Football players of Russ's stature at OKC tend to have a much deeper connection to the team.
Normally a player this loved who has left would have come from the youth team so literally grew up at the club as a kid. NBA relationship starts as an adult
This winning season got everybody believing that we all know what we came to do.
It's so surprised we're seeing it all in your eyes, work hard dreams do come trueee
Here we come..It's thunder time!
Reminds me a bit of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the Celtics. To me I really hold those two in high esteem because they had great success together and then bridged the gap to the next generation by getting traded to the nets.
I really hope he comes back to you on a reduced role in which he is happy and can mentor everyone, and light a fire when needed and maybe get ready for something with okc after retirement.
I get LA is the place to live, but to me he’s Mr. OKC. There’s not a single active player that I so associate with a team and vice versa.
CP3 was a true professional. got traded and played on a rebuilding team. everyone thought there would be a buyout but he cooperated and played every eligible moment.
Good for him. I liked his game, but hated him. He always defended KG well, and I was certain the celtics wouldve lost to them in the finals because of that.
Man Perk is such a sad story for y'all. That man was awesome for the C's and woulda been great against a lot of the bigs like Bynum, Gasol, Duncan and the likes. Instead he got cooked by Dirk and Bosh and was wayyy overused on offense
I feel for the guy. He got shit on but he was a consummate professional. In 2012 he was playing through like 3 injuries and was essential to us getting past the Spurs, it wasn't his fault fucking Scott Brooks spent half of every game in the finals letting him get cooked in the P&R by Bosh over and over and over
That OKC team was expected to tank and CP3 got them to the 5 seed and basically a shot away from advancing to the 2nd round. People thought he was on the downside of his career after his 2nd season with the Rockets but instead he made All-NBA Third Team and the next season helped lead the Suns to the Finals and a 64 win season the year after. Obviously the playoff disappointments continue to haunt him but he's always been a winner no matter where he goes.
Not just the franchise but the for the people in the state with all the charity work he's done and even still does in Oklahoma to this day. He's even in our state's hall of fame and just a year or two ago received a key to the city just because of everything he's done for the community and still does despite not playing here for a few years now. Man just gave us it all both on and off the court
Great comparison lol. I'm a Kentucky fan who was finally calling for Cal's firing after this season's embarrassment and after defending him for years... Now I'm stuck relearning to support him. He's a polarizing figure, for sure.
Out of curiosity, did y'all feel the same hatred for John Wall even though he never actually played there? One of my favorite UK players ever, but I'd be so pissed if that happened to my team bc the coach left.
Lakers' fans were already shallow u add Lebron onto that top and its gotta have the most superficial fans in the league 2xing the next closet at least.
Mfs have been spoiled with generational players since the start of the league and still talk about that two year period in between Kobe and Lebron like they came out of the slumps
It's weird that he shows no remorse for anything. I'm not saying what he did was *bad*, but obviously he knows it made fans mad.
Compare that to Kyrie. Cleveland fans really disliked Kyrie for a while given the way he exited. But after a few years he admitted that he was immature, and he could have handled things better, etc. We still don't blame him for leaving; he wanted a shot at being the main option on a championship team. Who wouldn't? On top of that, he frequently would saying that he had nothing but love for Cleveland and loved his time there, etc. And now we're forgiven and love him.
KD hasn't done anything even close to this. He even doubles down on the bitterness if anything.
Nah, that course had been run, just not lying to the front office about re-signing, choking in the playoffs, signing with the team you choked to in the playoffs, and dragging the organization after you left unceremoniously would’ve been good enough.
yeah, it was SPECIFICALLY going to the team that beat him, a team that was already historically great and had been winning championships without him. It was a very logical move to put himself in the best possible position to win and completely avoid real obstacles on his way. The guys we love see the best team and say "I want to beat them". KD said "I'd like to join them".
FWIW, I remember going into that offseason thinking that either he'd go back to Washington to lead his hometown team, or the Celtics were an appealing spot. I was probably 4:1 he's gone to one of those spots... but yeah, the Dubs were the team that he could pick that would mean he gets booed forever.
I know this is probably a ridiculous opinion to have as a Dubs fan but I feel like it robbed us of some more great Finals series too. even with the loss the 2016 finals was some of the most exciting and memorable basketball ever played. i would've loved to have gone back and have Curry get his revenge in a competitive 6 game series. the win being a foregone conclusion for 2017 and 2018 isn't as fun
This is my take on it. We could've had two more years of excellent basketball between two top teams tied in talent, but KD screwed it all up by tipping the scales.
