Oklahoman<\/a> columnist felt the wrath of Westbrook again after asking Steven Adams a legitimate question most of us wanted to hear from Westbrook's teammates: Steven, second time in three games you guys really struggled when Russell went to the bench. You were out there for part of it. What goes on when he goes to the bench, why is Houston so successful, and do you sense they sort of get an energy boost just from him going out of the game?<\/p>\nBefore Adams could even open his mouth, a fidgeting, throat-clearing Westbrook intercepted the question and made this statement.<\/p>\n
\"I don\u2019t want nobody to try to split us. We\u2019re all one team. If I go to the bench, and Steven\u2019s on the floor, if I\u2019m off the floor, we\u2019re in this together. Don\u2019t try to split us up, don\u2019t try to make us go against each other. Don\u2019t make it \u2018Russell and the rest of the guys\u2019 or \u2018Russell against Houston.\u2019 I don\u2019t want to hear that. We\u2019re in this together. We played as a team, and that\u2019s all that matters. That\u2019s it.\"<\/p>\n
Tramel replied by saying \"I'm not trying to split you up\" then repeated his question directly to Westbrook.<\/p>\n
\"Say, \u2018Russell, you ain\u2019t played well at all.\u2019 Say, \u2018Russell and the team hasn\u2019t played well.\u2019 Don\u2019t say, \u2018When Russell goes out the team hasn\u2019t played well.\u2019 We\u2019re in this together. It don\u2019t matter.\"<\/p>\n
Tramel replied \"That may be, but I asked Steven a question.\"<\/p>\n
An increasingly upset Westbrook came back with, \"It's not between me and you. Next question.\"<\/p>\n
After a few more \"next questions\" it sounded like somebody tried to take the mic from Tramel, who told the person, \"I think I'm going to keep the microphone. I had a question for Steven, and it wasn\u2019t answered. And I don\u2019t understand,
\nif Steven wants to say anything, he still hasn\u2019t said anything. If he wants to say, \u2018I don\u2019t want to answer that, fine.\u2019\"<\/p>\n
Steven shrugged his head and Westbrook once again said, \"Next question\" but with a please this time.<\/p>\n
I personally don't have an issue with either Tramel or Westbrook in this case. Actually, I think Tramell challenging Westbrook and refusing to give the mic up until he got the answer to his legitimate question was a Westbrook worthy move on his part. And I think Westbrook's answer might have been the most MVP worthy thing he's done all season.<\/p>\n
With that said, I still think Harden is the winner of the very close and exciting MVP race. I even have footage to prove it...<\/p>\n
BONUS VIDEOS<\/h3>\n