Russell Westbrook slams 'obviously' dirty Warriors player
It seems like Zaza is at it again.
On a team with four All-Stars, it’s hard to get attention, especially on a night when said team won by 32 points.
But Zaza Pachulia has found a way.
Last year, the Golden State Warriors center was at the center of a major controversy in Game One of the Western Conference Finals, when he undercut San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard on a three-point attempt.
Leonard missed the rest of the series, and Golden State went on to win the NBA title.
On Saturday night, Pachulia was in the middle of things yet again by falling on the leg of Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook.
😲🤔 Zaza appears to intentionally fall on Russell Westbrook's legs 🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/D6U4DuUUyW
— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) February 25, 2018
Nobody touched Pachulia, making it appear as though he was intentionally trying to hurt the league’s reining MVP.
Westbrook seemed to agree, saying after the game he thought the the play was “obviously intentional.”
“Don’t ask me dumb questions. Obviously it was intentional.” Westbrook said. “Don’t ask me ‘was it intentional.’ Nobody touched him, he fell over my leg … tried to hurt me. But hey, that’s how it goes.”
Russell Westbrook on the play where Zaza Pachulia fell on top of him: "Obviously it was intentional."
Is Zaza a dirty player? "For sure." (via @NBCSWarriors) pic.twitter.com/ccMpVZfRU2
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) February 25, 2018
There’s no love lost between the Warriors and Thunder, stemming from their playoff match-up two years ago, followed by Kevin Durant switching sides last season.
Now, Zaza seems to have turned up the heat.
WARNING: The following tweet contains profane language that some viewers may find offensive.
ESPN asked OKC’s Paul George — who’s new to the rivalry — for his thoughts on the matter.
“You know Zaza,” George responded. “You know his history. You know nobody pushed him. He aimed where he was gonna fall. That’s Zaza making a Zaza play. He’s on the end of hurting a lot of guys.”
Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving chimed in from the East Coast.
Kyrie has some thoughts on Zaza Pachulia. pic.twitter.com/njkNh0zkMU
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) February 25, 2018
Oh, by the way, if the NBA Playoffs tipped off today, the first round matchup would be Golden State hosting Oklahoma City.
Of course it would be.
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