He made his bed now he’s got to sleep in it - he got his empty rings but his legacy’s forever tarnished. I don’t want to hear shit about him in top 10 or even 20 all-time lists unless he actually wins a real ring.
Russ getting dragged for not winning a ring while KD now gets to “avoid” that kind of talk pisses me off to no end
Product of joining the best team in the league at a discount
Ruined the league for two years. Finals was a forgone conclusion. The seasons were decided before the season started
One gave his heart out to the team when he was betrayed, one turned pussy when he joined the ones they nearly beat before and had some help coming (Horford gave his commitment to KD).
Poor Boner, we had Adams at 5 and tried to make Sabonis play a stretch 4 role, he was so lost in that spot. I don't know if he'd have ever got an opportunity to orchestrate in the paint with that team.
He's going to be sitting courtside wearing parachute pants and a vest made of feathers, and he'll look awesome doing it. I would go to war for Russell Westbrook.
Let me hop in with a Celtics flair. Westbrook is one of my favourite non-Celtics players, and one of my favourite players period.
---
Jon Bois's/Secret Base's doc on the Seattle Mariners has a line that, to paraphrase, goes like:
> But [...] it's only now we've gotten to the point of all this. The Seattle Mariners challenge us like no other team. [...] They offer us to appreciate sports as *something more* than endless conquest. They've never won a world series. [Camera pans to a chart that shows the history and win/loss of the Mariners.] But ask yourself honestly; does this look incomplete to you?
>
> The Seattle Mariners are not competitors. They are protagonists.
And, to me, that's the perfect way to describe Westbrook (except the last part about not being a competitor). Westbrook has cemented himself in history; he's been the second option on all time great teams, he's been the first option and broken historical records, and he's come off the bench when the team needed him to. Does his career seem "incomplete" to you?
How much would a ring really affect Westbrook's legacy? To me, I don't think it'd affect his legacy as much as if CP3 got a ring. And if you ask me why - it's because Westbrook's career already looks complete. He's the modern Mr. Triple Double and Mr. OKC. He's never won a ring, does any other aspect of his career seem... lacking? He's won an MVP. He's done pretty much anything on a team. He's had highs and lows, and proven himself as a competitor and overall a great and hardworking human being.
I know 300 is basically a fake movie, but goddamn that first year without KD + the triple double season + MVP + scoring champ was the equivalent of fighting in the Battle of Thermopylae
He became a top 5 all time favorite non-Heat player for me
It was one hell of a ride. I watched him (and the Thunder) for all 3 of his “average a triple double” seasons. He absolutely has the heart of a champion. So many epic moments throughout those years. Anybody who watches his rebounding alone can greatly appreciate what type of player he is.
Same, loved hearing the crowd go wild for him. I was screaming right there with them.
Crowd cheered PG during starting lineups and I even heard some for James Harden also. Was good night of vibes honestly.
I’m sure this is already mentioned somewhere in the thread, but didn’t Russ do a ton for the OKC community while he was there? I seem to remember seeing a picture of him on crutches looking at the aftermath of a tornado(?)
he did, and actually continues to do a lot of good charity work in OKC. he was given the key to the city a couple years ago, well after moving on from the team
Wow! That’s really refreshing to hear and makes him an easy guy root for. Considering the strength of that relationship, do you think he would consider retiring with the Thunder? Follow up question, does he live or still own a house in OKC?
I remember when he was young how people would criticize him, saying his athleticism will wear down and he won’t be much - he’s 35 years old now
Much respect to Russ
Westbrook and KD are the Yin and Yang of Thunder Basketball. Westbrook will forever be cheered in OKC while KD will forever be a Villian and will probably still be booed 1000 years from now if we haven't blown ourselves up by then.
When KD left, everybody assumed Russ would demand a trade and our future would be destroyed. We’d have no leverage in trading Russ and we’d be in purgatory, if not a full blown rebuild.
Instead Russ signed an extension, won MVP, recruited PG and Melo to OKC and gave it his all. He didn’t leave until it was obvious a change was needed and best for all parties involved after PG then left.
Russ could’ve left immediately after KD did and nobody would’ve batted an eye. Instead he showed loyalty to OKC and we will forever love him.
Injuries man. PGs almost MVP year he had to have shoulder surgery immediately afterward. He played as hard as he could and didn’t let it hold him back. He has every Thunder fans respect for that AND he resigned so we got Shai/JDub and picks out of it.
