After Russell Westbrook's 54-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist performance on Sunday, some questioned the Oklahoma City Thunder star for attempting 43 shots. (He made 21 of them.) Noted shot taker Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' sidelined star, made his feelings on the matter perfectly clear on both Instagram and Twitter:
#StopIt pic.twitter.com/pPRO8BnF4P
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 13, 2015
Westbrook, for what it's worth, had a pretty much perfect response when it was brought up after the 116-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers:
Russell Westbrook on those who criticize his 43 shots: pic.twitter.com/HSdViYxCUg
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 13, 2015
Later on, Bryant followed up with a bit of trivia.
What ALL TIME Great went 19 for 43 in a game 3 nba finals loss? #lookItup #onlyringsmatter #byAnyMeans
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 14, 2015
And, not to toot our own Twitter horn, but Bryant retweeted @CBSSports' correct answer:
That would be a Mr. Michael Jordan. Iverson also went 18-41 in a Finals W over the Lakers. https://t.co/ZjNJarlBtD
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 14, 2015
Westbrook had 36 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in Oklahoma City's 101-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. He shot 13-for-27 this time. During the game, Bryant finished -- I think he's finished, anyway -- expressing his thoughts on the topic:
Ppl will always find a way to critique Only way to shut up critics is to WIN That's the challenge myself and Mj accepted #CantcritiqueRings
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 14, 2015
Bryant has long expressed his admiration for Westbrook's competitive spirit and aggressive on-court demeanor. He's also defended his own volume shooting over and over again. It makes a lot of sense for the future Hall of Famer to speak out about this.
