Let's talk about Taj Gibson for a second.
Taj is calling it a career. Makes me feel ancient, because I played against the man back when I was still hooping.
17 years he lasted. 17. And the back half of that, everybody knew he wasn't out there to stuff a stat sheet. Teams wanted him around because of who he was for the young guys. He was the one keeping the rooks honest, showing them how you carry yourself as a pro when the cameras are off, showing them how to move on a Tuesday night in January. That's about the most valuable thing an OG vet brings.
So of course Chicago brings him back to coach, the same place that drafted him all those years ago. Couldn't have scripted it better for him.
Bulls got this one right!
Today is a very emotional day for me.
After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had.
Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage. From Fort Greene Projects to USC, to the Chicago Bulls , and every team and city that came after, I’m grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and every person who believed in me.
I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court.
To my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my agent, the NBA , NBPA and the fans, thank you. You were all a part of this journey.
But this isn’t goodbye to Basketball. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.
After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me.
Thank you Basketball ❤️🩹
After 17 NBA seasons, Taj Gibson is retiring and returning to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter to begin his coaching career.
Angela asks for group hug “I love you guys so much”
Devens “This went better than it possibly could have gone. Whoever is left is going to keep running this”
Dee “100%” #BB28
1,000 episodes. 28 seasons. So many unforgettable #BigBrother moments. 🥹🏠
Tonight, #BB28 officially marks the 1,000th episode of Big Brother...and CBS put together this look back at some of the moments that got us here.
What a journey❤️ #BB1000#BigBrotherBuzz
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.