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.
just met a cute girl at this wedding i’m at
like actually cute. objectively dangerous face card.
we’re talking. vibes are immaculate. she’s laughing at my jokes. i’m in my bag.
then sports get brought up, she says it
“i watch football”
my ears PERKED up
i played it cool. i said “oh nice, what’s your team”
she said “i’m a giants fan”
and that’s where a normal person would’ve said “cool, me too” and gotten her number
but i am not a normal person
my brain instantly went into terminal mode and i said “what do you think of the team?”
she looked confused
i kept going
“Darius Slayton as our WR2? Are you kidding me. Matt Nagy as our OC? Did you see what he did to Patrick Mahomes? Our franchise qb and franchise edge rusher hate each other. And we traded away our superstar DT”
she laughed nervously and said “what”
and i said “And don’t even get me started on Cam Skattebo basically trying to get himself injured”
she said “what”
and i said “so do you even follow the team”
she said “I literally have a Darius Slayton Jersey”
the vibe was GONE
just vanished. Just like Daniel Jones in primetime.
her friend pulled her away. she didn’t look back.
i was standing there alone at a wedding holding a drink i wasn’t even sipping, doing MENTAL MATH on how someone could claim to be a giants fan and think this Darius Slayton deserved that contract.
my cousin walked over and said “bro she looked into you what happened”
i said “she’s a casual”
he said “so?”
SO???
i then realized i would rather cut off my entire family than to share a bloodline with someone of the same species that couldn’t comprehend this
she had a pretty face but a DISGUSTING perspective on life that i just couldn’t get behind
could’ve had her number
she could’ve been the mother of my children
COULD’VE.
but now at least she knows i know ball
and honestly that’s worth more