NEW ORLEANS — Russell Westbrook remembers the boos.
He remembers them from a Western Conference semifinal Game 5 against the Spurs last season, before he slipped away for the game-clinching bucket. He remembers them from goaltending two halfcourt shots from Denver mascot Rocky, denying Nuggets fans free queso.
“I used to get booed in all arenas,” Westbrook said last week after the Thunder's emotion-filled game against the Warriors. “The tables (have) turned a little bit.”
Westbrook was specifically referring to Kevin Durant, but he may as well have been talking about the arc of his entire nine-year NBA career.