Westbrook's Thunder lose Game 4 to Blazers - Cris and Nick react | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

[@FirstThingsFirst]

Who will win Game 5?

[@D2255]

Rip City

[@KamaraUS]

Nah i got the Steelers beating the ravens

[@dallascowboysfan4-life330]

@K Noche/ Who will Win game #5 between the Portland Trail-blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder ? Pick One they Said ! Portland is Up in that Series 3 Game's to 1 Game over Oklahoma, and they're heading back to Portland Oregon for Game #5 !

[@jordan2447]

Okc I believe okc is a comeback team just attack the paint we have too much athletics to to be jacking up 3s. Only ferg and pg need to shoot 3

[@syuy4430]

WESTBREAK TRIPLE DOUBLE

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

Durant asked management and coaching to change the play calls at the end of games but they refused. kd begs the front office to keep harden for only 4 million but they said it would affect russ mins and at that point kd checked out. russ is like the front office they can't change

[@benjaminforbes3263]

LeeTravius Mckay kd is a 🐍 but I never blamed him for wanting to get up out of okc, it’s where he went that rubbed me the wrong way

[@alexthompson7339]

not true. harden wasn't given the money because management didn't want to pay into the luxury tax not because of westbrook's minutes. All 3 of them were playing 30 mins a game

[@legacy8171]

​@benjaminforbes3263 it's been years. Get over it.

[@varelasemedo8780]

Colin cowherd is gonna have the time of his life.

[@kjyap4191]

Lol. Somtimes he is right though, like 70%

[@CMoney-ze1rv]

He already got the lotion ready! 👋

[@louisvelez40]

The thing is Russell needs a life coach. What I mean is a coach to hold him accountable because he is incapable of correcting that selfishness in himself. Scott Brooks and Billy Donovan have allowed Russ to play his style for years, not implementing a system, play Russ so many minutes , and afraid to tell him his style is not winning basketball. It hasn't produced to winning. Russ continues to make these playoff matchups about the individual. Rubio last year, allowing Donovan Mitchell going off and getting upset in 6 with PG and Melo. Russ vs Harden 2 years ago even if the Thunder weren't as talented. Right now vs Dame. Lillard is getting other guys involved, Blazers have a little more depth than OKC and a balance, plus Dame is doing the intangibles in this series. Triple Doubles with bad shooting is not equating to wins. Without KD this will be his 3rd straight year as a former MVP losing in the 1st round. Even Russ's midrange shots he's missing more than in years past, and we know he has never been a great 3pt shooter let alone shooter period. Also the Pick n Roll defense with Adam's in the 2nd half of this game was atrocious on Dame Dollaz.

[@Christhedon96]

Louis Velez 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@aaronsullivan6428]

To add on what you wrote hes not even been able to average his usual triple doubles in this series because of his poor play and shooting. Giving the Blazers credit too for keeping him off the glass for the most part and making him a passer or terrible outside shooter theyve limited his fast break and driving chances

[@MrArchlight450]

Avant Campbell then state the “non facts” don’t just say they’re not facts.

[@RRRoland1130]

Louis Velez I am a born / raised Sooner (Okie). I’ve been a Thunder fan since their “birth” as a franchise. Westbrook and his “enablers” have driven me away. I will not support the Thunder until Westbrook is gone. He is selfish, arrogant and extremely thick-headed. Westbrook has clearly proven himself to be un-coachable, in fact, Westbrook is a coach killer. In my case, a fan killer. I’m done with OKC. Westbrook has a basketball IQ that would be less than 70. That IQ was probably about 70 when he arrived in OKC as rookie. The Thunder has not won 2 playoff games in a row since KD left. The Thunder has not won a road playoff game since KD left. Let those 2 facts sink in.

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

I don't blame kd for leaving

[@rg7535]

No one does. People blame him for joining a 73-9 win team.

