook, who tattled to the team, and someone with the team tattled to the press, which was utterly idiotic. If they thought Perkins was surly before, just wait til someone starts telling him the team is playing politics games through the press. Big fella ain't gonna like that.

TP.

[Tai]

If I remember correctly Perkins didn't have a reputation of being all cuddly. So they bring this guy in, he says what we're all thinking, Durant praises him, and they want him to let up because Westbrook cried a little? 

Something isn't adding up. Don't know what.

This and what IP said. TPs to both of you.

I also remember Westbrook getting benched in the playoffs. Scott Brooks can downplay it all he wants, but having Westbrook sit pretty much the whole 4th quarter in that playoff game was a big deal, and between that and Perkins telling Westbrook off, something's clearly up in OKC. I don't necessarily even know if it's Westbrook, cause there really isn't any proof that he leaked the news. I can assume SOMEONE did though.

That said, I can't blame this on Perkins if he's truly saying it how it is. He's clearly recognized as a leader on the team, so it's clear his opinion matters in OKC, even if not to Westbrook. They call Westbrook a PG, but he isn't seen as someone who can distribute the ball like someone should.