I work with mental illness patience for 16 years and I have seen it all with my patients and I usually on team with the doctor who diagnosed those guys. Really only way you can tell if a guy has disorder is be around them a lot to evaluate them. I was throwing out Bi-bolar due to what seen on the floor but he also could be piece of crap too.
Unless he developed something as an adult I think it is just a combination of affluenza and narcissism from reading his own press clippings. He was one of my favorite players at UCLA. Seemed nice back then. Besides, whatever he has must be communicable as PG is coming down with it as well.
I've had a lot of contact with autistic people and nothing about his manner really suggests autism to me. The way he's acting this playoffs isn't even his normal manner in press conferences--he's being sulky when things aren't going his way. I remember when the Thunder were building a 3-1 lead on the Warriors in the 2016 playoffs, Westbrook was gregarious and joking in press conferences. Being abrupt or ill at ease among people aren't, by themselves, markers of autism and that's not even a character trait of Westbrook in general. It's his attitude when he's upset, which doesn't differentiate him from a large percentage of the population.
Hopefully Wizard doesn't have to report it when it's just posted on an internet forum, else we're all screwed!
This thread is classless. Just because you give to a charity does not mean you're not immune from belittling people who have autism.
Is it belittling to ask if someone who doesn't seem to behave in a neurotypical way is, in fact, not neurotypical?
Nope. If he acted that way all the time then i might agree with you. But just watch a presser after a win and you will see a totally different look. He was sulking and was being disrespectful to the press. He didn't like losing so he wanted to take his ball and go home.
Yes--this was the final segment of his show today, although he spent all last week crushing Westbrick for screwing up his prediction.
My hope tomorrow is that Westbrook gets so pissed at the criticism he is getting for his shooting and over compensates while refusing to shoot. Both LBJ and Kobe did this (once each) to prove a point. Russ is emotional enough to try it as well. (Although it might only last a half) Maybe if he is cold in the first half?
Maybe he is just one of those players who needs to get really emotionally psyched for the game, and then has a post defeat adreneline crash. It would be an interesting experiment to interview him right after the game, then a few hours later, and then the next day.
I didn't realize how bad it was. If he can't figure out a way to shoot better, defend better, or do something better, that contract is a four year anchor for this team. PG's contract is likely tradable, but Westbrook is a Thunder for the next four years. Hate to get a head of myself, but if you are the Thunder, what do you do? Can't move Westbrook, if you move PG, then you are doomed to mediocrity. Unlikely anyone else will be attracted to playing with those two--in Oklahoma City. I guess they rolled the dice and lost. Certainly the only option is a new coach and hope for the best.
