Russell Westbrook is the straw stirring the Thunder's rivalries

Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have developed many strong rivalries throughout the league, including with Kevin Durant's Warriors and Joel Embiid's 76ers. [OKLAHOMAN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION]LOS ANGELES — It started with a wave, seemingly a blip on the radar of nearly a decade of Thunder dominance over a twice-a-year passerby Eastern Conference opponent.

Mistake. Lesser gestures have set off Russell Westbrook.

Joel Embiid knows now. He probably doesn't care, but as Westbrook said “Oklahoma City, two to zero.” Embiid was guilty of waving Steven Adams off the floor when the Thunder center fouled out during a triple-overtime thriller in December. Then in January, Embiid dunked and…