Russell Westbrook was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft from the UCLA Bruins. Westbrook was a relentless player during his 18-year career in the NBA. He first started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook made his only NBA Finals appearance in 2011-2012, where they lost to the Miami Heat in five games. They had Serge Ibaka, James Harden, and Kevin Durant together.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 27: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets argues with an official during the second half of their game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on November 27, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
No one played harder than Westbrook throughout his NBA career. During his 1,301 games in the NBA, he averaged 20.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 8.0 APG. He only averaged 0.3 BPG and 1.6 SPG. Westbrook also won the MVP in 2016-2017 after Durant left the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors. It will be interesting to see what will be next for him during his life after a hall of fame career. He should no doubt be a first ballot hall of famer. He also played for the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Fans React to Russell Westbrook Retiring From the NBA
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 18, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the 76ers 111-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
A lot of NBA fans are not surprised that Westbrook is finally retiring from the NBA. He wasn’t the same player during the final five years of his NBA career. This is what some NBA fans had to say about his retirement from the league:
russ was cooked for like 5 years straight, congrats on finally accepting it
— chrissy ❤️ (@christyscotty) August 14, 2026
Congrats on an incredible 18 year career Russ!🔥 All time triple double king MVP and one of the most electric players to ever step on the court. You had to be there… and now it’s over. Legend💯
— Above (@Draxnati0n) August 14, 2026
This retirement feels like we are going to experience a generational shift in the sport. It surely feels like we are going to experience a series of retirements who were currently ruling the last decade.
Russ and those Thunder days were outstanding.
— PRED 🏀 (@predhoops) August 14, 2026
he had the biggest balls,ever!,i admired him,kind of crazy sometimes as a player and as an individual,but no one cant take that away from him!👏👊
— jcvs (@jcvs828) August 14, 2026
18 years means he played against three different eras of basketball
— Volodymyr Pavlenko (@mindinpanic) August 14, 2026
Westbrook will go down as one of the best point guards to ever play the game without a title. There were many people across the league that felt like he was one of the best at his position. He also recorded a ton of triple-doubles throughout his NBA career also.
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