Westbrook’s attitude ‘dangerous’ to NBA: Kerr

Oklahoma Thunder star Russell Westbrook’s attitude toward the media has ranged over the years from openly cantankerous to merely cool, but Steve Kerr believes Westbrook’s frequent “next question” approach is “dangerous for the league.”

Westbrook’s disdain for questions, particularly questions from Oklahoma City columnist Berry Tramel, isn’t just harmless or humorous, according to the Golden State Warriors’ head coach.

Westbrook’s “next question” responses, often delivered to Tramel, have generated laughs.

But Kerr warned on Sunday the deflection creates a distance between athlete and fan, and the NBA’s strong suit is a connection to players that, for instance, the NFL doesn’t have. Westbrook’s response has spread, but treating it as a joke is missing the point, Kerr opined.

“I think it’s dangerous for the league,” Kerr said, according to Ethan Strauss of The Athletic. “I just feel that we have to be very careful as a league. We’re in a good place right now. Very popular. Fans love the game, the social dynamic, the fashion. But more than anything they love the connection they feel to the players.”

Westbrook’s teammate Paul George borrowed the “next question” gimmick after the Thunder’s loss to Portland in Game 3 of their playoff series on Friday.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers has noticed, too, cracking in response to a question recently, “I could say ‘next question,’ but I’m not going to do that.”

Kerr believes it’s important for players to feed information to the fans via the media because it benefits them and the league.

“Don’t kill that,” he said. “That’s a big part of the business. You don’t have to give a great answer, but it’s dangerous when you go down that path of no communication.”

So far, NBA commissioner Adam Silver hasn’t addressed the issue.