Thunder: In Thunder stint, Cole got feel for backing up Westbrook

Norris Cole, center, might not be in the plans as the backup to star guard Russell Westbrook next season. [PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN]Somebody will have the job next year.

Maybe it'll be Semaj Christon. Maybe it'll be Victor Oladipo. Maybe it'll be a player who's not yet in Oklahoma City. But someone will back up Russell Westbrook at point guard.

It seems a safe bet it won't be Norris Cole.

But the NBA veteran got a taste of the job this season in a short stretch with the Thunder, and he started to get a feel for a job that's simple, but — as Oklahoma City's first-round playoff loss to the Rockets indicates — significant.

“Any backup point guard, their job is to be solid,” Cole said.…