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.
Ya está, el fin de una era
Gracias por haber hecho tan feliz a una generación
Me has hecho amar el fútbol y querer jugar como tú
Te quiero y te voy a querer para siempre, Ney
Goalscorer.
Creator.
Entertainer.
Winner.
And has carried the biggest responsibility for the biggest football nation in the world since he was a kid and did this at his home world cup.
Won a treble, a member of the greatest forward trio ever seen in football and scored over 100 goals for all of Santos, Barca, PSG and is Brazils record scorer too.
Kids grow up wanting to be Neymar.
To say he’s not a top player, never mind one of the greatest of all time, in my opinion is utter disrespect for how insanely good you have to be to do all this, never mind battling against the constant injuries and pressure from what seems the entire world.
One of footballs greatest ever icons.