Westbrook gives helping hand for homeless

By Michael Kinney

OKLAHOMA CITY – Russell Westbrook walked into the City Rescue Mission last week to the screams of more more than 60 children. However, for the first time in a long time, the majority of the screams weren’t for him.

Westbrook walked in with Santa Claus and when the two parted, most of the kids surrounded Saint Nick.

The duo on hand in conjunction with Westbrook’s annual Christmas party for homeless who live at the City Rescue Mission in downtown Oklahoma City. This is the 5^th year that the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation has hosted a holiday party for Oklahoma City children in need. 

The party has become a staple of the many charitable events Westbrook puts on every year.

“There is no better feeling than putting a smile on a kid’s face, especially those in need,” Westbrook said. “A lot of these kids won’t get to celebrate Christmas so the fact that I can come to the Mission and do this for them is unbelievable, I am truly blessed.”

The festivities included a hot meal, face painting and a bouncy castle. They also had, for the first time, armadillo races that drew the biggest and most animated crowds.

With the help of Santa and his brother Ray, Westbrook handed out gifts to all the of children in attendance. Their gift bags contained a new pair of shoes, backpacks and t-shirts, all from Jordan Brand.

“Just to see all family enjoy the holiday spirit is the most important part,” Westbrook said. “Especially during Christmas. That’s a great moment for kids, at no matter what age, to have something for Christmas is very exciting for them and exciting for me as well. It feels great. That’s the best feeling in the world to do something for somebody else, put joy in their life and give them something to look forward to.”

For those who also want to donate to the City Rescue Mission, it’s located at 800 W. California.

“It shows you how blessed you are and how you can use basketball or athletics to use your platform to be able to create chances for people across the world,” Westbrook said. “That’s something I’ve been trying to do since I’ve been in the league, to reach people, to use my voice and use what I do to be able to help people in any way that I can.”

Westbrook even amazes himself with another career night

(Photo by Torrey Purvey)

By Michael Kinney

OKLAHOMA CITY — Before his Phoenix Suns took the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach Earl Watson was asked how to stop Russell Westbrook. All he could say was if there was an answer to that question, there would be no need to ask it anymore.
As if on cue, Westbrook then proceeded to produce one of his most spectacular games of the season on Saturday in leading the Thunder to an 114-101 victory over the Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Just days after saying he was tired of hearing about triple-doubles, Westbrook posted his 13th of the season by pouring in 26 points, 11 rebounds and 22 assists, which is a career high. It’s only the fifth time since 1983 that a player had a triple-double and reach at least 20 points and 20 assists. Even those numbers amazed the normally understated Westbrook.
“I never know what may happen throughout games, good or bad,” Westbrook said. “My job is to go out there and compete at a high level. I’ve been blessed to play this game and every night I leave it on the floor. “Sometimes some good things happen, sometimes some bad things happen. That’s the nature of the game.”
Thunder center Steven Adams added 19 points and six rebounds and Enes Kanter came off the bench to score 12 points as Oklahoma City ended a two-game losing streak and raised its record to 16-11.
The Suns were led by Devon Booker, who scored a game-high 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field. Eric Bledsoe posted 12 points and four assists as Phoenix dropped to 8-19.
“Our young guys cane out,” Watson said. “We really like our young guys. Our young guys have a significant impact on our future and they came out and played the right way to end the game.”
The Suns complied a total of 16 assists, which was six less than Westbrook by himself.
With shooting guard Victor Oladipo not playing for the Thunder, different players took turns scoring at the start. Four players had at least five points as Oklahoma City led 30-20.
“My teammates did a great job of spacing and catching and finishing and making some shots,” Westbrook said. “My job is to find those guys. The ball is in my hands a lot and it’s my job to find those guys and make it easy for those guys to be successful.”
The normally prolific scoring Suns were out of sync the entire first half. They shot only 34 percent from the field and made only 4 of 13 3-point attempts.
The lone bright spot for the Suns in the first half came from reserve Alex Len. He came off the bench to post 10 points and six rebounds in nine minutes.
Yet that wasn’t enough to keep the Thunder from taking a 54-39 lead into halftime. One of the reasons is Oklahoma City’s ability to shut down Phoenix in the open court. They had zero fast-break points in the game.
“We got back in transition,” Westbrook said. “They are a fast team. That’s how they score a lot of their points. They get a lot of shots up in transition. I think tonight we did a great job of just getting back and loading up and make them score in the half-court.”
The third quarter was like a duel between the teams’ explosive guards. If Westbrook drained a 3-pointer, Booker came back knocked with one from long distance himself. There didn’t seem to be a spot on the floor that Booker couldn’t hit from.
But while Booker left his imprint on the game in the scoring column, Westbrook made sure his was felt in every aspect. In the third quarter alone, he racked up 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and only one turnover as Oklahoma City went ahead 89-69.
Westbrook kept piling up assists and made each one seem more exciting than the next in the fourth. The Suns’ defense fell apart and the Thunder pulled away.
“He keeps putting up phenomenal numbers,” Phoenix center Tyson Chandler said of Westbrook. “I think it really comes down to heart, passion and will. Every second he is coming full speed, he’s giving 100 percent. He is putting his will over the game.”

