“I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars. We are here. We are waiting.”
- Peter Cullen (1941 - 2026)
"Don't miss, rook."
That was my introduction to Russell Westbrook.
Summer before my first year in the league. All the guys in town are playing pickup. I hit the game-winning shot, but we have a rule that you have to validate a game winner by making a free throw to officially end the game.
After I made that shot, Russ chest-checked me with the ball at the free throw line. Got right in my ear, said it softly. "Don't miss, rook." Then he stood right next to me. Not moving. Just standing there.
That was the intensity. It wasn't mean or personal. That's just how he was.
He did not want to lose. And if I missed that free throw, the game keeps going.
I hit it. And he shook his head in light approval, like OK, maybe he can handle the moment.
That intensity never turned off.
Not in pickup, not in practice, not in film, not even in some simple arguments. The energy, the joy, the competitiveness was on every single day.
And I tried to emulate that on the court because it was impossible to be around it and not raise your own standard.
Russ taught me the ins and outs of the game: the politics from the front office down, how to carry yourself, and not only how to handle pressure, but embrace it.
And there were the rookie duties too. Getting him meals, handling what needed to be handled on the road. But that was well worth the price of admission to learn next to one of the all-time greats.
A lot of what I've accomplished and my longevity in this league traces back to that first year learning from him.
Congrats on a legendary career, Russ! @russwest44
From the moment you stepped foot into The Oklahoma City Thunder I became a basketball fan immediately. The 1st time I've ever started followed the NBA was because Russell Westbrook was different from anybody else. I will always appreciate you for making me love this game. "Why Not?" Made millions of us tune in to watch your games
They said nobody will ever average a triple double after Oscar, but you did it 4 TIMES. Won an NBA MVP against all odds nobody every thought was possible. Your 2017 MVP is still one of the most exciting, heroic stretches of basketball we have ever witnessed
You really made basketball seem different from everybody else, alot of this current generation looked up to you, as they should
The game won't be the same at all without Russell Westbrook, wore your heart on your sleeve, didn't listen to false narratives, went 200% everytime
To the player who left everything on the floor, thank you GOAT RUSSELL WESTBROOK !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wake up.
Open presents.
Spurs vs Knicks at 12.
Packers vs Bears at 1.
Heat vs Celtics at 2:30.
Bills vs Broncos at 4:30.
Sixers vs Lakers at 5.
Thunder vs Wolves at 8.
Rams vs Seahawks at 8:15.
Nuggets vs Warriors at 10:30.
Santa came through.
Christmas Day is absolutely insane.
Just some of Russell Westbrook's great games with The Lakers that he still Lost all of them due to roster injuries and horrible depth
27/10/7 vs Denver on 73% FG
22/10/8 vs Wizards on 66% FG
30/7/4 vs Spurs on 60% FG
24/9/9 vs Heat on 60% FG
31/13/10 vs Knicks on 56% FG
29/10/11 vs Kings on 56% FG
20/7/12 vs Hawks on 53% FG
35/4/5 vs Hornets on 52% FG
30/8/6 vs Rockets on 52% FG
28/5/3 vs Suns on 50% FG
25/8/6 vs Mavs on 52% FG
24/6/7 vs Jazz on 50% FG
26/3/6 vs Jazz on 60% FG
24/4/6 vs Pacers on 55% FG
22/3/5 vs Jazz on 57% FG
19/11/3 vs GSW on 58% FG
Russell Westbrook great performances against great teams this season :
27/6/4 VS Detroit
21/13/4 VS Rockets
13/10/14 VS Timberwolves
21/6/11 VS Nuggets
26/12/6 VS Nuggets
23/16/10 VS Warriors
24/6/9 VS OKC
Most Clutch FGM in a single-season:
Russell Westbrook (2017) — 82 FGM
LeBron James (2008) — 77 FGM
LeBron James (2018)— 72 FGM
Russell Westbrook (2018) — 66 FGM
Isaiah Thomas (2017) — 65 FGM
Russell Westbrook is actually the perfect person to have here. If only we could have had him for the minimum right. He must have been too expensive right
@RussFcb @BagHeadTheThird Yea ok u sound dumb ass hell saying this his only job is too score he sits corner on defense all game has lockdown defenders and rim protectors around him, he doesn’t make his teammates better, fouls baits and flops all game to just score around 30 lol he’s not good Russ>