Russell Westbrook and Evan Turner appear ready to take on the world ahead of the NBA playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers guards shoved anyone in sight Sunday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena during a chippy moment in the teams’ final meeting of the regular season.
The incident occurred in the third quarter after Blazers power forward Ed Davis sent OKC swingman Terrance Ferguson to the floor with an over-the-back foul. Davis started the fracas by pushing Ferguson, and Westbrook and Turner then entered it, seemingly determined to win the shoving match at all costs.
Referees issued technical fouls to Turner, Westbrook, Davis and Ferguson but declined to eject any of them.
The Blazers would go on to win 108-105.
Turner explained afterward his role in the skirmish.
“I was just looking, my teammate was surrounded and that was it,” he said. “I saw a push and I just pushed the next two people I saw. Obviously, all that stuff is stupid, but you know, of course, there’s other ways to step up and draw the line.”
Turner, 29, remarkably then offered to pay any fine the NBA levies against Ferguson.
“He’s probably 10 years younger than me,” Turner said. “I told him I’d pay his fine, things just happen. It’s basketball, there’s nothing much more to it, clearly. I respect those guys over there, they compete, it’s just a hard-fought game, there’s really nothing more to really drag on from this, it’s a frat.
“I feel bad in general … Literally, I just pushed the first two people I saw. Me personally, I don’t feel any good about the pushing.”
Such is the wisdom that comes with age and NBA experience.