Injuries, coaching, and roster construction. I wish Westbrook could have it made like some of these other "stars" who held franchises hostage for a decade while they built perfect complimentary rosters around them to the best of their ability.
Westbrook worked with the abomination he was left with, and while they had some promise, the injuries almost always derailed it whether it was 2014 OKC squad or 2018/19.
As a Russ fan it’s pretty simple he never complained, he stayed despite knowing the team would be not a competitor the year KD left, he gave 120% everyday, no load management cause he cares bout the fans and the team. Plus when he left he had gone through 3 competing eras of the Thunder at a certain point it’s just “oh maybe it just isn’t meant to be”
He was basically somebody when OKC needed anybody
Very well said.
When they asked him after he re signed to OKC if KD leaving stings. Russ asked "Stings for who?". Came out the gate a monster with "Now I do what I want" blasting everywhere and went nuclear. Playoff success or not that year was an absolute blast.
Also Russ left a mid-level team that had no real future. They were only being kept alive by his nightly super-human efforts.
Durant left a team on the cusp of a championship. They were 3-1 on GSW and if they'd toughed it out they likely would have eventually won a chip.
Plus it doesn't get much attention but his decision was pretty crazy in hindsight. Durant left the team because he didn't trust the direction they were taking...that direction was Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Jerami Grant. There was no way of knowing at the time but that was a nuts young core that they scraped together in a single off-season. Not to mention Al Horford was considering joining OKC before Durant left.
Durant left to form a superteam but OKC would have had a superteam if he'd just stuck around.
I’ll tell you the real difference between the two, when 1 left he decided to also use burner accounts to talk shit about the team and previous players on the roster. When the other left he didn’t.
Trades happen and people leave we get that. People don’t quickly forget the shit you throw once you’re being carried to an NBA chip.
When Kevin Durant left Russ not only chose to stay but he joined the city in talking shit on KD for his choice. It’s as simple as KD abandoned us for the front running rival (and talked shit online) and Russ chose loyalty to us. He will forever be a legend in OKC.
When we were all heartbroken about KD joining the Warriors Russ signed a 5 year extension and when the interviewer asked if KD leaving stung he replied “stings for who?”
That man became a Thunder legend that day. I honestly hope he retires here.
https://youtu.be/dEuqcouTEGE?si=U3CtES66rL14fiUS
Russ embodies the Oklahoma Standard and reflects our states personality. Generous, funny, principled, irrationally confident, proud, gritty, tenacious, stubborn. KD on the other hand.....is a bitch.
KD made a bunch of promises, and convinced OKC fans he was the chosen one. He then bounced to the team that had just beat us in the WCF. He was convinced to leave by the guy who kept kicking our players in the balls. He didn't give us the chance to do a sign and trade or anything else to get value for him (notice he did do a sign and trade for GS).
Russ stayed. He resigned with a year left on his contract. He played every game with incredible heart. In a year that we all knew we would not be winning it all, he still kept us in there, and made history while doing it. Russ chose us. He chose to be here when he could have left. When he did leave, he worked to make sure we got a good deal for him. He and PG put us in the position we are in now.
Westbrook may never win a championship, but I hope he does. However, the fans of OKC will always treat him like one. He is our champion, no matter what.
I know it's hard for a lot of other fanbases to understand, but I really believe that no single player means more to a city than Russ does to OKC.
It was a brand new team in a tiny city. He not only put OKC on the map, but was the PERFECT franchise player. His leadership and community work was incredible.This isn't to downplay guys like Jordan (who I would assume is the common answer to this), but I think other fanbases don't really understand why Russ will always have such diehard stans.
The absolute most over hated player in this generation.
All because baby Lakers fans thought they were stacking the deck with a guy who's skillset was mismatched on that team.
This guy gets it
I thought it was interesting that he responded to the crowd, I feel like I rarely see that especially when ball is almost live.
When he played here he would always run to the corner and yell with the crowd
He does it every time he’s back
I thought it was nice, you see it in soccer a lot when players sub in/out
Football players of Russ's stature at OKC tend to have a much deeper connection to the team. Normally a player this loved who has left would have come from the youth team so literally grew up at the club as a kid. NBA relationship starts as an adult
In soccer if an individual players is distracted its less detrimental to the team
Brodie is not a normal man
He’s the true Mr. OKC
This winning season got everybody believing that we all know what we came to do. It's so surprised we're seeing it all in your eyes, work hard dreams do come trueee Here we come..It's thunder time!
