A historic player, but a missed opportunity: A farewell to Russell Westbrook

The fact that Russell Westbrook's farewell video was narrated by Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan explains the place Westbrook holds among the elite of US pop culture. An NBA player whose personal achievements are spectacular, but whose career feels like a missed opportunity, was an acquired taste for fans. Everyone had an opinion about him, and it was never neutral. But among those who played with him and those who knew him better, he was loved and appreciated as an original artist who is hard to criticize.

The man who holds the all-time triple-double record did everything his own way for 18 years. That probably prevented him from having a greater career, but authenticity is a dwindling commodity in the NBA. Perhaps because Russell Westbrook took it all for himself. A well of emotions, zero fakes, an all-time starting five player if you only count effort. His retirement comes a year or two late, but even greater players didn't know how to retire on time, and it's doubtful any of them can honestly say they emptied the fuel tank every night. Russell Westbrook can.

The chase for the record

If nothing extraordinary happens, Nikola Jokic, a big, slow, and jump-less center, will eventually become the player with the most triple-doubles ever. He now has 198, while Westbrook has 209. But Westbrook finished four seasons with a triple-double average, a record no one will likely break. In his 2016/17 MVP season, he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. In the 2020/21 season, when he passed Oscar Robertson, he had 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 11.7 assists. Over the years, the magnitude of this achievement has dimmed, but looking back, four seasons with triple-double averages is an inconceivable resume.

Finding the balance

This dissonance in perception accompanied the 37-year-old Westbrook throughout his career. He started as a point guard with athletic skills the league had never seen in that role. As long as his legs followed his instructions, he was both a spectacle and a leader. When his legs started to falter, Westbrook lost his tactical identity but never his identity as a basketball player or his loyalty. He stayed in Oklahoma City for seven seasons after James Harden left and three after Kevin Durant left to buy himself a championship. He just never managed to find the balance between the constant fire that filled him and the rationality that could have taken him further.

Roots and legacy

Every athlete brings the landscape of their childhood with them. Westbrook grew up on the wrong side of Los Angeles. His father made sure he wouldn't end up like others, and the child learned two things: never forget those left behind, and don't let anyone take your joy from you.

Westbrook the player could drive a person crazy. In the same possession, he could be both an AI version of Michael Jordan and the dumbest player on the court. His teams knew they would live and die with Westbrook. In recent years, his style became too outdated, and his jump shot, once reliable, disappeared. When he played for the Lakers, the crowd's reactions were so insulting that Westbrook stopped bringing his children to games. But even that didn't make him lose his work ethic. He lived a happy family life, contributed to the community, and remained a fashion icon, never losing his joy.

Westbrook's retirement is sad because it feels like the first domino, after which the retirements of the people who made the 21st-century NBA will fall one after another. Each will receive praise, but about none of them will Charles Barkley say: "In my 40 years with the NBA, I haven't seen a player who played as hard every night as Russell Westbrook."