NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Why does it have to happen like this? For years, Kobe Bryant was misunderstood. He was labeled a ball hog, a bad teammate, and was often left off being considered one of the greats. It wasn’t until his retirement and his death that basketball fans realized his place in history. Russell Westbrook is on that same collision course.
For all the accolades he has accomplished over his career, Westbrook still gets a bad rap. His game is misunderstood and that’s due to analysts and fans not understanding what he brings to the game.
Kobe was hard-nosed and cared about nothing but winning. His commitment to the game was stronger than anyone we’ve witnessed, well, except Michael Jordan and Westbrook. That Mamba Mentality was defined as arrogance and fake. It wasn’t until his death that the stories began to make sense. And with that, those same naysayers began to look at Kobe differently. The same goes for Westbrook.
His demeanor on the court resembles Kobe’s but all we hear is that he’s not a team player and he only cares about stats. That’s so not true. How many current or former teammates have gone on record with negative remarks about Westbrook? Think about that for a second.
Kevin Durant won an MVP Award with Westbrook as a teammate. Paul George played his best basketball with Westbrook at his side. Victor Oladipo’s game became more well-rounded with Westbrook and his teammates such as Serge Ibaka, James Harden, and now Bradley Beal have thrived with Westbrook by their side. When did Westbrook EVER steal their shine? If anything, their games thrived with him leading the point of attack.
So, the triple-doubles are considered stat-padding? But was it called that when Oscar Robertson, Jason Kidd, and Rajon Rondo were doing it? What has made Westbrook Public Enemy No. 1 when players were doing it well before he was?
What it is, is that Westbrook took his game to another level and others still can’t understand how he does something so easily that others have a hard time.
For four of the last five seasons, Westbrook has averaged a triple-double and done so while winning 70 percent of his games. So, why the hate? What team would not want a player like that on their roster? And once again, how many former players have said that Westbrook is about his stats and not winning?
Westbrook is compared to Stephen Curry and Damion Lillard when he should be the measuring stick for point guard greatness. OK, so he has no championship to call his own but how many Hall of Famers fall into that category? Sometimes that cards are just not in a players favor.
As the hits keep coming, his season with the Washington Wizards just completely flew under the radar. Chris Paul was in the MVP discussion for leading the Phoenix Suns out of the Western Conference basement and the same for Curry. But where was the love for what Westbrook did with with Wizards with far less talent? He did have Beal but when Beal went down and the Wizards in danger of missing the playoffs, Westbrook put them on his back and made sure they achieved their goal.
But through it all, the backlash continues to come. I remember telling a Wizards’ fan when Westbrook arrived that he would change the dynamic of that team and bring a winning attitude.
This was Beal’s season to up his trade value, instead, Westbrook may have saved Beal’s place in DC while opening the door for other free agents to come. This is how winning starts. Westbrook may never lead the Wizards to a title. Hell, he may never lead any team to a title but to keep pushing his greatness to the side as if he’s a normal player is just beyond disrespectful.
Take it from Bradley Beal when asked about the hustle of Westbrook…
He’s been great. It’s been so ironic, because from the beginning of the year before the trade [for Westbrook], there’s always the misconception of Russ. He doesn’t get along with coaches or his team. It’s just all about ‘Me, me, me, me.’ It’s the complete opposite. And, like, I love everything about him. He’s a great character guy. And his approach to the basketball game is what helped me have the year I’m having. And it helped us turn the year around
If Westbrook or Beal were to leave this offseason, they both will walk out the door knowing they gave their all to turn a franchise around and show the younger players what it’s like to win. How much winning was Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom doing before Kobe took them under his wing?
Fans and analysts view championships as a players measure of success. But for Russell Westbrook, it’s goes much deeper than that. The sad part is, everyone refuses to give this man his roses while he’s still here.