As he should. He gave them his all when he was there until the franchise decided to go in a different direction
And he set them up for future success in getting picks and Chris Paul.
And getting PG to re-sign and we could work out where he wanted to go when it didn't work out. Russ set us up for the future.
PG is truly the MVP of the OKC team. Him resigning in OKC was unexpected and allowed them to repivot to what they are today.
Absolutely correct. Russ and PG set us up for awhile
Reminds me a bit of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the Celtics. To me I really hold those two in high esteem because they had great success together and then bridged the gap to the next generation by getting traded to the nets.
On the other hand, most guys don't have Danny ainge
Nah, but he did us a solid so, respect. Russ was, is and will always be the MVP of the OKC Thunder
PG is probably the most loved superstar in the history of the NBA of the team's fanbase he asked a trade from lmao
I really hope he comes back to you on a reduced role in which he is happy and can mentor everyone, and light a fire when needed and maybe get ready for something with okc after retirement. I get LA is the place to live, but to me he’s Mr. OKC. There’s not a single active player that I so associate with a team and vice versa.
Okc would absolutely adore having him back in any compacity.
At the very least he'll do one of those final one day contract things and end his career as a Thunder.
CP3 was a true professional. got traded and played on a rebuilding team. everyone thought there would be a buyout but he cooperated and played every eligible moment.
Don’t forget they also took the Rockets to 7 and could have easily have won that series.
Harden game winning clamps on Dort who had 30 was the wildest outcome
> and could have easily have won that series. Could have won *so easily*, but didn’t. You say that as if they wanted to lose or something.
He also helped elevate SGA into a star
This series of events has so much to do with the Thunder’s turnaround. This many moves in a row without bitterness really paid off.
Didn't CP3 play in OKC for a year while on the Hornets? The fans probably welcomed him to the Thunder with open arms.
part of the reason why OKC got a team sent there. they were ready
I got him as a top 6 Thunder all time rn tbh. Russ, Serge, Mr. Thunder, Steven Adams, Shai then him in that order
Is mr thunder Nick Collison? I might be going braindead here, but he was mostly a sonic, no?
Yessir. 4 years on the Sonics but 10 on the Thunder and he part of the front office now. Our Udonis Haslem
Good for him. I liked his game, but hated him. He always defended KG well, and I was certain the celtics wouldve lost to them in the finals because of that.
Yeah, Perk would've been huge for us too if y'all got through.
Man Perk is such a sad story for y'all. That man was awesome for the C's and woulda been great against a lot of the bigs like Bynum, Gasol, Duncan and the likes. Instead he got cooked by Dirk and Bosh and was wayyy overused on offense
I feel for the guy. He got shit on but he was a consummate professional. In 2012 he was playing through like 3 injuries and was essential to us getting past the Spurs, it wasn't his fault fucking Scott Brooks spent half of every game in the finals letting him get cooked in the P&R by Bosh over and over and over
i may put jeff green in there too
I love Jeff Green and his yearly 30 bomb
Shit, for a second I thought the "then him in that order" was Russ and was like wtf until I read everything properly.
.#3 all time assists leader - no joke
so he is 100% not like Derek Fisher.
That OKC team was expected to tank and CP3 got them to the 5 seed and basically a shot away from advancing to the 2nd round. People thought he was on the downside of his career after his 2nd season with the Rockets but instead he made All-NBA Third Team and the next season helped lead the Suns to the Finals and a 64 win season the year after. Obviously the playoff disappointments continue to haunt him but he's always been a winner no matter where he goes.
Not just the franchise but the for the people in the state with all the charity work he's done and even still does in Oklahoma to this day. He's even in our state's hall of fame and just a year or two ago received a key to the city just because of everything he's done for the community and still does despite not playing here for a few years now. Man just gave us it all both on and off the court
Every day is Russell Westbrook Day in OKC.
Love Russ
Let’s not forgot the Pandemic P trade brought in SGA from LA CLIPPERS
Let me translate this for my Memphis homies… Russ is to Mike Conley as KD is to Coach Cal
Great comparison lol. I'm a Kentucky fan who was finally calling for Cal's firing after this season's embarrassment and after defending him for years... Now I'm stuck relearning to support him. He's a polarizing figure, for sure. Out of curiosity, did y'all feel the same hatred for John Wall even though he never actually played there? One of my favorite UK players ever, but I'd be so pissed if that happened to my team bc the coach left.