[@N8veJay]

You can only blame for the team he went too, but he made the right choice to leaving OKC... for great reasons

[@rg7535]

@@N8veJay True, but I've never seen anyone blame him for leaving OKC, only for joining the Warriors. At least, as far as I can remember.

[@spurfan76]

Kd saw it coming!

[@vidhujha8310]

Im just here for the russ comments 😂😂 BRING IT ON!!

[@akeemMagic01]

He's a bum

[@clsupreme7408]

I’ve been telling my boys all season that PG’s gonna regret his decision after the 1st round of the playoffs when they’re bounced out. I love Westbrook but he’s not built 2 lead a team in the post season

[@Broganshire]

Imagine if PG would have Signed in Portland and played Small Forward...

[@Christhedon96]

Intelligence Injection you really think he happy they getting bounced in the first round after last seasons end. 😂

[@clsupreme7408]

Chris R. Thank u sir. I don’t respond to stupidity so I’m glad u interjected

[@clsupreme7408]

Logan Cheshier that would be amazing...if he could stay healthy

[@chavy_chavs]

CL Supreme except PG is playing trash too

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Can we give Portland some props too? Kawhi should look at Portland, it is west coast culture but small market. It'd be perfect for him and they would be championship contender instantly if he joined them. Traffic in LA sucks.

[@brianseo8497]

Russ is not a winner. He’s selfish and doesn’t know his limitations and that will hurt him.

[@naquoashuey2794]

Clyde Drexler put up 22, 10 and 7 against Penny Hardaway in the 95 finals. He was 32-33 years old and still a great athlete. When he was in his 9th season he was runner up for MVP.

[@onebuffalo5402]

Lol mark cuban words hitting home when he said years ago that Russ isn’t a “superstar”

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

Fun fact the thunder haven't made it passed the first round since kd left

[@OGverde12]

Yea but then they tell us KD can't carry a team 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

[@alit5563]

Fun fact: Thunder haven’t won an away game since KD has left Edit: in the playoffs

[@alit5563]

Fun fact: Thunder haven’t won back to back games since KD has left In the playoffs.

[@donthetravelagent]

KD is only doing good because he went to an elite team. If you remove Russ from OKC and insert KD it would be the same outcomes

[@donthetravelagent]

@Brandon Smith With that being said he still would not win at OKC by himself.

[@pnoyzz]

Come on guys Harden and KD are ballin now since they left OKC. I guess OKC traded the wrong players. LOL tough luck.

[@ShugoGamer]

Eddie Apoderado KD has been balling his whole career and he chose to leave he didn’t get traded

[@tribalblaze65]

U forgot serge Ibaka, oladipo, ReggieJackson etc!

[@ryannichols8315]

And this is why KD left. KD plays the game right, he doesn't look to be the hero. Westbrook would ruin Golden State.

[@raejonnriggins]

Ryan Nichols true if Kerr wasn’t the coach.

[@whisperingeye5527]

Dirk once dropped 48 in the playoffs vs OKC on 15 shot attempts. Goat

[@my-1903]

I REFUSE to say Russ is a superstar when he can’t even make it past the first round without KD

[@jixyana2145]

Westbrook has more emotion but less IQ

[@willemdee]

Fun fact: Westbrook is the problem.

[@Uryū_Ishida3]

@Chris Injeian no he isn't. Swap Russ with Curry and your team improves.... swap Russ with Kyrie and your team improves.... swap Russ with CP3 and this team Improves.

[@senseiadam-brawlstars9465]

@Kyle Jones you read his comment? He said if you put curry/kyrie/CP3 in OKC instead of Russ, your team is better.

[@truestdude]

Lol!! But so is Paul wt his Russell lap riding self now. Next question. How bout next season? As far as Portland is concerned...Next Round 😎

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

Russ has never had someone hold him accountable whether it be a coach or player that's the difference

[@OCPARKWAY]

5 years 206 million for Westbrook...The Thunder gave him too much and are stuck with him for awhile

[@skevincampbell]

CC nails Westbrook.

