At times, the joy that life attacks me with is unbearable and leads to gasping hysterical laughter. I find myself completely out of control and wonder how could life could surprise me again and again and again, so completely. How could a man be a cynic? It is a sin.
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.
This is what the Mamba mentality actually looks like.
Jalen Brunson after Game 1 of the Finals. One win in, three to go, and he wore that exact face for the rest of the series.
Wemby shoved him to the floor and laughed about it. Wemby taunted Mitch Robinson and pointed at his own head. The refs tried their hardest to extend the series. Down 29 in Game 4 with the Garden dead silent.
Nothing moved him.
He closed the series with 45 in San Antonio and a unanimous Finals MVP.
"It's over!
It's over
Knick fans
This is not a dream
Your long long wait has ended
Go ahead and cry
After 53 years
The Knicks are finally
NBA champions once again"
–– Mike Breen