An interesting construct in basketball today.

Watching the Houston-Oklahoma City playoff game today might have held a lesson for young

Some James Harden friends.  Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle

players. To begin with understand that Russell Westbrook of the Thunder is in a neck and neck race for most valuable player with James Harden of the Rockets. Westbrook also set a record this year for number of games with a triple double. To those unfamiliar with basketball that means double digits in three statistical categories, in this case points, assists and rebounds. Steals and blocked shots show up once in a while.

What made it a little more interesting was something the commenters discussed before the game. The two players are friends in the off-season but agreed not to communicate during the playoff series. Then they quoted Westbrook as saying when he is on the court he has only one friend – the basketball. As one said, his only friend is Spalding.

Immediately I thought, what about your teammates? I guess a guy who sets a record for triple doubles has little regard for his teammates. I mean they made the playoffs, though a number six seed. We used to call that guy a gunner or a ball hog. Obviously he can perform, but even Michael Jordan acknowledged his teammates. It sounds like Westbrook plays by himself and those teammates who aren't acknowledged as friends or anything else are only there to feed him the ball.

Nothing was said about Harden and his relationships.

What does it all mean?

Final score: Hardin and the Rockets 118, Westbrook and whoever, 87.  Westbrook had 22 points and no triple double without any friends. Harden with a little help from his friends had 37 points. In the plus/minus statistic: Westbrook -22; Harden +22. Of course it's a seven-game series, so there are more games to play.
Update: In game two Westbrook scored 42 points, still lost. I can hear Joe Cocker singing.
As it turns out Westbrook's team lost the series four games to one. At the end he walked off the court without a handshake or so much as a head nod to his teammates or to the winners. He may need more friends than an inanimate ball.