[@carltonfripp8407]

PG picked the wrong team.

[@kayele]

Shoulda came to the sixers

[@InvestBetter.]

KD was 100% right. After 6-7 years, he was tired of watching Russ dominate the basketball, and miss shots KD could make in his sleep Leaving was the best thing for KD. Russ can't even hit FT anymore. He's shooting 65%? He is not a leader, and neither is Coach Donovan, or Scottie Brooks, before him. OKC can't win.

[@futtbucker1011]

And people wonder why KD left tough playing with someone too stuck in their own ego

[@futtbucker1011]

Mugen 😂😂😂😂😂 ninja turtle

[@kaytowns9484]

Na it's more of why he left and joined a 10 all star team. People could care less if he joined any other team other than the warriors or with lebron.

[@futtbucker1011]

kay towns but lebron played with Ray Allen DWade Bosh all HOFers what’s the difference?

[@futtbucker1011]

kay towns recruited them nonetheless Warriors scouted KD not the other way around

[@MysticMech]

Russ and his Ego, go hand in hand. He's not changing. He is who he is. Jekyll and Hyde.

[@detailsmove]

I would've chosen Blazers over Thunder if it weren't for the Jusuf Nurkic injury, but it's a nice surprise to still see them excel after it

[@devsouthery3264]

We need to trade westbrook

[@userdub9022]

No one will want him tho. He's on a supermax, and is super inconsistent

[@jaysdad420]

For John Wall....

[@mscottlawrence2037]

Okc might win game 5 but obviously okc isn't gonna win the next 3 games lol

[@scottgreen4076]

I totally agree w/Chris Carter as it relates to the interview commitment!!!

[@bofi1280]

Even though I'm not a huge OKC fan, I always try to have faith in Russ during the playoffs. But it seems that for some reason, he always comes up short when it matters the most. :(

[@davidclive7847]

Okc still blaming Melo for there playoffs crumble?

[@LukeFX1111]

KD is smiling right now lol....I still think his move was weak though.

[@LukeFX1111]

@ReturnoftheBrotha Yeah but his legacy will always be tainted because he joined the team that beat when he was up 3-1, and was already a title contending championship roster.

[@ukachukwuokemadu2890]

Lol Nick Wright was like Russ is turning himself into a dinosaur 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ukachukwuokemadu2890]

@Phenom AL 🤣🤣🤣

[@Futballr420]

Russ is a superstar and will be remembered as a legend. I heard a great analogy from Broussard saying he’s going to be remembered like iverson or Vince Carter. Btw dame is the third best PG in the league and has been. Love watching his game, he has no wasted movement when he has the ball.

[@vicovilla9310]

Russ uncoachable and PG made a bad decision resigning with them!!!

[@mrpzpdx]

I think his defense has been really good. Dame and CJ are just elite scoring that have made tremendous plays and tough shots. Just gotta shake their hand and say great game tonite. Is what it is. I bet he’s gonna going to the off-season focusing on getting more consistent at his shooting. It’s clearly become something he needs to put some extra time into.

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Every OKC playoff game makes Kevin Durant look better and better.

[@kasimk4]

That's because he is and forever will be better than westbrick, and it proved him about Westbrook and the rest of the team he was on. Its him or westbrick per se, who outside of them could keep them afloat fi they sat.

[@chron151]

Good point about athleticism and size. Be very afraid if Giannis gets a reliable jump shot and a refined post game.

[@ronnyjoe230]

As a spiteful laker fan.... good. Have fun pg. Could of been with bron. Def would of had a better chance for the next 3 years

[@tigerhoods7927]

Im a Westbrook and Paul George fan but I. Don’t think this duo can work in the playoffs

[@INSPECTORZAP]

Blazers best the Thunder! Now it is 3 Games to 1. And all the media talk about is MVP Westbrook and his faults. How about we talk about the team that is winning? If the Thunder were up 3 to 1 they would talk about the Thunder. SMH.....

