I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine….a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career.
Walking with Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easier life, it doesn’t guarantee that things would always go our way. Sometimes God may send us into a storm, sometimes He may lead us into a valley. But it’s in those moment where we learn to trust Him and we learn to surrender, which isn’t easy. It’s in those moments where we can see how weak we are without Jesus and how much we need Him. God doesn’t abandon us in the storm or valley and He’s not working against us. He’s with us in every moment and He’s for us. In those moments, sometimes it’s hard to see what He’s doing, but we have to walk by faith and we have to hold on to His promises. The storms and the valleys that He takes us through at times are not meant to destroy us, but it’s to draw us closer to Him and to build us up into the man and the woman He’s calling us to be. Don’t let go, keep holding on!
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9