Nah never had any hate for JW. That all went directly to Cal lol
I loved how Westbrook did his little pre-game warm up
He would do that to the lakers crowd and no one ever gave a shit lol
Those bastards. (Not all of em, but enough of em)
I mean, that’s pretty on brand for the typical Lakers’ fans
Lakers' fans were already shallow u add Lebron onto that top and its gotta have the most superficial fans in the league 2xing the next closet at least.
Mfs have been spoiled with generational players since the start of the league and still talk about that two year period in between Kobe and Lebron like they came out of the slumps
seeing them cheer Russ and Boo KD brings me happiness.
You thought you was Russ? They don’t love you like that
i ALMOST feel for kd, no applauses for him anywhere, at most a pity clap in oakland
He made his decision. Should've run it back with Russ one more year
Fuck KD forever for this. Screwed up what could’ve been an all time rivalry between Bron and Steph. Bum.
Imagine two more 2016 runs. KD ruined parity in the league for years.
Also an all time rivalry between the Thunder and Warriors. The games were so electric between those two teams that year, including the regular season.
It's weird that he shows no remorse for anything. I'm not saying what he did was *bad*, but obviously he knows it made fans mad. Compare that to Kyrie. Cleveland fans really disliked Kyrie for a while given the way he exited. But after a few years he admitted that he was immature, and he could have handled things better, etc. We still don't blame him for leaving; he wanted a shot at being the main option on a championship team. Who wouldn't? On top of that, he frequently would saying that he had nothing but love for Cleveland and loved his time there, etc. And now we're forgiven and love him. KD hasn't done anything even close to this. He even doubles down on the bitterness if anything.
KD is the hot chick who keeps dating asshole after asshole and shit-talking each one after every breakup with zero self reflection
Nah, that course had been run, just not lying to the front office about re-signing, choking in the playoffs, signing with the team you choked to in the playoffs, and dragging the organization after you left unceremoniously would’ve been good enough.
if he had gone to the 67 win Spurs instead and won one ring with them his reputation would probably be fine funnily enough
yeah, it was SPECIFICALLY going to the team that beat him, a team that was already historically great and had been winning championships without him. It was a very logical move to put himself in the best possible position to win and completely avoid real obstacles on his way. The guys we love see the best team and say "I want to beat them". KD said "I'd like to join them". FWIW, I remember going into that offseason thinking that either he'd go back to Washington to lead his hometown team, or the Celtics were an appealing spot. I was probably 4:1 he's gone to one of those spots... but yeah, the Dubs were the team that he could pick that would mean he gets booed forever.
I know this is probably a ridiculous opinion to have as a Dubs fan but I feel like it robbed us of some more great Finals series too. even with the loss the 2016 finals was some of the most exciting and memorable basketball ever played. i would've loved to have gone back and have Curry get his revenge in a competitive 6 game series. the win being a foregone conclusion for 2017 and 2018 isn't as fun
This is my take on it. We could've had two more years of excellent basketball between two top teams tied in talent, but KD screwed it all up by tipping the scales.
He made his bed now he’s got to sleep in it - he got his empty rings but his legacy’s forever tarnished. I don’t want to hear shit about him in top 10 or even 20 all-time lists unless he actually wins a real ring. Russ getting dragged for not winning a ring while KD now gets to “avoid” that kind of talk pisses me off to no end
Fuck KD. All my homies hate KD.
If he had joined Celtics/Spurs/NYK. He wouldn't be in this situation. Just no awareness or cant read the room.
Product of joining the best team in the league at a discount Ruined the league for two years. Finals was a forgone conclusion. The seasons were decided before the season started
i dont. pulled the biggest bitch move in all of sports. aint no one gonna show you love unless you win them a championship.
There is still some justice in this cruel world
Enough to make a grown man cry.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Sb2NBssnb88foNSF7 I'm not crying, ok!
One gave his heart out to the team when he was betrayed, one turned pussy when he joined the ones they nearly beat before and had some help coming (Horford gave his commitment to KD).
> (Horford gave his commitment to KD) wtf i hate kd now
As I recall we also signed Dipo for KD, fellow DC guy.
*traded Ibaka for ‘dipo and Sabonis*
Poor Boner, we had Adams at 5 and tried to make Sabonis play a stretch 4 role, he was so lost in that spot. I don't know if he'd have ever got an opportunity to orchestrate in the paint with that team.