[@tylerhatch8962]

CC is 100% right about those press conferences

[@jordaneason5658]

Y’all gotta give some blame to the coaching staff and to the role players. A starting shooting guard gives you 3 points in 35 mins. A center who is better then all of Portlands gives you 6 and gets out rebounded. The thunder are the most athletic team in the league, but they don’t use it. Gotta have more from the bench and the role players too. Russ is off, he has been off all season, it’s not shocking, but y’all don’t say anything about any other super star players.

[@InvestBetter.]

8:00 The difference in regular season and post season is the pace of the game slows, and the better half court teams, offensive and defensive, win the games. In the half court offense, you have to take good shots, and hit good shots. Russ won't take good shots or hit good shots. He can't just run through half court defenses against top teams. They know what he can and can;t do, and he's losing games for OKC with his limitations

[@ElohimPenemue]

Playoff Rondo >>> Russell Westbrick

[@userdub9022]

Playoff Rondo is better than most point guards

[@luislacayo9293]

His teammates are not making wide open shots! You cannot win this way. Look at their stats!

[@youknow12341000]

PG made a big mistake..... should’ve gone to LA. LeBron is so far past Westbrook, their young players are getting better..... PG would’ve made the Lakers a competitive team in the West

[@rk9515]

Can anyone tell me how PG is playing though? I haven't been able to catch the games.

[@jaysenpeters2174]

Russ isn’t overrated, Blazers are just playing team basketball

[@thepeoplesmix9779]

Well Nicks point at 2:00 is straight stupid lol Dame is not in a tier below Westbrook never was for the past 2-3 seasons wtf. He for a player you don’t know what you gonna get in the playoffs Dame Kawhi and Giannis have been the three best playoff performers so far. Dame is in fact a superstar top 7-8.

[@cryogeneric]

Why does anyone talk about Westbrook having a "bad shooting night" like it's something that doesn't happen very often? He's not a shooter and he never was. Sure, he get lighting hot, but he never sustains that enough to have an impact in the playoffs.

[@soupkilla9]

Shooting 40 percent and putting in 15 ft attempts is still great. But going 5-21 and 14 is unacceptable for Rus

[@SpiritualSchmuck]

Deplorable shot selection. He's not honest with himself and not being held accountable for bad shot selection. This is a make or miss league and he's mostly missing. It's okay if he's paid like a number 3 guy and shoots less, but that's not what it is. Lakers have issues but they have alot more hope than the Thunder. I'm betting Paul will wishe he choose them. At some point Paul has to be thinking oh... So this is why K.D. left.

[@SasukeUchiha-nv3oo]

This is a hard pill to swallow for me as a fan. I'm sure it's hard for Russ too, but he does at some point have to learn how to manipulate the game differently. It does start with his attitude. He's got a lot of pride, which he should with the work that he brings to the table but he's gotta figure out the rest of it. I'm sure he knows that. I'm also sure he realizes that he's shooting bad but I can assure you no one is more disappointed and frustrated with their performance than himself. The only way he can be roped in at this point is by someone he respects.

[@andrewbulos6752]

I don't cheer for either team, but I'd rather have Dame over Westbrook

[@Tom-uq8gb]

Westbrook is a disappointment

[@williamdiaz2645]

And PG13 went there to win a Championship.

[@bossngga5788]

😂

[@sydguitar99]

People. Need to stop defending russ.

[@SasukeUchiha-nv3oo]

Tramel called KD Mr unreliable. That's what ruined their relationship.

[@johnb3898]

I agree with everything else, but James Harden is not efficient. He takes and makes bad shots at a higher percentage than Russ, but not so much higher that you would call him efficient.

