“It’s only for Russell,” she said. The whole thing started almost five years ago. Clark and her husband, Gene, were Thunder season ticket holders from the beginning, snagging seats in the same lower-bowl section where they sat when the Hornets were in town. They hadn’t been NBA fans — the Oklahoma State Cowboys were their passion — but they took to the Hornets right away. Same with the Thunder. The players quickly became beloved by the Clarks. Then during the 2009-10 season, Westbrook became a lightning rod for criticism. He shot too much. He didn’t let Durant shoot enough. He played with a chip on his shoulder. He couldn’t possibly play alongside Durant for long.

Susan Clark didn’t understand it. “I’m like, ‘Can you not see what an outstanding athlete this man is?’” she said. One night when Westbrook was going to the free-throw line, Clark heard some grumbling in the arena. She’d finally had enough. “Come on, Russellllllllll!” she shouted.

That was the first time she did her yell, and it felt so good to show her support of Westbrook that she started doing it every time he went to the free-throw line. There were plenty of people around her, though, who weren’t too keen on it. They gave her dirty looks. They shook their heads. They waved her off. One woman even turned around, snarled at her and said, “I really don’t think that helps.” It sure hasn’t hurt. Westbrook has shot at least 80 percent from the free-throw line each of the past three seasons, and his percentage this season hovers around that mark again at 80.1. Clark has only missed three games during the past four-plus seasons, and if there’s a chance Westbrook might be on the floor during a game, she doesn’t leave her seat. No bathroom break. No concession stand run. No way she’d miss a free throw.