Shen Yun takes Oklahoma on a tour of Chinese history

 

By Michael Kinney

Anyone driving around Oklahoma and the surrounding area the last couple of months has noticed the large, colorful billboards announcing the return of Shen Yun Performing Arts. But what is it?

Estelle Lin and the rest of the classical Chinese dance and music company have made it their goal to share the wondrous heritage of China and its people with the world.

“The purpose of Shen Yun is to share the true value, the pure beauty of traditional Chinese culture and deeper insight to China,” Lin said.

Educational and spiritual

Lin said with its grand traditions, costumes, music, theatrics and historical focus, Shen Yun is different than most stage shows.

“Shen Yun presents classical Chinese dance with a live orchestra that combines Eastern and Western music and an animated backdrop,” Lin explained. “It’s not just entertainment but also very educational and spiritual.”

Shen Yun creators said the show emphasizes China’s culture and people.

“More than 5,000 years of Chinese culture with music and dance in one night,” Lin said.

Shen Yun has performed around the world since 2006. From Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo, Japan, the performance has become a worldwide hit.

“Shen Yun is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and they just announced their fifth company, the Shen Yun North America Company,” Lin said.

One reason the show has become so popular is its storytelling. The mini-dramas are straight from Chinese legends passed down for centuries.

Some of Shen Yun’s stories from Chinese literature include Monkey Business in the Dragon Palace, Tang Monk from Journey to the West and Yang Zhi Sells His Sword.

Shen Yun also recreates some of the country’s most inspirational and meaningful legends. The Legend of the Jade Rabbit, The Emperors Journey to the Moon and The Monk Who Endured are a few of the 11 stories in Shen Yun’s roster of Chinese myths and legends.

No home

China is one place none of the performance companies can visit. According to Lin, after the Communist Party of China (CPC) took over, “they destroyed the authentic Chinese culture.”

The CPC is officially an atheist regime, and Shen Yun Performing Arts company’s mission is to revive the essence of Chinese culture, traditionally considered divinely inspired.

The Oklahoma City show is the first of two stops in the state during the Shen Yun 2017 World Tour. The company returns to Tulsa in February. This is the third straight year and fourth since 2009 that it has performed in Oklahoma.

“Because I am living in the Oklahoma City area, I would like to bring this great culture event to the Oklahoma people so they can experience Shen Yun,” Lin said. “It is an unforgettable journey, because the show touches people’s heart. Whoever enjoys the show will recommend their family or friends to experience Shen Yun too.”

Shen Yun performs 7 p.m. Dec. 22 and 2 p.m. Dec. 23 in Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Tickets are $70-$150. Visit shenyun.com or okcciviccenter.com or call 405-297-2264.

Story appeared in The Oklahoma Gazette