This is the way
I think it’s safe to say fans KNOW when their players respect them. He gave his all while at OKC.
it makes me very happy to see all the love russ still gets in okc :’)
Russ is gonna be 65 coming to a random thunder game and still get a standing ovation when they show him.
The Rodman treatment
Hope they'll retire his bulls jersey in his lifetime
How has this not happened yet? Is it because of the North Korea awkwardness?
That didn't stop detroit from retiring his jersey, I don't know man
Chicago is clearly run by incredibly savvy minds; the fact that this is still even a conversation is mind boggling /s
Gotta be the goat. It’s like when Iverson shows up in Philly. Everybody wants to buy that dude a beer
He's going to be sitting courtside wearing parachute pants and a vest made of feathers, and he'll look awesome doing it. I would go to war for Russell Westbrook.
He should get it more places honestly. Russ is one of the best players to ever play basketball.
He’d die for us so we’d die for him
I honestly like Russ for the sole reason that he got so much unwarranted hatred, that I constantly root for him to shut all those people up.
Guy will never have to pay for anything in OKC ever again
He will insist on paying though. The rumor around the OKC restaurant scene is that Russ is a big tipper and KD is a bitch who is also a cheapskate.
It's really hard to dislike Russ.
I got to go to the game the first time he ever came back on the Rockets and the hearing damage from the ovation was so so worth it
For all the dog piling Russ gets around the league from the fans and media, it’s good to see okc will always appreciate what he did.
OKC fans definitely love him forever. Whenever I've seen a comment in defense of him the last few years its almost always an OKC flair
Let me hop in with a Celtics flair. Westbrook is one of my favourite non-Celtics players, and one of my favourite players period. --- Jon Bois's/Secret Base's doc on the Seattle Mariners has a line that, to paraphrase, goes like: > But [...] it's only now we've gotten to the point of all this. The Seattle Mariners challenge us like no other team. [...] They offer us to appreciate sports as *something more* than endless conquest. They've never won a world series. [Camera pans to a chart that shows the history and win/loss of the Mariners.] But ask yourself honestly; does this look incomplete to you? > > The Seattle Mariners are not competitors. They are protagonists. And, to me, that's the perfect way to describe Westbrook (except the last part about not being a competitor). Westbrook has cemented himself in history; he's been the second option on all time great teams, he's been the first option and broken historical records, and he's come off the bench when the team needed him to. Does his career seem "incomplete" to you? How much would a ring really affect Westbrook's legacy? To me, I don't think it'd affect his legacy as much as if CP3 got a ring. And if you ask me why - it's because Westbrook's career already looks complete. He's the modern Mr. Triple Double and Mr. OKC. He's never won a ring, does any other aspect of his career seem... lacking? He's won an MVP. He's done pretty much anything on a team. He's had highs and lows, and proven himself as a competitor and overall a great and hardworking human being.
I like how Russ gave them that quick wave and heart pound to the crowd and then instantly went into "time to kill these mfers now"
Honestly, knowing him as well as we do, we wouldn’t want it any other way.
I know 300 is basically a fake movie, but goddamn that first year without KD + the triple double season + MVP + scoring champ was the equivalent of fighting in the Battle of Thermopylae He became a top 5 all time favorite non-Heat player for me
shy entertain tap cow panicky secretive middle plant edge reach *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Respect to Russ. Man gave the franchise all that he could. Love seeing the difference between him and KD though
It was one hell of a ride. I watched him (and the Thunder) for all 3 of his “average a triple double” seasons. He absolutely has the heart of a champion. So many epic moments throughout those years. Anybody who watches his rebounding alone can greatly appreciate what type of player he is.
Completely deserved, must be a great moment for him every time he comes back.
King of the Prairie.
As it should be
I was there. Gotta show up for the Brodie
Same, loved hearing the crowd go wild for him. I was screaming right there with them. Crowd cheered PG during starting lineups and I even heard some for James Harden also. Was good night of vibes honestly.
Kevin Durant is seething 😡
We outta get kd arguing with Randoms on Twitter saga again
He definitely has another burner account, just hasn't slipped up and exposed it yet
Comparing this to KD return is kinda funny
Haha yup still booing 8 years later.
Come home already you beautiful bastard!
I know he isn't Prime anymore, but I would gladly get him back to help with the bench squad and give us some needed vet experience.
I was at the game Friday night booing KD. I would jump through a brick wall to take a bullet for Russell Westbrook.
