OKLAHOMA CITY — Emotions were on display Monday at Vivint Arena during Game 5 of the Utah Jazz versus Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series.
So much so, that Thunder star Russell Westbrook picked up his second foul late in the first quarter after trying to bully Jazz guard Ricky Rubio with over-aggressive defense.
Immediately after the play, the first person to jump in the face of Westbrook in defense of Rubio was Jazz forward Jae Crowder.
The enforcer role isn’t a front for No. 99. Standing up for teammates is simply what he does.