Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
The Denver crowd lustily booed Serge Ibaka when he pounded his chest Saturday after big plays in the Pepsi Center. Russell Westbrook received a similar reaction after a demonstrative display. Comment sections and message boards on Denver sports websites and blogs are aflame — as comment sections and message boards tend to be anyway — with criticism of Thunder players’ emotional outbursts.
Maybe they have a point.
First, I must state that in no way do I want the Thunder players to stop being demonstrative during emotional moments. Because I love it. I love Kevin Durant’s primal scream after dunks. I love when Westbrook or anyone else does the same. I love when Ibaka beats his chest or does Air Congo. I love it when Westbrook does his six-shooters routine or James Harden puts three fingers toward the floor when they hit a three. I love Nate Robinson’s wild gyrations and choreographed celebrations following just about anything positive that happens for Oklahoma City.
But I also recognize that if I make a list of NBA players in my head towards whom I have the most negative feelings, they tend to be the demonstrative types. Joakim Noah. Chris Andersen. Kevin Garnett. Jason Terry. And not only to those guys tend to be demonstrative, but that’s also the main reason I tend to dislike them. I don’t even really know why that matters.
(The closest equivalent I can think of stretches back to my OU days when, along with every other Sooner fanatic I know, it was automatic that we hated any white basketball player for Texas. Brian Boddicker and Brad Buckman, I’m looking at you and your alliterative names.)
Perhaps the Denver fans are just bitter that the Nuggets are down 3-0 in a series they expected to be more competitive. But their criticism of the Thunder players took me aback, mainly because that’s pretty rare to see so far.
The Thunder has emerged as the team that lots of folks have made their second-favorite after their own team. People seem to enjoy Oklahoma City’s style of play, the wholesome character displayed by the players and the “anti-Heat” vibe that comes from them. Other than those dimwits wearing Seattle SuperSonics gear who heckled the Thunder from prime seats at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, just about everyone who likes the NBA likes the Thunder too.
And you know what? I like that. I like being emotionally invested in the team that few people hate. I like hearing warm and fuzzy comments from media talking heads and regular people when they talk about the Thunder. I like the image that the team has that fits so well with what the Oklahoma City community would want from its team. I like that OKC doesn’t elicit boos and outright sports hate from opposing crowds like the Lakers and Heat.
Maybe the Nuggets series is a sign that this may not last very long. It’s easier to feel good about someone else’s team when they aren’t a true threat. If the Thunder advances far in this year’s playoffs and then turns into the annual contender most people expect they’ll be, people may not feel the same way about them. I don’t think they’ll ever be as loathed as Miami is now, but the voices of those who don’t like Oklahoma City may begin to multiply.
And the chest-beating, screaming and other demonstrative behavior appears to be contributing to that possible trend. When you’re mad because someone just posterized your favorite player in a big moment, it probably makes it worse if the guy then pops off a little bit. I wanted to scream Dec. 27 when Terry and Tyson Chandler were beating their chests in the closing moments of a Dallas win in Oklahoma City. I can see why Denver fans are upset right now with the youngsters on the Thunder.
But … I don’t really care. Haters gonna hate. The rest of us appreciate. Thirteen wins from the promised land.
I wouldn't hate the Thunder if I didn't love them so much, but I would hate Russell Westbrook if I didn't love the Thunder so much. He's over aggressive, reckless, arrogant, overly demonstrative, and incredibly distasteful. I'm from OKC, but currently live in another state, and watch all of the Thunder games on League Pass, frequently catching the Fox Sports affiliate from our opponent and if I had to point to one universal truism about the general basketball world's perception of the Thunder team, it would be that absolutely none of the other commentators can stand watching Russell Westbrook - for all of the same reasons from above.
Think about the emotions shown from our guys last night. When Durant hit that unbelievable difficult circus shot while getting fouled, he pumped his fist and yelled "and one" celebrating for a brief moment after making a challenging shot. Another instance: Ibaka blocks one of his five shots on the night and starts pounding on his chest, celebrating his remarkable post play from that game. Then think about how Westbrook reacts every single time he does anything right - with that over exaggerated scowl, holstering his six shooters, and talking trash with that 'you just wish you were as good as me' look on his face. The difference is when our other guys celebrate, they applaud themselves, their play, and it's relation to what it means for the team. When Westbrook celebrates, he demeans the opponent and appeals to his own ego. And to all of the people out there that think he's just a young player going through growing pains and figuring out how to become a star, I disagree with you that this is something that will pass. It's his nature to be like he is.
On top of that, he has no commitment to actually being a point guard and distributing the ball. He's there to score and everyone knows it. 30 shots in one game when you're supposed to be the facilitator? He's also chewed out Ibaka on numerous occasions over the last few games (when in actuality Serge has arguably been the player of the series so far) and gets into a heated exchange with Durant? Really? Out of all the poor decisions he made, the two bad three point shots at the end of the game really stand out particularly when you consider that the NBA's leading scorer finished 5/6 from the arc and somehow Russell still thought he was the better option at that point in time. What a pity.
