This previous Wednesday, we noticed the tip of one of the legendary careers in current reminiscence. Russell Westbrook introduced his retirement from the NBA. He leaves the sport as one of many brightest era-defining superstars of the 2010s.
Westbrook performed in 18 NBA seasons from 2008-26. In that span, he was a polarizing NBA famous person the place everyone had an excessive opinion about his taking part in type. You both completely cherished how intense he performed on the court docket. He was ride-or-die for his trustworthy. And when you have been a part of it, you felt such as you have been in a household.
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Or his inefficiency and demanding psychological errors completely harassed you out. To the purpose that each ill-advised shot try or careless turnover had your blood stress spike to harmful ranges.
For the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, they fortunately sat within the former’s camp — tent up and all the things.
Westbrook loved his greatest years on the Thunder. He spent his first 11 seasons in OKC. In that point, he ascended into a world superstar — lifting the small market with him. NBA followers from internationally shortly realized Oklahoma’s get-to-know-you info. One thing that wasn’t possible earlier than their 2008 relocation.
Alongside Kevin Durant, Westbrook co-starred on OKC’s title contender. The Thunder have been a continuing major character within the 2010s. That they had one NBA Finals journey and 4 Western Convention Finals appearances. Positive, they by no means sat on the NBA’s golden throne, however a decade-long chase of it created core recollections for the primary era of OKC followers.
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In that point, Westbrook stacked up his resume. He was a one-time MVP winner, nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA member. He grabbed two scoring titles and three help titles alongside the best way. Most famously, he utterly redefined the worth of a triple-double. What was as soon as a legendary achievement and basketball’s model of hitting for the cycle was an every-other-night incidence.
On his epic vengeance tour following Durant’s surprising departure, Westbrook broke a 55-year drought because the follow-up act to Oscar Robertson’s legacy-defining accomplishment. He averaged a video-game-esque 30-point triple-double within the 2016-17 season en path to his sole MVP award. He then rattled off the triple-double common feat 4 occasions in a five-year span.
As issues stand proper now, Westbrook comfortably sits atop OKC’s franchise report for complete factors and assists. He additionally owns the all-time triple-double report. With the mixture of a excessive successful charge, postseason success and marvelous particular person stats/accolades, ought to the Thunder retire his No. 0 jersey?
I imply, duh. This text may’ve been quite a bit shorter with only a one-word ‘sure’ response. Seldom do you see the sports activities world have a consensus opinion. The NBA invokes your aggressive juices. However this rhetorical query is a no brainer. Westbrook is likely one of the biggest gamers in OKC historical past. About everyone has him of their Mt. Rushmore of franchise faces — which is sort of the feather in his cap, contemplating how stupidly wealthy the younger franchise is with success at each the person and crew degree.
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Westbrook helped put the Thunder on the NBA map. And when Durant left, he had each purpose to do the identical. As an alternative, he dedicated to being in OKC for over a decade. In that point, he steadied the ship amid rocky waters. Positive, the three solo Westbrook seasons following Durant’s departure did not yield playoff success, however he saved them aggressive and related sufficient to segue them into their present golden period of hoops.
Westbrook was OKC’s first true NBA famous person. When he makes the Basketball Corridor of Fame in three summers, most will fondly keep in mind him for his time on the Thunder. Due to all that, his No. 0 ought to dangle within the Paycom Middle rafters sooner reasonably than later.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Ought to OKC Thunder retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 jersey?