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Atlanta Hawks defense wants no part of Russell Westbrook

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Kevin C. Cox

Nobody from the Hawks wants to guard Russell Westbrook.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook often drives to the rim with reckless abandon, with absolutely no regard for who may try to get in his way. Sometimes, like on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, nobody wants any part of the hyperactive Westbrook when he's barreling toward the rim.

With just under eight minutes left in the first quarter, Westbrook took the ball hard to the basket from the right wing. And instead of trying to play any sort of defense, the Hawks' DeShawn Stevenson felt like pulling up a lawn chair to enjoy the show as Westbrook blew right by him.

Russdunk2_medium

Once Stevenson had given up on the play, it was all over. Little Jeff Teague and Al Horford could have rotated over to contest, but they smartly stood down, allowing Westbrook to finish with a thunderous one-handed slam.

The uncontested dunk left Kyle Korver, not exactly a defensive maven himself, incredulous as to how the point guard was given such free access to the rim. Here's another angle, with a good shot of a baffled Korver:

Russdunk_medium

The two points were part of a monster 21-point half for Westbrook, as the Thunder lead the Hawks, 55-41, at Philips Arena.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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