DavyTheWise :@Perkins Game FaceWith you. I feel like the thunder players tend to celebrate with themselves and with their teammates rather than in attempt to show up the other team. they are just letting out their emotions. (on a sociological note, i think the younger generation,under say 25ish, of which i’m a part, are much more open-minded about speaking what they feel rather than putting up fronts all the time like our older counterparts. I think that has some contribution to this discussion. just a thought)
I agree. Mostly because they played with the same emotion (and did all the fancy hand-shaking pretip stuff) when they were a bad team. It's a unity thing, not a cocky thing.
@DavyTheWise
Honey badger eats black mambas!!
I'm a big fan of B.Griffin's staredown taunt after his dunks, mostly because no one does that. It's almost like he's saying "You see what just happened? You can't do SH!T about it."
Big men are supposed to supply the intimidation factor (like Perk) and BG plays to that role perfectly.
@Brad
Oh Russ is definitely more animated. Whether or not he's doing that to pump him or the team up or to show the other team up is just specualation. I don't think I would like Russ if I was a fan for another team. Especially after he does the six shooter celebration. That's a little much but I still get a kick out of it. Screaming or yelling I think is ok during a home game cause it seems like you feeding off the crowd's energy and just letting that out. On the road it seems like you're doing it to show off or make a good play a much bigger deal than it really is.
If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen. I guess is essentially what i'm saying.
Same goes for this new CFB rule change about taunting. Super lame.
I'll tell you who always bothered me with emotion... Or actually there lack of... JEFF GREEN... I would just always watch him and be like come on man.. Be mad, happy, sad, show something please!
@Brad
Westbrook is definitely the outlier of the group, but hearing and seeing him celebrate isn't the same as trying to keep your soul inside your head from getting stared at right after getting posterized. Neither of them really bother me that much, because i think they are men and they can handle themselves.
DavyTheWise :@Perkins
Game Face
With you. I feel like the thunder players tend to celebrate with themselves and with their teammates rather than in attempt to show up the other team. they are just letting out their emotions.
Russ does just as much as Blake does in celebrations. He's probably more animated, more cocky, and makes more of an attempt to let the other team know what he did.
@Perkins Game Face
With you. I feel like the thunder players tend to celebrate with themselves and with their teammates rather than in attempt to show up the other team. they are just letting out their emotions. (on a sociological note, i think the younger generation,under say 25ish, of which i'm a part, are much more open-minded about speaking what they feel rather than putting up fronts all the time like our older counterparts. I think that has some contribution to this discussion. just a thought)
All that needs to be said about this topic is that I loved Chris Paul when he played in OKC and there's not a player in the NBA I hate more than him, now.
What's weird is that I'm starting to dislike Blake Griffin because of his staring at the end of dunks but if he were to yell or beat his chest I don't think it would bother me lol. The staring just gives me the impression that he thinks he's too cool to show you any emotion after one of his dunks and that the stare says it all. Man that bothers me....
Of course we would hate them. I dont think I even like any players who aren't on the Thunder. They're all either enemies (Chris Paul) or potential enemies (everyone in the eastern conference)
I find this quote interesting: "But I also recognize that if I make a list of NBA players in my head towards whom I have the most negative feelings, they tend to be the demonstrative types. Joakim Noah. Chris Andersen. Kevin Garnett. Jason Terry. And not only to those guys tend to be demonstrative, but that’s also the main reason I tend to dislike them. I don’t even really know why that matters."
I think it's a personality thing, because I love every player you mentioned. I LOVE EMOTION on a basketball court. I love it when it's clear to me that what is happening on the court matters to the players involved. If players play with a "there are bigger things in life" attitude (which is an argument blog commenters use all the time when people get "too serious". It's an argument I hate because it is both arrogant and ironic in nature) I'm more apt to not like them (cough.... Jeff Green... cough). NBA History has taught us that more often then not if you don't really care, you don't often win.
I want Lakers fans to hate us cause that will be the sign that they know their dynasty is about to end. I wonder if Boston fans would hate us if we won the title. Or would they just hate Ainge for giving us Perkins?....
Sometimes getting beat by the nice guy is more annoying than getting beat by the scumbag. Kevin Durant would be infuriating as an opposing team's fan because there's no real reason to not like him other than what he's doing to you on the court.
I'll be honest, while I love all of our players, I would probably hate Russ if I liked another team
Honey Badger also has a bit of a turnover problem if you watch the video, so it really does fit nicely.
@Thunderman
@DJ 7
Lol thanks, i'll check it out. I'm at work now, so no Youtube for me... :(
I think the emotion they are showing is great, especially in CFB country, where now even looking at the crowd after a play warrants a 15 yard penalty.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
That vid is AWESOMENESS! Thanks!