[@louisvelez40]

PG doesn't get a pass either, he is hurt and I believe it is a torn labrum he may have, but this my turn deferring offense with Russ is not working. Notice also that Ferguson and Grant shoot more corner 3s than any other 3pt shot on the floor. Yes it's the easiest shot, but it's because they're inefficient from other 3pt spots and they're not prolific 3pt shooters. PG is not about the superstar limelight, it's why he signed with OKC, he can skate through without blame if he plays terrible. Coming down the floor to just dribble and shoot 3s is predictable. Blazers played great defense and Russ and Steven Adam's Pick n Roll defense was atrocious in the 2nd half guarding Lillard. Russ would be on an island and Adam's wouldn't make an effort to contest at times on the switch.

[@mauricenicholson4331]

Louis Velez if he had a torn labrum he wouldn’t be able to play at all. The more he plays with it the worse it would get and he also throwing down dunks to end a game with ease. So either it’s minor or he dealing with it but it isn’t really effecting him

[@louisvelez40]

@@mauricenicholson4331 I agree it looks minor, which is why I say he may have

[@BLinX神]

Westbrook didn't affect KD's performance back in OKC, only the game result.

[@youngfreshjr595]

Some players think stats first title contention second. .. sad but true

[@darthmarr9886]

Don't blame just on Westbrook and/or PG13 , their coaching staff is trash too. Billy Donovan is less then an average coach.

[@eramsey1982eram]

Russ goes super hard 82 games a year ..when playoff time comes those legs are fatigue and Russ needs to learn how to balance his attack or game the man is Tired and starts relying on those long jumpers and that's on Russ

[@Gugleyahoo]

So the other teams in the playoffs don't have to overcome fatigue? No judgement to you; but this is the type of lead into what makes Westbrook attitude today. He needs to be held accountable and less enabled. Period.

[@timothystafford3161]

Just look at Olidipo. Ascending guard in Orlando, afterthought in OKC, better than Russ in Indiana. Russ is the most inefficient ball dominant guard since old Kobe. It's disgraceful. The list of OKC alums is like a dream team. Russ, grow up and be humble ffs.

[@DonnellWrites]

Chris "Play the game the right way" Carter

[@henrim9348]

They keep talking about Russell success in the regular season. Portland is the higher seed, meaning more successful. Is being the 6th seed a success? OKC is in the same division as the Blazers and Nuggets. They are the 3rd best team in their own division. Success??? En serio?

[@DS-oo4es]

When Russ is doing great things everyone is on the wagon but as soon as things go wrong he is always the problem.

[@izzybizzy8898]

D S The only time he does great things is during the regular season

[@rhard007]

Russ "next question " move should cost him 1M each time he does it. The guy is a head case and giving him the superstar tag is a bit too much. The guy is a gunner with a bad aim.

[@geedunn7556]

Chris Carter made great points on Russ Behavior, and Nick Made sense on Russ numbers...Great segment!!!

[@Commenting800]

but some of those reporters questions are just dumb. like the the one who asked "why did you dunk"

[@dylansmith6491]

Crazy that someone can be wildly inconsistent while also averaging a triple double

[@xfactor1497]

Not surprised he has struggled without KD. KD is top 3, which is why we can't stand him going to Golden State. However, Russ was never built to be the best player on championship team. He's my favorite player because of his passion for the game but he's just not a good enough shooter to routinely lift his team the way that he would like to. Dame gave it to them in the third and they had no answer.

[@kasimk4]

The first part of your sentence was and still is a lie but the rest is ok

[@sacriches1865]

Westbrook tries 2 do 2 much.. he need 2 try 2 get 20 assists instead of throwing up 20 bricks.. its either time to move on and trade russ . Or bench him when he throwing up bricks

[@nateabraham]

This is one of the best summations I heard of Russ.

[@luzvel79tiscareno67]

Westbrook is a diva

[@Maruchiru]

KD made the right decision to leave OKC.

[@marcelocaraveo6028]

Russell still as stubborn as a 6 year old, hate to see it

[@Immovableobjects]

If you’re saying Dame somehow isn’t a superstar because of inconsistent playoff runs than PG isn’t a superstar because the only thing he’s show us is that he can’t make a shot in the playoffs.

