Marian Gaborik calls out Russell Westbrook for dodging handshake line

Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley did a bit of trash talking after the Houston Rockets eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5. Courtesy: NBA TV.

The Houston Rockets’ tumultuous series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder served up a bevy of highlight-reel moments, but it seems the theatrics also cost Russell Westbrook a high-profile fan.

Houston finished off the Thunder with a fiery 105-99 win on Tuesday, punctuated by some fireworks from Oklahoma City star Westbrook and the Rockets’ Patrick Beverley. The final buzzer did little to quell the pair’s feud, as the drama spilled over to the duo’s post-game comments.

Los Angeles Kings winger Marian Gaborik was apparently taking it all in, and he wasn’t having any of it.

The 2014 Stanley Cup champion called out Westbrook’s antics after the game, questioning the MVP candidate’s decision to hold a grudge as the series came to a close.

It’s no surprise Westbrook earned Gaborik’s ire given the fact that the latter’s sport holds up the handshake line as a treasured post-season tradition. But the Kings winger wasn’t alone in criticizing Westbrook, as the handshake-line dodge caused plenty of commotion among fans on Twitter as well.

Don’t expect Westbrook to change his tune though. It’s that relentless passion that’s gotten him this far, and it’s fair to assume he won’t be dialing it down any time soon.

He might just have to do that without Gaborik tuning in to watch.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.