After 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the place once called home will always be home for Russell Westbrook.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who came after being traded by the Los Angeles Clippers, applauded the city’s first icon for an amazing career.
“Russ is like Oklahoma’s baby. So I don’t think there will ever be another. He was the first guy… I mean, you just feel him in the streets. Like, Russ is everywhere. He’s a pioneer for what we stand on. So it’s hard to even compare. Hats off to Russ and his career,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
The two-time MVP talked about Westbrook’s personality on and off the court, and said he believes the 37-year-old guard can still compete at the highest level.
“He’s as dynamic as they come in terms of NBA player, personality, teammate… He deserves all those flowers for what he’s done off the court and on the court. Obviously, a little shocking that it’s this soon. I thought he had a little bit more in the tank,” he added.
Westbrook is known for his loyalty, but he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019 in exchange for Chris Paul and multiple round picks.
The former Thunder guard earned the MVP award with the Thunder and became famously known for being a triple-double machine, and leaves the team as the all-time franchise leader in points, assists, and triple-doubles.
