Dime Q&A: Russell Westbrook Talks Video Games & Summer Hoops

The video game culture for the Oklahoma City Thunder has become a genuine part of their appeal. There are all sorts of stories about how the team is always having video game nights or how all they do outside of basketball is go to someone’s house and hit the sticks. That sounds like something we’d do. Actually, we did do that…all through college and high school. So it was fitting that Russell Westbrook, along with Kevin Garnett, were out at the Stages in Playa Vista, Calif. this past Friday, waging war in the first-ever Call of Duty XP event with Call of Duty XP attendees and military personnel. It made for the ultimate Pros vs. GI Joes Call of Duty Grudge Match.

It was the first opportunity for anyone to play the newest release in the series, the upcoming Modern Warfare 3. The event went on most of the weekend and included live performance by Kanye West and Dropkick Murphys. Chris Bosh and Kevin Love were also in attendance. Fans got the chance to not only play but had the chance to compete in the Call of Duty $1 million dollar tournament presented by Xbox 360.

I got a few minutes to catch up with Westbrook to talk video games, summer school and what he’s been doing since OKC lost in the Western Conference Finals.

*** *** ***

Dime: So how’s this Call of Duty event? Has it been fun?
Russell Westbrook: Yessir. It’s a Call of Duty event, a charity event playing against KG. We are just out here having some fun.

Dime: How’d you get involved with Call of Duty?
RW: Well I grew up playing the game and I know a few people so I’m pretty interested in how the new game will come out. This was an event for me to be at where we could do that.

Dime: I’ve heard stories that y’all out in Oklahoma City are all huge video game guys. Do you play a lot together?
RW: Oh definitely. In Oklahoma City, we are kinda chill and laid back. We definitely do a lot of video games up there.

Dime: Who’s the best player on the team, video game wise?
RW: Ah, I’d have to say myself you know?

Dime: What games you guys usually play?
RW: Ah 2K, Call of Duty and a little bit of Konect.

Dime: So far this summer, what’s it been like watching your boy KD destroying everybody?
RW: Oh it’s been good man. He’s doing a good job of going at ’em and representing, man. That’s what he does. He’s passionate about what he does, and he’s getting better.

Dime: Do you guys stay in touch a lot?
RW: Definitely. I’ve seen him a few times. Definitely talk to him and check on him to make sure everything’s all right.

Dime: Are you guys talking at all about what you want to do next season as a duo and then as a team as well?
RW: Not yet. We know as a team we want to get better and come back and try to lead our team to the next step.

Dime: What have you been doing this summer? We haven’t seen you in any of the major playground games…
RW: Nah. Not at all. I’ve just been working out, man. Just working out, trying to get my game right and my mind prepared for next year.

Dime: I saw those photos you guys put out on Twitter with you Kevin Love, Diddy and Baron Davis going to school. Can you talk about that?
RW: Oh yeah, going back to school is a great thing for me, trying to graduate. It’s a good opportunity for me to go each summer every time I can and Diddy happened to be on campus and came to class with us that day so it was good.

Dime: What type of classes do you guys take?
RW: History and philosophy. That was a history class we were in.

Dime: As far as summer basketball goes, what’s your fondest memory? Have you had any great one-on-one battles?
RW: Nah. When I was playing summer, I had to play against really good guys. I wasn’t that good myself. I was kinda under the radar so I didn’t have the opportunity to play or don’t really remember.

Dime: Looking back at last year, do you think it was overall a success as a team?
RW: Definitely. It was definitely a success. We got better from our first year to the second year. We made another jump and now we are trying to make the next big jump.

Dime: From the way you guys lost to Dallas with a few games that you probably should’ve won, do you still think about that? Is there a bitter taste?
RW: No, not anymore. You want to get some redemption if you think about it if you face them again. But as of right now, no.

Dime: You had a lot of sudden criticism in the playoffs. How do you deal with that moving forward as you continue to get better?
RW: Just play my game. That’s their job and I have a job to get better so that’s all I can do.

Dime: Was it hard to deal with that in the playoffs with all of that attention and all that pressure?
RW: Not at all. We’re winning as a team and I felt good about myself and about my team so it wasn’t at all.

Dime: A lot of times the hardest step to make as a team is going from good to great like you guys are trying to do. What type of things do you guys need to do as a team to make that step?
RW: I think we’re in a good position right now as a team. We just have to continue to get better. Be focused. The playoffs are definitely on a different level, and just be focused throughout the whole season.

Dime: You mentioned your focus. Is that the key thing to keep the team from taking a step back?
RW: Definitely focus is a big key for both myself and for our team. And that can get us to another level.

Dime: This summer as far as working out, is there anything in particular you are focusing on or do you have a certain routine you do every year?
RW: Just working out man, doing a little bit of everything and just trying to expand my game.

Dime: Next year with Oklahoma City, are you guys kinda looking at it as a championship or a bust?
RW: No, we’re just looking at taking it game by game and just trying to get better.

MORE PICTURES…

Who do you think is probably the best video game player on the Thunder?

Follow Sean on Twitter at @SEANesweeney.

Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.

Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.

×