Next question
Outside of the term triple-double, there will not be two words more closely associated with Westbrook than “next question.” Before diving into Russ’ feud with longstanding Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel, allow me to fill you in on the backstory.
Many fans and pundits remember when the next question response started. However, tensions between Westbrook and Tramel had been brewing since 2015, when Berry asked Russell if he was upset with something after the Thunder suffered a bad loss. Westbrook responded by informing Tramel he did not like him. This leads back to a point from the KD vs. Westbrook feud, nobody likes everybody they work with, and Westbrook did not like Tramel.
Program Director for 920 the Sports Animal and NewsRadio 102.9 in Little Rock Toby Howell recalled when the next question fad began and offered a unique perspective on the Westbrook vs. Tramel feud:
“When Houston beat OKC in the 2017 playoffs, that was when Russ gave Berry Trammel the first Next Question, Steven Adams was at the podium as well. I absolutely loved it. I also thought Berry handled it like a champ.”
To be completely straightforward, I also got a kick out of Russ’ next question fad, although it did get a little out of hand towards the end.