Not on board with this honey badger mumbo jumbo
Were not perfect but Denver fans - or any fans of a team down 0-3 - can hardly be an accurate barometer for how we are universally perceived
My favorite honey badger video - narrated by Randall - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
NSFW for language
@DJ 7
you missed the extended scene where the honey badger tries to take on three lions at the same time while ignoring help from his wingman, but like the video says, honey badger just dont give a shit.
DavyTheWise :Hey whats they deal with calling Westbrook HoneyBadger… i gotta say, i don’t get it. Anyone care to explain for me?
Someone Tweeted that Westbrook reminds them of a Honey Badger, then Sammy brought it on here. After that someone posted a video of a Honey Badger. Little did we know, Honey Badger is a fearless, crazy mothereff, that sticks it to everyone. Kinda like Westbrook. I mean the Badger eats a Cobra, Attacks a bee-hive, and faces two Lions face to face and scares them away.
As an ex-Sonics fan, I hope they hate us for years, just like I hated the Nuggets after the first round upset, and Dikembe's wagging finger!
The official Thunder site just posted 3 good videos - got a really good one with Perk about 7 minutes long. I could listen to Perk all day.
i need someone to make a shirt that has an action hero theme with the honey badger, a durantula, and maybe harden as a centaur or serge as pegasus. Get it done.
@DavyTheWise
Look up honey badger on YouTube.
I think I missed this conversation, but where did the name "Honey Badger" come for Westbrook?
Also, check out this article on ESPN. More specifically, check out the comments people have for the Thunder. =D
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?page=5-on-5-110425
Hey whats they deal with calling Westbrook HoneyBadger... i gotta say, i don't get it. Anyone care to explain for me?
can we get an "OKC HoneyBadgers" tree and leaf shirt?
I know I would hate it if another team beat my team five times in a row and pounded their chest doing it. But I wonder if the nuggets in their frustration don't say things or do things that might cause Russel and Serge to stick it in their eye a little bit after a monster dunk or big three.
"So what she/he keeps talking about you and hating on you. What do you think a hater's job is...to hate. If you have someone hating on you right now you better think of how to get five more people hating by Christmas. You need haters to make you stronger..without haters most people wouldn't try to become better. Just tell them bitch you just hate me because you can't be me." - More complete Katt quote
The Nuggs have no class. They tried for the gamesmanship angle to get themselves motivated. They tried to play the refs. They tried sitting starters. They tried everything they could think of and the Thunder still out played them.
After the run they had to end the season, it HAD to hurt. Had to. Denver fans will forever hate OKC after this series.
Meanwhile, the dual source of my previous hate for Denver has moved east. Poor Denver. Poor, poor, Denver.
Good stuff, Patrick! Let's all just focus. 3 down, 13 to go!
If the Thunder ever get to the point of not respecting the opposition, sort of like Afflalo did after Game 3, then I would have a problem. I don't think Presti and Brooks would stand for that kind of junk, especially out in the media.
HoneyBadger :Its not really “hate” hate…its “sports hate.” With success comes the haters…as long as we love’em that is all that matters. Thunder Up and be a Honey Badger….
Your name says it all!!!
If you don't have anyone to hate, feel free to hate on me - Katt W.
Its not really "hate" hate...its "sports hate." With success comes the haters...as long as we love'em that is all that matters. Thunder Up and be a Honey Badger....
Kobe, Wade, and LeBron all whine more than Durant, IMO.
Voices of dislike for OKC will multiply regardless. That's what happens when you start winning.
Iblaka chest beating ftw
When it comes down to it, don't care if other fans or teams hate us. Just respect the team and it's fans. I think that's what's missing from the Nuggets and their fans right now. I could care less if they hate us and the thunder but show some respect....
I think it's fair to say Russ and Serge might piss me off. But that's sports.
However, if I'm a Nuggs fan, I'm pretty embarrassed about the way my team whined and made excuses at every turn while the Thunder players showed some class (off the court and in the press) and let their game do the talking.
@Bryan</
Agreed
They'll hate us until we play a team they hate more, then they'll temporarily love us again. That's what fans do. Take me for example, I kinda hate the trailblazers, but I pull so hard for them whenever they play the Lakers.
@Mark!
This is a list of my favorite NBA players: all with passion, talent, energy and the will to win.
Who don't I like? Talented but passionless guys like LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Bosh. Or overrated ball hogs like Vince Carter and Carmelo.
@Greg
I'm pretty sure if I rooted for another team, KD would send me through the ceiling. He's less demonstrative than Pierce, but KD collects so many fouls.
Just IMO. Also, upon reflection, I have to give the 1st team nod to Pau over Garnett. I can't stand that guy.
I think we will illicit more hate as we beat more teams in the playoffs and especially the ones in our division. In either case, i would absolutely hate the thunder now if I were the nuggets or another team playing them. Im still pissed about carlos boozer staring down ibaka last year after dunking on him. After ibaka finger wagged at the nuggets, i would have blown a fuse and then proceeded to call okc a hick town....cause im immature like that.