PHOENIX – An hour after the game ended, Russell Westbrook finally left the practice floor inside the Phoenix Suns’ arena. As a riff on a ritual that he and his father utilized when he was a kid, Westbrook spent that time on the floor alone to center himself and assess his own play. When he came back to the locker room, he showed why he’s one of the most important figures on any NBA team, and why his leadership is crucial to the Thunder.
“We didn’t come out with a sense of urgency. That started with myself, just going through the motions,” Westbrook said.