Russell Westbrook Thought He Was Going to Get Fouled, So He Threw Up a Halfcourt Shot with 2:26 Left in the Third

Russell Westbrook must have heard the Spurs plotting to foul him, right? It looks as if Gary Neal of San Antonio is going to foul Westbrook as he crosses halfcourt late in the third quarter, but as Neal comes in, Westbrook decides to throw up a shot in hopes of getting three free throws. A funny thing happened on the way to the line … the refs didn’t call a foul. The shot missed badly. I’m torn between this being a smart, heady play by Westbrook … and the refs botching it for not calling a foul on Neal.

San Antonio rolled, 105-93, and the Thunder had 17 turnovers and 16 assists. Westbrook had a rough night – 11-of-27 shooting.

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12 Responses to “Russell Westbrook Thought He Was Going to Get Fouled, So He Threw Up a Halfcourt Shot with 2:26 Left in the Third”

scripty Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 9:34 AM

In Lebron’s last year in CLE, the Cavs were beating the tar out of somebody (Wizards?) who decided to go hack-a-shaq on Ben Wallace – committing the off-ball violations. Lebron saw them running over to foul Wallace and shot the ball from just inside half-court (cant recall if he made it) to create an away from the ball foul. Refs really fucked that up too.

rittyrich Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 9:40 AM

This should be called the same way flops should be called – don’t blow the whistle.

golfercraig Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 9:52 AM

11 of 27 shooting is about the norm for him. He’s a career (and 12-13) 43% shooter. If he makes one more shot, or doesn’t take that ridiculousity above, he’s right at his career number. Which is horrible. Which is why, for the 3rd year in a row, the Thunder are a horrific Donnie Boyce-like injury to Westbrook away from winning the title.

VladimirCrouton Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 9:54 AM

When do the Conference Finals start?

KC Resident Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:02 AM

This should be called the same way flops should be called – don’t blow the whistle.

No kidding. That was as lazy as it was pathetic.

chicago Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:10 AM

Missed call by the refs.

A.P. Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:14 AM

Durant/Ibaka/Martin had 29 FG attempts combined. Westbrook, again, shot his team out of the game. Spurs were very efficient, especially Splitter, who had his way with Perkins

hussler2 Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:19 AM

It looks like he was going to foul him…but then really didn’t. On the replay it looks like he barely makes any contact.

rockchalk101 Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:36 AM

Considering how many God awful shots Westbrook takes a game I’d chalk this up to him just being an idiot.

squawkbox Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 10:52 AM

So just come out and say what a lot of us have been thinking …

He’s a chucker.

/ All these years I’ve been chuckin’ and you’ve never told me?

vajayjay redick Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 11:10 AM

Which is why, for the 3rd year in a row, the Thunder are a horrific Donnie Boyce-like injury to Westbrook away from winning the title.

Yeah i’m sure the Heat will really struggle against OKC having to defend one player the entire series.

SportsIndustrialComplex Says:
March 12th, 2013 at 11:40 AM

Considering how many God awful shots Westbrook takes a game I’d chalk this up to him just being an idiot.

Most selfish player in the league. When Sefolosha drew a 3-second that erased two of his points when they were up by 30, he reacted like he was being dipped in acid.