Perkins frustrated with Westbrook's playing style

[AboveLegit]

As much as coach Scott Brooks chafes at GM Sam Presti’s meddling, his presence in the locker room, and his demands that the Thunder continue to improve from within, the organization is a lot more concerned with how Kendrick Perkins treats Russell Westbrook.

 

After arriving from the Celtics last season and being looked at as the veteran leader Oklahoma City needed to take the next step to compete for a title, Perkins went hard at Westbrook with his verbal criticisms, often saying that the Thunder’s playmaker couldn’t match Rajon Rondo as a playmaker. Those words didn’t sit well with Westbrook, who already had been criticized for shooting too much and was the subject of a benching heard-round-the-NBA when the Thunder played the Mavs in June.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/17/report-kendrick-perkins-was-kind-of-a-jerk-to-russell-westbrook/

 

While I agree that Westbrook does need to stop shooting so much and start playmaking more, Perkins should probably tone down the criticism because his play was nothing to brag about. Harden did a lot of the playmaking during the playoffs, that's not going to cut it, they need Westbrook to step up his play.

[Real Deal]

Sad thing is, I don't think Durant has the backbone to be able to handle a conflict like this in the locker room...at least not yet. He just doesn't seem like the guy that could step up and get everyone to shut up and listen to him.

 

So, I'm wondering, who will do that? Perkins has been in the league longer than everyone on this team, aside from Nazr Mohammed (don't think Mo Pete will be there next season). Would Nick Collison say something? He's been with the franchise longer than the rest of the team, six year vet.

 

It's just hard to swallow. Scott Brooks isn't Phil Jackson, so when these things happen, you'd have to wonder how detrimental they will be if they reoccur during the season.