PHILADELPHIA – Two plump middle-fingers, belonging to a portly man in an Allen Iverson jersey, were flashed in his direction and Russell Westbrook was neither upset nor amused in the first quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season-opening win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Westbrook stopped, scrunched up his face, pointed two index fingers at the enraged, cursing fan and then silently scanned the crowd with a facial expression that basically screamed, “Does somebody want to come get this idiot?”

The chill reaction to a classic display of brotherly love quickly set social media ablaze, becoming the latest – and first of a post-Kevin Durant regular season being billed as “Russ’ Revenge” – moment in a burgeoning national love affair with the game’s most in-your-face individualist. Westbrook later explained that his response to the “crazy” situation was because he’s “turned a new leaf” and had no interest in giving the NBA $25,000 for crossing the line with a fan.

But anyone who has been closely monitoring Westbrook knows that the incident and the subsequent reaction were the encapsulation of his complex, professional career. Early on, Westbrook received considerable, often irrational hatred. But as his game continued to mature and the Thunder continued to win, Westbrook went from being viewed as erratic to hailed as passionate. And, finally, those who stood opposed – like the doctor/part-time comedian in Philadelphia – were escorted out of the arena, leaving everyone else to sit back and admire the show.

The changing tide from #BlameRuss to #TeamRuss over the past few years hasn’t gone unnoticed to Westbrook, who flashed that gap-toothed grin when asked if he’d noticed the difference in how he’s now perceived.

It’s all on Russell Westbrook to mold the Thunder. (AP) More

“A little bit,” Westbrook told The Vertical. “But at the same time, I’ve got to keep the same way, because I’ve been on the other side. I’m definitely appreciative of all the support and I’m definitely thankful for that, and every night I just go out and play the same way.”

Westbrook will undoubtedly make some adjustments to his game following a confluence of events last summer. Serge Ibaka sought a larger role and was dealt to Orlando, and Durant left for Golden State in free agency, leaving Westbrook all alone as a leader tasked with ensuring that defection doesn’t mean disaster for Oklahoma City.

A new sneaker commercial for Jordan Brand offered, in no uncertain terms, a look into to how Westbrook plans to accept the awaiting challenge. With a few animated dance moves, Westbrook gleefully recited the lyrics of Lil Uzi Vert’s song, “Do What I Want,” playing in the background.

“Now I do what I want!” Westbrook mouths. “Now I do what I want!”

Westbrook already spared the Thunder one potential headache when he chose to sign a three-year extension (with an opt-out after Year Two), rather than force the team to explore trade proposals and look to rebuild. The deal was signed one month to the day after Durant announced his departure and was greeted by a mini-championship parade outside Chesapeake Energy Arena, where thousands of fans showed up to cheer on his decision. By deciding to stay, Westbrook endeared himself not only to the people of Oklahoma City but also to fans around the country who now view the walking triple-double as the people’s champ.

Before his unique game-day attire made him an attention-grabbing, fashion trendsetter, and his Mountain Dew commercials and pregame dance routines with Cameron Payne revealed a goofy charm, Westbrook was a player trying to find his way while ducking from the vitriol tossed his direction. Westbrook was routinely blamed for the Thunder’s playoff failures, panned as being too wild and unreliable, blamed for trying to eclipse Durant in some crunch-time situations. The criticism could’ve broken Westbrook but instead made him more obstinate. Rather than push back at those deriding him, Westbrook played harder, better, even more relentless and earned more respect.

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