INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant turned the Oklahoma City Thunder into a powerhouse in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association NBA The franchise which moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City shortly after Durant and Westbrook joined the team in 2008 quickly took root in its new home Together Westbrook and Durant helped the Thunder reach the playoffs six times including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2012 But after the Thunder blew a 3 1 lead to the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals Durant faced free agency and a chance for a fresh start Rather than stay in Oklahoma City with his friend he joined the team that beat them the Golden State Warriors It was a landscape altering decision for Durant and one that shocked Oklahoma City It also shocked Westbrook who would soon face his own free agency decision in 2018 Many thought that Westbrook’s best chance of something great had just walked out the door The two had been both teammates and friends When Durant won league Most Valuable Player MVP honors in May 2014 he expressed his gratitude to Russ at length with a heartfelt speech in which he famously thanked just about everyone in his life I know you guys think I forgot Russ But I could speak all night about Russell An emotional guy who will run through a wall for me I don’t take it for granted A lot of people put unfair criticism on you as a player and I’m the first to have your back man through it all Just stay the person you are 4
Russell Westbrook has become a mainstay in the Oklahoma City community through his play on the court and his charity outside of sports 5 Introduction
Everybody loves you here You make me better You set the tone You’re an MVP-caliber player It’s a blessing to play with you man When Durant left Westbrook behind though their friendship was shattered And it seemed clear that the Thunder would struggle Many people thought that Westbrook would not be able to carry the Thunder on his own But those skeptics knew little about Russell Westbrook Without Durant the Thunder superstar transformed into one of the greatest scoring threats in the league After Durant left what followed was one of the most legendary individual seasons in NBA history Westbrook has changed into a force of nature in the NBA But perhaps more important he has become one of basketball’s most unique stars From his sense of style to his work ethic on and off the court Westbrook has proven his star power and hustle countless times in his NBA career Furthermore he has proven his commitment to the people around him including those in Oklahoma City Westbrook has gone above and beyond any expectations he had growing up in Long Beach California Durant was right about one thing the point guard was and is MVP-caliber 6 RUSSELL WESTBROOK TRIPLE-DOUBLE SUPERSTAR
Why Not Russ Russell Westbrook III was born on November 12 1988 in Long Beach California His parents Russell Westbrook Jr and Shannon Horton raised him in Hawthorne California The couple also had another son Russell’s younger brother Raynard Westbrook poses with members of his family left to right his wife Nina his brother Raynard and his parents Shannon and Russell Jr 7 CHAPTER ONE