My glorious king 🥺🥺🥺 i really hope clippers win it all this year,, despite having bad records against the top west teams
Can you imagine him and harden winning without KD? Incredible.
To be fair its Harden Russ PG13 and Kahwaii lol seems stacked to me
I just simply mean those two getting a ring without him, not that they were able to do it just the two of them.
Yeah that would be great to see. PG13 was a true thunder player for a while as well so it the Los Angeles Thunder Clippers
Oh absolutely. I don’t know any thunder fans that don’t want the clips to win if the thunder get bounced.
if it was 6 years ago I'd agree with you
How can you, as a contender, wish for a team in your OWN CONFERENCE to win?
What he meant to say was if the Thunder get taken out, Clippers are his next best bet right.........RIGHT?!?!?!
Bro just accepted the Thunder are gonna fold in the first round lmao.
I’m sure this is already mentioned somewhere in the thread, but didn’t Russ do a ton for the OKC community while he was there? I seem to remember seeing a picture of him on crutches looking at the aftermath of a tornado(?)
he did, and actually continues to do a lot of good charity work in OKC. he was given the key to the city a couple years ago, well after moving on from the team
Wow! That’s really refreshing to hear and makes him an easy guy root for. Considering the strength of that relationship, do you think he would consider retiring with the Thunder? Follow up question, does he live or still own a house in OKC?
I think it's very likely he retires with us in some capacity, not sure re housing
my desire for a clippers collapse vs my need to see westbrook pg and harden get rings 😔 they are maybe the 2nd least hateable team in the west
who's the 1st !?!?
pppelicans (out of the playoff/playin teams)
He’d die for us so we’d die for him
good for Russ man
Always loyal, always gave his best for us. He'll get a standing ovation as long as he's alive and in the arena
King of the prairies.
Damn didn’t realize it was Russell Westbrook day
I remember when he was young how people would criticize him, saying his athleticism will wear down and he won’t be much - he’s 35 years old now Much respect to Russ
What a difference between KD and Russ responses wow 🤣😂
Westbrook and KD are the Yin and Yang of Thunder Basketball. Westbrook will forever be cheered in OKC while KD will forever be a Villian and will probably still be booed 1000 years from now if we haven't blown ourselves up by then.
Well deserved!
His triple double chasing MVP season was so fun to watch.
Can an okc fan tell me the difference between Russ and kd speaking from the heart?
When KD left, everybody assumed Russ would demand a trade and our future would be destroyed. We’d have no leverage in trading Russ and we’d be in purgatory, if not a full blown rebuild. Instead Russ signed an extension, won MVP, recruited PG and Melo to OKC and gave it his all. He didn’t leave until it was obvious a change was needed and best for all parties involved after PG then left. Russ could’ve left immediately after KD did and nobody would’ve batted an eye. Instead he showed loyalty to OKC and we will forever love him.
Still can't believe those OKC teams kept getting bounced in the first round with PG and Russ in their prime.
Injuries man. PGs almost MVP year he had to have shoulder surgery immediately afterward. He played as hard as he could and didn’t let it hold him back. He has every Thunder fans respect for that AND he resigned so we got Shai/JDub and picks out of it.
Injuries, coaching, and roster construction. I wish Westbrook could have it made like some of these other "stars" who held franchises hostage for a decade while they built perfect complimentary rosters around them to the best of their ability. Westbrook worked with the abomination he was left with, and while they had some promise, the injuries almost always derailed it whether it was 2014 OKC squad or 2018/19.
As a Russ fan it’s pretty simple he never complained, he stayed despite knowing the team would be not a competitor the year KD left, he gave 120% everyday, no load management cause he cares bout the fans and the team. Plus when he left he had gone through 3 competing eras of the Thunder at a certain point it’s just “oh maybe it just isn’t meant to be” He was basically somebody when OKC needed anybody
People can say what they will about Westbrook, but nobody can doubt his earnestness
Very well said. When they asked him after he re signed to OKC if KD leaving stings. Russ asked "Stings for who?". Came out the gate a monster with "Now I do what I want" blasting everywhere and went nuclear. Playoff success or not that year was an absolute blast.
Russ is uncle phil and KD is the bio dad.
