Russell Westbrook is the guy who you love to bits but at the same time causes you to pull out your hair and shriek in disbelief.
One moment he’s locking up the opposing team’s point guard thereby disrupting the entire offense while on the next play he’s chucking up an ill-advised 35-footer when he could have easily attacked the rack.
This is how I feel whenever I get to catch games of the Brodie and Co. Russ has what it takes to be a top 3 player in the League. He’s got the size, the athleticism, and the skills. He’s any coach’s dream point guard, really. He can be a pesky defender if he wanted to. But of course, by the title of this article, I’m an apologist for Russ. I tend to shut out the bad in favor of the good in spite of what everyone else is saying about my guy.
I often overlook his poor decision-making, especially in the clutch. How couldn’t I? If you were watching his MVP season, whenever the game was close within the final minutes, I was certain Russ was going to have another highlight added to his reel. Remember his game-winning three against the Denver Nuggets that also happened to be his record-breaking triple double? Well I do and that was a heck of play. It’s those kinds of plays that the greats always made and solidified their place in history. That’s how Russ was back in that special year. You just knew that he was going to do something special every night.
I’ve read tons of articles that range from how Russ should change his game or how the Brodie will never win a championship with his play. The points are valid but in spite of it all I’m riding with Russ. Here’s three reasons why in Russ I trust.
1. Jordan and Kobe-esque
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are two all-time greats that set themselves a class above everyone else. Jordan and Kobe were maniacs on and off the court. There was never an in-between with these guys. It was either they were all in or they weren’t at all.
Westbrook, even if his career might suffer long-term (I shelved this piece and as of January 2019, Russ has been showing signs of decreased athleticism which brings a tear to my eye), never takes nights off. Sure, rest is good and important, but being basketball players, there shouldn’t be any reason not to lace ’em up and put on a show for the fans.
Even if Jordan and Kobe were nursing injuries, as long as they could play, they would play. Westbrook, who has history with his cheekbone and knee surgeries, plays every game like it was his last. Westbrook even takes the All-Star Game seriously. When all the guys are just laughing and horsing around, the Brodie is getting his game going as if it were a playoff game. The only difference in February is the smile Russ has while he obliterates the competition.
Even Jordan sees himself in the 2017 NBA MVP while Kobe shares that his competitive nature and drive reminds him of his younger days.
Being mentioned in the same breath with these two legends is a feat many hoopers try to achieve. But for these GOATs to say it themselves, well that’s an entirely different ballgame.
2. Love me for who I am
Russ has that “zero fucks given” attitude. In an era where social media has everyone tippy-toeing and holding back, Russ is as aggressive as if he saw the lane open for one of his thunderous slams.
It’s crazy just how much this dude doesn’t care about what the media thinks. It’s hilarious how Russ has brewed fear in the hearts of reporters. Every NBA interview compilation has a clip of Russ snapping at a reporter and it’s crazy funny. He has so much of these moments that he even has his own montage and memes.
This guy is a walking highlight, both on and off the court. If he isn’t finishing a breakaway dunk, he’s probably making reporters sweat at postgame pressers. It doesn’t matter where he is or what he’s doing. Russ will be Russ. The only question is whether you’ll love him to bits or hate him completely.
3. Why Not?
But perhaps what pulls me towards Westbrook’s persona is his slogan and life mantra – Why Not?
Often times in life, we arrive at moments when we doubt who we are and what we can do. Whether you’re a student that fears not making the grade average needed for your course or you’re a parent who doesn’t know where to get next month’s mortgage payments, sometimes it’s difficult to believe that we’ll get through and achieve what we set out to.
This is where I truly resonate with Russ. Sure you’ll say that for a point guard, he’s bigger and stronger than the competition, but then again, Russ doesn’t just stay in the perimeter. For a floor general, Russ spends a lot of court time jostling for position in the paint, against guys that are five or six inches taller than him. In spite of this disadvantage, most of the time, Russ is getting that rebound and there’s no one stopping him (not even Steven Adams, eh?).
Russ stuck his middle finger right in the faces of everyone who doubted him during his MVP campaign. Fresh of the shock of KD’s departure, Russ went on full on sicko mode and achieved what many believed was impossible all the while willing his hodge-podge squad to the playoffs.
No rebound is too far enough for the Brodie. Cos #WhyNot, right?
The elusive triple-double season average, which was previously accomplished only by Oscar Robertson in the 60s, became a nightly countdown during the 2016-2017 NBA season when Russ was the darling of every fan of the League.
Russ broke the 55 year-old record easily so much so that the following season, he quietly averaged yet another triple-double season. It’s crazy how a record that seemed impossible to replicate was done two consecutive seasons. What a time to be alive.
I admire Russ’ commitment to things he sets his mind to. Whenever I’m faced with a situation that seems impossible, I always manage to ask why not under my breath or simply in my thoughts.
Russ used to be the guy who would undoubtedly take the final shot. But this season, in his sophomore campaign with Paul George, Russ has noticeably deferred to his partner in the clutch. A welcome sign for Russ and OKC fans for sure!
As a guy that roots for Russ’ professional success, it’s often difficult to find joy in the form of late postseason runs and champagne showers. However throughout the Brodie’s struggles, I am able to see values that I believe work not only on the hardcourt, but more importantly out and about in the world.
Go Russ! Go Thunder!
BasketBola 