Skip Bayless claims Thunder fans sent him 'death threats' for Russell Westbrook criticism

Skip Bayless has a tumultuous relationship with the OKC Thunder.

The Oklahoma City native and host of Fox Sports 1's Undisputed said during an episode of The Skip Bayless Show on Thursday that he's rooting for the Thunder, which is making its first playoff appearance since 2020. But Bayless also detailed a not-so-warm welcome back to his hometown during OKC's 2012 NBA Finals run.

Bayless was the co-host of ESPN's First Take at the time. And on numerous instances that season, he criticized then-OKC guard Russell Westbrook for taking too many shots away from Kevin Durant.

"I’m going to be very clear about this," Bayless said in February 2012. "My Oklahoma City Thunder are now blessed to have the man, I think, who has turned into the best player in the NBA, Kevin Durant, who is not blessed to be partnered with a point guard (Westbrook) who routinely brings up the ball and then routinely chooses to shoot more shots than the superstar. ... I’m going to say it again. This is a postseason recipe for disaster."

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Skip Bayless had bodyguard after criticism of Russell Westbrook

Bayless claimed he received "so many death threats" from Thunder fans due to his criticism of Westbrook, who's still beloved to this day.

And when First Take held its show in OKC for the first two games of the championship series against Miami, Bayless hired a bodyguard as a result.

"How can I root for that team?" Bayless said on Thursday. "When I got to Oklahoma City, I was rooting for me to survive the first two games. Bodyguard with me 24/7."

OKC ultimately suffered a 4-1 series loss to Miami, although the Thunder earned a 105-94 win in Game 1.

Bayless returned to his downtown hotel after the game, and he told his security guard he was fine with taking the elevator up to his seventh-floor room alone.

Bayless claimed two middle-aged women then entered the elevator with him. And as soon as the door closed, they accosted Bayless for his criticism of Westbrook.

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"They skewered me with scathing criticism for my criticism of Westbrook all the way up to the seventh floor," Bayless said. "They were on nine or 10, so I got two earfuls from both of them all the way to my seventh floor. And they held the door open as I exited to continue to berate me as I hurried down the hall to my room.

"How could I love that team? It did not love me. My city turned on me."

Despite the incident, Bayless continues to support the Thunder.

OKC managed to capture the No. 1 seed in the West, where it'll face the winner of Friday's play-in tournament game between New Orleans and Sacramento.

"I am pulling for my Thunder," Bayless said. "I like this team far, far more than I ever liked the KD, Westbrook and James Harden teams. ... This team is so much more fun to watch because this team has so much more fun playing basketball together."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Skip Bayless claims OKC Thunder fans sent him 'death threats' in 2012