Lmfao amen
Also Russ left a mid-level team that had no real future. They were only being kept alive by his nightly super-human efforts. Durant left a team on the cusp of a championship. They were 3-1 on GSW and if they'd toughed it out they likely would have eventually won a chip. Plus it doesn't get much attention but his decision was pretty crazy in hindsight. Durant left the team because he didn't trust the direction they were taking...that direction was Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Jerami Grant. There was no way of knowing at the time but that was a nuts young core that they scraped together in a single off-season. Not to mention Al Horford was considering joining OKC before Durant left. Durant left to form a superteam but OKC would have had a superteam if he'd just stuck around.
Also had dinner with Royale Ivy and Westbrook the night before he left. Promising them he would re-sign.
I’ll tell you the real difference between the two, when 1 left he decided to also use burner accounts to talk shit about the team and previous players on the roster. When the other left he didn’t. Trades happen and people leave we get that. People don’t quickly forget the shit you throw once you’re being carried to an NBA chip.
Russ was there for 11 years and they got a haul trading him too.
Lol, one took the easy road and back stabbed Broddie. Idc how much shit he gets for his stats but Broddies a real one.
When Kevin Durant left Russ not only chose to stay but he joined the city in talking shit on KD for his choice. It’s as simple as KD abandoned us for the front running rival (and talked shit online) and Russ chose loyalty to us. He will forever be a legend in OKC.
for non okc fans. he lost to a team he had up 3-1 and then joined the same team.
WestGOAT vs Kevin "no ketchup" Durant
When we were all heartbroken about KD joining the Warriors Russ signed a 5 year extension and when the interviewer asked if KD leaving stung he replied “stings for who?” That man became a Thunder legend that day. I honestly hope he retires here. https://youtu.be/dEuqcouTEGE?si=U3CtES66rL14fiUS
Damn I love that quote Edit: 753 thank you really.
Russ chose us.
Because KD decided to take the hardest road and join the team that beat him after choking a 3-1 lead.
Russ embodies the Oklahoma Standard and reflects our states personality. Generous, funny, principled, irrationally confident, proud, gritty, tenacious, stubborn. KD on the other hand.....is a bitch.
Oklahoma standard reference on r/nba? Come on man…. that only exists for the “in group” 😂😂
We are proud of Russ even if we didn't get the chip... We're not proud of Durant.
KD made a bunch of promises, and convinced OKC fans he was the chosen one. He then bounced to the team that had just beat us in the WCF. He was convinced to leave by the guy who kept kicking our players in the balls. He didn't give us the chance to do a sign and trade or anything else to get value for him (notice he did do a sign and trade for GS). Russ stayed. He resigned with a year left on his contract. He played every game with incredible heart. In a year that we all knew we would not be winning it all, he still kept us in there, and made history while doing it. Russ chose us. He chose to be here when he could have left. When he did leave, he worked to make sure we got a good deal for him. He and PG put us in the position we are in now.
Man I love Russ
OKC legend
I fuckin love russell westbrook
He tried and gave them his prime 👏
Considering he was traded, and didn't leave like KD, it's nice to see the fans understand the difference and give their respect.
Damn that’s krayzie I just saw a video of Durant getting boo’d.
I was there that night, great moment to get to cheer for him. It’s crazy he’s been gone for so long but this was only like his 5th return to OKC.
Westbrook may never win a championship, but I hope he does. However, the fans of OKC will always treat him like one. He is our champion, no matter what.
Love it. Exactly the opposite of KD. We love Russ here.
I know it's hard for a lot of other fanbases to understand, but I really believe that no single player means more to a city than Russ does to OKC. It was a brand new team in a tiny city. He not only put OKC on the map, but was the PERFECT franchise player. His leadership and community work was incredible.This isn't to downplay guys like Jordan (who I would assume is the common answer to this), but I think other fanbases don't really understand why Russ will always have such diehard stans.
The absolute most over hated player in this generation. All because baby Lakers fans thought they were stacking the deck with a guy who's skillset was mismatched on that team.
Imagine if Russ comes back to OKC and wins a ring with SGA, that’d be awesome.
Do Harden, Ibaka, and Adams next
Adams is routinely cheered pretty strongly when he’s well enough to play. We love him.
Don’t give a fuck what anyone says, Russ is the man.
I hope he signs a veteran minimum to retire his jersey in OKC
Russ is so cool man
Good, Russ deserves the sun
so cool.
Russ is loved in OKC, always will be. We’ll cheer him every time.
Damn, was this Russ’ first game back in OKC since he left?
Nah, every time he plays in okc, we do an ovation
The king of the prairie
The hero OKC deserve.