Draymond Green says fans called Russell Westbrook “Westbrick” for ten years then loved him the day he quit, and Westbrook heard every word
“Basketball fans, y’all suck. Basketball fans suck. And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category too. But basketball fans suck.”
“Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat pads, and how he messes up teams.”
“Make no mistake about it. “Westbrick,” and all the things y’all said about him. And the moment he steps aside, ‘oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team. Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him.’ All these great, beautiful things.”
“Why we can’t feel that when you gone? It’s like when somebody die. Everybody’s like, ‘oh man, best dude ever, best woman ever, would take the shirt off their back.’ Everybody got all these great things to say. But when that person was living, you don’t show that love.”
“Why is it that Russell Westbrook has to announce his retirement, unexpectedly, to finally see the love that he deserves? Why is that?”
What a blessing it has been to share a big part of my career with you!! Drafted on the same night by the same team in 2008… time flies. I learned so much from you and had so much fun playing with you. One of the best competitors ever and one of the best teammates I ever had. I wish everyone had the chance to know you up close like I did. Congrats on an incredible career @russwest44
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.
Russ was literally diming HOF passes to Jokic just 1 year ago. The best passer Jokic has ever played with easily and now he’s retired. This is the craziest blackball in sports history.