LOS ANGELES — After the Warriors bested the Clippers 113-105 in Sunday’s Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead, Steve Kerr joked about handling future press conferences with “next question,” a la Russell Westbrook. Then he got serious. On Westbrook’s approach, Kerr summarized, “I think it’s dangerous for the league.”



“Next question” is already a favored joke catchphrase around the NBA, with players and coaches winking at Westbrook’s curt handling of The Daily Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel. Just before Game 4, Clippers Doc Rivers joked, “I could say ‘next question,’ but I’m not going to do that,” in response to a reporter’s query.



Westbrook, whose loud play and wardrobe so often command attention, made waves after a Game 3 victory over the Blazers on Friday with tactical silence. After Westbrook used, “next question” on Tramel and stalled, the next...