Westbrook: “I’m just ready to go”
Had a chance to catch up with Russell Westbrook at the end of practice today. We talked mostly about Wednesday night’s preseason opener against Minnesota and what the No. 4 overall pick expects in his debut.
Not sure yet if Westbrook is a little media shy or just prefers to not be very elaborate when speaking to the media. Maybe my questions were just bad. Either way, his responses were short and to the point. Here’s the conversation….
Q: What are your emotions like going into Wednesday’s preseason opener?
A: I’m excited to be on the floor and play. It’s the first game so I’m just ready to go.
Q: You haven’t seemed rattled or lost throughout the first week of practice. Are you as confident and poised as you seem?
A: Yeah. I think that’s one of the biggest keys, to go in and be confident. If not then things aren’t going to go so well. So I just go in and try to be confident in myself and always stay positive.
Q: Have you talked to (Minnesota rookie and former teammate) Kevin Love recently?
A: We talked a little bit but not that much. I’m going to talk to him later today and see what his doing, hang out probably.
Q: How close were you two in college?
A: Real close. That was my roommate the whole year so we were real close during the year and into the summertime.
Q: Have you guys kept in touch and shared stories about training camp and the start of your rookie years?
A: A little bit. Me and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute as well. We talk about how each other’s training camps are going.
Q: What has P.J. told you about the lineups tomorrow? Are you going to start?
A: I don’t know. He hasn’t said nothing about it. Wherever he puts me I’m just going to play basically. I’m just trying to get on the floor.
Q: What has he told you about what he expects in tomorrow night’s opener?
A: He hasn’t really told me nothing personally. He just told the team to go out and defend mostly. Defend in transition and just play basketball basically.
Q: What are your goals tomorrow?
A: I want to win basically. I want to just win. That’s one of my main things, just winning, trying to keep that going as a team and just continue to win.
Q: Are you looking to show your teammates and coaches something with your individual performance?
A: I’m just going to try to play my game. Certain stuff I do maybe people might not have seen. But I’m just going to go out and play my game and let the game speak for itself.
Q: What are you most looking forward to?
A: Just getting on the floor. The lights and the whole atmosphere and playing and things like that.
Q: Have the veteran guys told you anything about how to approach these first few games?
A: Not really. They just basically told me to go out and play my game and don’t think too much. If you think too much that’s when you mess up so just go out and play your game.
-DM-
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Comments
check out the look on that kid’s face that’s getting dunked on! he’s looking at the floor to see where to fall… and i don’t think his arms were in the best position to attempt a block…
Russell sounds nervous and excited. What would you expect from someone about to fulfill their dream and play in their first NBA game.
westbrook is a dud. terrible pick with so much resources to get a better player. losing will last awhile then maybe a move to another city? i am sure this is just a novelty then what? tradition and honor will always be remembered while pawning a team from place to place is just a game.
Go OKC Potatoes!!!