[@setsunahei00]

Wait a minute Westbrook was on the UCLA basketball team and he was a late bloomer how? That was a basketball juggernaut when he was there wtf is Cris talking about? You don't just make that team at a whim.

[@Gugleyahoo]

I think he just meant he didn't come to the league traditionally with a lot of fanfare to start.

[@setsunahei00]

@@Gugleyahoo I suppose so.

[@Duchesnerecords]

Billy Donovan is the real problem

[@kaqueburlington4278]

lil sneezy you want Scott Brooks back?

[@ronwest5909]

well said chris russ should be shame of his self ego 35million and u not humble shame

[@lorshmev8146]

PG picked a first round exit vs a potential trip to WCF w bron kuz zo & ingram smh

[@UnexpectedWonder]

Cris dropped the Hammer down on him. LOL. :D

[@tunechidagoat7625]

All eyes on Westbrook right now and rightfully so but PG is not playing at a MVP level like earlier this year....maybe it’s that shoulder injury 🤷🏾‍♂️ he deserves some blame too 😏

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

Foh I disagree! 3 consecutive triple doubles season if anybody in the NBA could do that they would. He needs more help. Portland is a better team Coaching, bench etc can we stop beating him up so much.

[@jadenballentine1777]

Richard Soto he had 1 point in the second half. He’s consistently taking bad shots and plays at an unsustainable pace. When the thunder lose this series I don’t see how you can say it’s anyone other than Westbrook’s fault.

[@zuffyg4772]

OKC play style is designed for Russ to get trip-dubs. His teammates box out for him, he'll get his pts and ast regardless

[@theto-iii7590]

KD left because of Westbrook. But he won’t say it out of respect for their past friendship

[@CHICKNLEW]

I like Russ, but OKC won’t ever win a chip or even get out of the first round when he’s putting up field goal percentages like he has all season . Team sport , he plays as an individual.

[@cozy_von8032]

It’s like my dad always told me they’re guys that are built for the regular season and they’re guys that are built for the postseason

[@gainingground6844]

Chris Carter be blowin me .

[@Sgtbrown1]

It just shows how much better KD is than both PG and Russ, I love PG to death but if this team had KD instead we would be up , PG is inconsistent, shoulder injury or not, KD wouldn't shoot this bad plus he play the right way and he can score on whoever or whenever . Not to mention Russ make u wanna scream, the man needs to play team ball not Russ VS Dame , Dame know this, and it's why he killing russ playing smart and getting his teammates involved

[@hjkilburg5]

Ooh. Cold comparision by C.C. of Westbrook to KD

[@ottomation4251]

"Next Question"

[@rubengutierrez1766]

Carter right about Russ ability to read the defense. But Russ can envoke the fifth

[@mogtrader8]

A subjective reaction, because did not watch, so making a story. No analysis of the game and objective discussion of this series. But CC enjoying the scoffing, scolding, and the condescending aspect of every subject.

[@akilikwende1937]

Chris Carter is one of those type of company guys that players unions have issues with when uniting guys around an initiative due to him arguing the company's position even to his own detriment

[@mikemitchell9979]

When are we gonna start talking about the bad coaching scheme! Okc is not a 3 pt shooting team.. so why are they shooting 3s....switch it up...Donovan!

[@truestdude]

Westbrook: Next question Damian Lillard: Next round

[@gp63]

He's the classic' dominate off athleticism' physical specimen but has never evolved his game, never had the highest IQ especially for a point guard, and he's now north of 30. For someone who has proven to be this rigid over his career, it's not getting any better. And he's due like 47 million around the time he's 33/34. OKC is gonna have a hard time building a winner around an aging 'athleticism-based' guard with that kind of contract.

[@kevinparker3234]

Russell need to play like a real point guard make team better and pass the ball you cannot take more than 15 shots or its over