How the NBA World Will Remember Russell Westbrook’s Historic Career

After eighteen seasons, Russell Westbrook has announced that this past year was his last. While most fans of the game have shown appreciation for the legend, he hasn’t always been shown this kind of love.

On one hand, his accomplishments are undeniable. An MVP, nine-time All-NBA, and some of the craziest stat lines we have ever seen. On the other hand, he has been the target of heavy scrutiny throughout his career. He never won a championship despite his talent. He’s been accused of stat padding and bad shot selection, and his career didn’t end very gracefully. So, is the love Russ is getting now deserved, or was his career not actually that great?

The Pros and Cons

Russell Westbrook has done things we have never seen on a basketball court before. That much is undeniable. Before 2016, Oscar Robertson was the only player to average a triple-double for a season. Beginning with his MVP season, Russ did it four times in five years.

He led the league in scoring twice and in assists three times. In each of his nine All-Star seasons, he was named to the All-NBA team as well. Despite the overwhelming production, however, Westbrook received a bad rep. Fans pointed to his turnovers, which he led the league in four times, the amount of shots he took, which he led the league in three times, and his wild, almost aggressive attitude.

But that's exactly what made him Russ. The pregame dances, iconic soundbites and ferocity were a package deal with the outrageous level of production. What really pushed the hate over the edge, though, was his stint with the Lakers. 

The Beginning of the End

In his lone season in Washington, Westbrook averaged a triple-double and finished just outside of the top 10 in MVP voting. He was subsequently dealt to LA. Joining LeBron and company did not work out for the former fourth-overall pick, though, as Westbrook was forced to play off the ball for the first time in his career. This led to a drastic dip in his efficiency and overall production, which only fueled the narrative that he was an inefficient shot chucker. Russ was widely considered washed, and he became more well-known as “Westbrick” than by his real name. 

The Lakers ultimately traded him to their crosstown rivals, where Westbrook rechanneled his abilities and became a valuable contributor off the bench. He finished top 10 in sixth man of the year voting twice as a member of the Clippers and once with the Nuggets before joining the Kings for his final season. 

Defining Westbrook's Legacy

While his career did redeem itself in a way, most people view the second half of his career as a decline. In reality, it’s just the opposite. Yes, Westbrook was not good while wearing purple and gold, but the fit made things way worse. He went from leading the league in usage to being relegated to the third option as a below-average 3-point shooter.

Once he moved on from the Lakers, Russ’s time with the Clippers showed us something else about him. He was going to do whatever it took to win.

Russell Westbrook was one of the most polarizing players ever. He made up for the offensive production of an entire time by himself. Still, a lot of the gripes with Westbrook’s game were legitimate. The Turnovers, contested shots, and poor efficiency were all real. But the player labeled selfish, stubborn, and obsessed with his own stats accepted a bench role and thrived. 

That’s what makes his career so unique. Westbrook was never a perfect player, but his flaws shouldn’t overshadow how incredible his career was. He competed like no one else, produced at a level we had never seen before, and eventually proved that he was willing to sacrifice his role for the sake of winning.

So while fans hated on him during his career, the love they are showing him now isn't because they’re looking through rose-colored glasses. It’s because when you look back at his career, there’s nothing to hate.