Russell Westbrook: "I Never Learned How to Pass"

DALLAS, TX—During a post-game interview following Wednesday night's 100-96 loss to the Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook confessed that he never learned how to pass. "I just never learned," said a dejected Westbrook, struggling to hold back tears. "I never learned."

Despite Westbrook averaging nearly five turnovers and shooting under 40% during the playoffs, his teammates confessed to not knowing the mercurial point guard's long hidden secret. "I guess it makes sense," said OKC forward Kevin Durant.  "I told him once we were going to practice passing and he said, 'You mean like passing to the basket?' It was weird, but I didn't give it much more thought."

OKC coach Scott Brooks said at a press conference Thursday morning, "When we would run passing drills at practice, Russell would always have to go move his car, or make an emergency call, or pick a friend up at the airport. In retrospect, it was sort of suspicious. I think we're all guilty of looking the other way. But now that we know we are going to get him the help that he needs."

With his secret finally out in the open, Westbrook participated in passing drills at an impromptu practice late Thursday afternoon. Though many of his early attempts sailed a yard or more over his teammates' heads, and others were thrown seemingly straight up into the air, Westbrook reiterated to reporters his newfound optimism: "I'm finally understanding what it means to be a teammate. Who would have thought, me, passing? Weird, huh?"