When Steve Kerr took issue with Russell Westbrook's 'next question' responses: 'I think it's dangerous for the league'

Two things that don't go together: Russell Westbrook and the NBA Media.

The triple-double king has endured some friendlier encounters with reporters in recent years. However, at the height of his game, it almost felt like the Oklahoma City Thunder icon used negative energy generated in the postgame press conferences to fuel his play on the court.

Like he did on the court, especially when it mattered the most, Westbrook sometimes took things a little too far with the media, which may have hurt his reputation around the association.

Mr. Next question

Throughout the 2018-19 NBA season, a few things were the standard: the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, being their dominant self, LeBron James making highlights in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Russ replying "next question" to Barry Tramel, a Thunder beat writer.

In the postseason, Westbrook ramped up his rebellion against Tramel's question, answering virtually every question with a "next question." Most of the time, he would start staring off into space or fidgeting with something while Tramel asked a question, showing total ignorance in his body language.

Westbrook's conduct eventually made bigger headlines, and it certainly captured the attention of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who didn't hesitate to share his opinion of the Thunder guard's behavior with the media.

"I think it's dangerous for the league," Kerr said. "I just feel that we have to be very careful as a league. We're in a good place right now. Very popular. Fans love the game, the social dynamic, and the fashion. But more than anything, they love the connection they feel to the players. I think it's important for the players to understand that it's a key dynamic to the league. I don't think that this is a healthy dynamic for the league, for any player, any team, any local media, any national media."