Russell Westbrook Makes Luke Ridnour Fall With Crossover In Thunder-Timberwolves Game (VIDEO)

While the first day of the NBA season delivered a few thrilling finishes, a heckling Santa Claus and an armload of staggering dunks, we had to wait until the second day of games to see a defender completely embarrassed and have his ankles severely broken.

From everyone (but the Ridnour family), Russell Westbrook, we thank you.

During the final seconds of the first half in Minnesota's season opener against Oklahoma City, Westbrook took had the ball at the top of the key with Timberwolves guard Luke Ridnour defending him. Ridnour appeared well aware that he was overmatched as he guarded Westbrook and overplayed the All-Star's initial move.

With eight seconds left, Westbrook faked left and used an incredible crossover to make Ridnour trip over and fall on his side. He then attacked the basket and made a tough layup with his right hand before time expired.

Maybe Ridnour should take a lesson from Orlando's J.J Redick, who fell victim to killer crossovers twice within a week last season and shook both incidents off with a smile.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE

Comments

[Ichiro51]

04:17 AM on 12/29/2011

And Russ follows that up with a zero for thirteen from the field shooting night.

[TommyMcCarthy]

04:59 AM on 12/28/2011

I'm apalled....."ankles severely broken"?

Is this the new cool way to describe this? (and alarm the crap out of Luke's friends and family?)

What happened to "faked him out of his jock"

Bet this is from the same folks who describe something "good" as.."sick"

Just HATEFUL times for the language
tm

[tanya11111]

03:39 PM on 12/28/2011

it is a pretty old expression in basketball.

[TommyMcCarthy]

04:38 PM on 12/28/2011

So it appears

It's funny..I'm life-long B-ball fan...and the first time I ever heard it was yesterday.

Truth is...we know the Ridnours... and I was shocked and alarmed at the idea that Luke had been badly injured.

Perhaps you can imagine why I was angered when the author of the article seemed to be ENJOYING the fact that Luke had "broken both ankles".....heh

You see ...I have a policy of reading the entire article before watching the video
This time...it bit me in the butt didn't it?

Thanks for your response
TM

[Chris Eakin]

04:34 PM on 12/28/2011

idiot.

[independent32955-2]

07:54 PM on 12/27/2011

Broke his ankles

[Ty LaRue]

06:38 PM on 12/27/2011

dope

[I AM THAT]

09:27 PM on 12/27/2011

totally

[dwill123]

01:49 PM on 12/27/2011

Still won't beat A.I. over old man Jordan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CZbrVrX1tM

[gintheb]

04:02 PM on 12/27/2011

At his peak few were better than A.I.
Shame he never won a championship.

[Arthur Spooner]

01:38 PM on 12/27/2011

THAT'S IT??

[therealone]

01:12 PM on 12/27/2011

Ridnour tripped on Tollivers foot. It's plain, and obvious, to see.

Westbrook is a baller, but give credit when it's deserved.

Stop hyping up nondescript plays just to make things seem "exciting",

[sixletters]

01:31 PM on 12/27/2011

but it's much more fun this way.

[mimiyo]

01:02 PM on 12/27/2011

Westbrook will become a really good player once he learns to play more "we ball" and less "me ball". He will go from being good to great once he learns the assist and working for the best shot, is more important to winning than always making the big shot yourself. Kevin Durant is doing a great job schooling Westbrook, and the Thunder is going to be the team to beat this year. They have the best chemistry in the game, and their bench with players like Harden, makes them fast, fresh and really hard to beat.

[RusStyles]

01:41 PM on 12/27/2011

You're spot on about Westbrook. He's wavered back and forth, but I think this year he will make that full transition, and the Thunder will be serious championship contenders. Who would of ever thought an Okie pro basketball team would be both this good, and have the league's best fan support?

[Tater Salad]

12:43 PM on 12/27/2011

Not a Tim Hardaway killer crossover but decent.

[SayLessDoMore]

12:34 PM on 12/27/2011

Move was good, not great. Ridnour fell. BFD.

[KarateKid]

12:25 PM on 12/27/2011

Ironically, Ridnour is the guy who Westbrook replaced. How's that for a useless factoid?

[RusStyles]

12:22 PM on 12/27/2011

No matter what caused him to fall, I guarantee you he feels embarrassed. Westbrook is so quick and strong, there's no one player that can stay in front of him; you must have help....

[therealone]

01:12 PM on 12/27/2011

Especially when someone trips you.

[RusStyles]

01:55 PM on 12/27/2011

It's moot. Had he not tripped, the result would have been the same; he's roadkill for Westbrook...

[baxtron]

12:19 PM on 12/27/2011

someone schooled the TimberPuppies? wow that's like beating a college team.

[inmotion2]

12:18 PM on 12/27/2011

Wow, must be a slow news day!

[Femonanon]

12:13 PM on 12/27/2011

THIS "STORY" SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN, PLAYERS STEP ON OTHER PLAYERS FEET AND FALL DOWN BECAUSE OF IT, WHY IS THIS BEING PORTRAYED AS A "BREAKING ANKLES" STORY?

[Iain Banks]

12:41 PM on 12/27/2011

Stop crying.