Oklahoma Thunder star Russell Westbrook’s attitude toward the media has ranged over the years from openly cantankerous to merely cool, but Steve Kerr believes Westbrook’s frequent “next question” approach is “dangerous for the league.”
Westbrook’s disdain for questions, particularly questions from Oklahoma City columnist Berry Tramel, isn’t just harmless or humorous, according to the Golden State Warriors coach. Westbrook’s “next question” responses, often delivered to the Oklahoman’s Tramel, have generated laughs. But Kerr warned on Sunday that the deflection creates a distance between athlete and fan, and that the NBA’s strong suit is a connection to players that, for instance, the NFL does not have.