I’m going to do the Big 12 realignment piece later this week. Today, I wanted to write about Russell Westbrook.
Even though, at times, I’ve wanted to strangle Russell, in the end he has to be my favorite Thunder player ever with Nick at 2 and Kevin at 3.
Russell is clearly the Allen Iverson of this generation as a player, but as a person I love Russell.
Unless he’s fooled me… he’s a wonderful guy with his priorities in line. His devotion to his family and his inner circle are very similar to the way I’ve tried to approach my own journey through life.
I love the manner in which he was loyal to his teammates and to Sam Presti despite some of the things I’ve written on this blog.
I love the manner in which he has cared for his parents and his younger brother Ray.
I love the manner in which he values his own family. Russell and Kevin are exactly the same age as my son…..and I know what it feels like to be proud of your son in these crazy times in America.
I also love the fact he was kind to my guy Austin Reaves and took an undrafted player like Austin and helped AR become a well paid member of the NBA family. I’ve watched Austin closely since he transferred to OU from Wichita State and I’m truly touched how kind Russell was considering AR took his place in the Laker rotation.
As I morph myself in retirement…I’d actually like to be a volunteer on the Thunder Reading Bus or in one of Russell’s Reading Rooms. That would be a comfortable wheelhouse for me and I wouldn’t wear a Warriors’ jersey.
When you think it through…..Russell Westbrook has to be the greatest Thunder player of all-time despite the lack of a ring.