Back to the NBA Newsfeed

Westbrook's wars: How conflict elevates Russ and the Thunder

The second free throw was out of his hand for a millisecond, and Russell Westbrook was already turning toward the Portland Trail Blazers bench.

Blazers assistant coach Nate Tibbetts had said something that caught Westbrook's attention; nobody wanted to repeat what it was, but it was enough for Westbrook to chirp back. Referee Eric Lewis apparently didn't like what Westbrook had to say and handed out a technical foul.

"What?" Westbrook yelled. "He started it!"

The technical was rescinded a day later, but the altercation was just one of the many small and large battles that make up the never-ending wars of Westbrook.