Russell Westbrook: Will OKC Thunder Point Guard Bounce Back After Being Benched?

It's no shock that Russell Westbrook didn't start for the Oklahoma City Thunder to begin the fourth quarter in Game 2 last night.

He had just botched a play and committed a turnover near the end of the third quarter. Westbrook cursed in disarray and took his place on the bench to cool off. 

It is also customary for the big time starters to sit early in the fourth to rest up and be ready for the final crucial minutes of the game. So when Westbrook didn't step out on the court at the beginning of the fourth it wasn't a huge surprise. 

However, Westbrook remained on the bench for the entire fourth quarter. The Thunder's all-star point guard saw no action in the most important part of the game. It was a must win game and head coach Scott Brooks decided not to play his second best player. How could this be?

Westbrook wasn't shooting as bad as he did in Game 1. He was playing well up until his mini freak out at the end of the third quarter. It's not like the game was a blowout. The Thunder only had a one-point lead to begin the fourth.

However, stellar bench play from Eric Maynor and James Harden won the game for the Thunder and kept Westbrook on the bench.  

Brooks made a good move not messing up the flow of the game. He told reporters after the game that he had to focus on winning the game. The bench players were playing very well. It's a bold move to keep Westbrook on the bench that long, but it paid off.

Even Kevin Durant agreed with what his coach did, telling reporters after the game he was supportive of Brooks. Per ESPN:

"

"We had a good start to the fourth quarter," Durant said. "You can't mess that chemistry up. Coach made a good decision by doing that."

"

Westbrook tried not to say much to reporters. He brushed off the issue saying he was glad the team won and that was that. 

Nobody but Westbrook knows how he truly feels about this situation. He may be super mad at what happened, or he could care less. 

Regardless of how he feels, he cannot let it affect his Game 3 play. The series is headed back to Oklahoma City and he needs to be playing at his best. Westbrook is far better than he has shown in this series. It's time to prove it. 

Westbrook needs to use him being benched as motivation. Come back strong and show everyone that you are the true point guard of this team and nobody else. You manage this team, now go out and do just that. 

Yes, Russell Westbrook will bounce back after being benched last night. He will make us forget that ever happened by putting on a stellar performance in Game 3. He can't afford to act childish or silly. This is the 2011 NBA Playoffs, not some regular season game. So much is riding on Game 3 and Westbrook must be the elite player that he is known for. 

Westbrook has received so much crap from the media throughout the playoffs. Can he fully brush it off and just play basketball? We'll find out on Saturday night, but I believe he does.