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.
Free agent guard Tre Mann has agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. Hornets officials and Mann's agent Aaron Turner of Verus Sports negotiated terms of the new contract in free agency.
So grateful for everyone at the Thunder - the players, the leadership and the staff who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to bring an NBA championship to this incredible city - and for allowing me to be a part of the journey all these years.
Thank you for this moment!
From the 3-29 start in the inaugural season in OKC..
..to the meteoric rise of the KD/Russ/Harden team.
..to the thrill of making the 2012 Finals and the promise of more to come.
..to 3 title-contending seasons taken away by injuries to Russ/KD/Ibaka.
..to being up 3-1 in the WCF.
..to KD’s hardest road.
..to Russ staying in OKC and his MVP season.
..to the Paul George trade and the OK3.
..to the franchise altering SGA trade.
..to trading away Russ.
..to that special CP3 playoff season.
..to hiring Mark Daigneault.
..to the Poku rebuild years.
..to drafting Chet and JDub.
..to the meteoric rise of the second era.
..to a historical 68 win season.
..all culminating in an NBA Championship coming home to Oklahoma City.
Congratulations, Thunder fans.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just had one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history.
MVP
Western Conference Finals MVP
Finals MVP
All Star
All NBA 1st Team
Scoring title
68 wins
Hall of Fame lock at 26 years old.