The Man Who Did What He Wanted
Russell Westbrook is finally done. He announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending an 18-season run that left the league in awe. He walked away with 209 triple-doubles, the most ever in NBA history. That number alone separates him from the pack. It proves he played with a ferocity few others could match. According to ESPN, he was a fearless and self-confident player who embraced the moment. He didn’t wait for permission to be great. He just did it.
His career was a mix of highs and friction. He won the 2017 MVP award after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to 47 wins. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists that season. No one had done that since Oscar Robertson in 1962. Yet, he never won a championship. He lost in the conference finals multiple times. He retired without a ring, which some will use to tear him down. That is a mistake. He played his game for 18 years. He never backed down from a fight. As the report notes, his legacy is best summed up by a famous lyric: “Now I do what I want.” That line captures his entire career.
A UCLA Star Who Was Part of a Whole
Before the NBA, he was a Bruin. His time at UCLA was quieter than his pro career. He arrived from Leuzinger High School without the big national profile. He played sparingly as a freshman, averaging just 3.4 points. Arron Afflalo and Darren Collison led a formidable squad that he supported. Things changed in his sophomore year. He moved into the starting lineup and averaged 12.7 points. He led the team with 63 steals. The Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award went to him. The team finished 35-4.
He scored 22 points in the Final Four loss to Memphis. Those numbers made him important, but not the sole star. Kevin Love averaged 17.5 points that same year. Collison added 14.5 points. The New York Post points out that he was part of a talented group. He was not asked to carry the team alone. He was surrounded by exceptional talent like Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. All four players went on to long NBA careers. His college résumé falls short of the greatest Bruins, but his work ethic was clear. He helped the team reach consecutive Final Fours. He was a key piece in a winning machine.
Why The Rings Don’t Matter
People will argue about his ranking because he lacks a title. They will say a champion is the only true great. I say that view ignores the grind. Fifth in assists and 16th in career points are Westbrook’s rankings. He and LeBron James are the only players with 25,000 points and 10,000 assists. He made the 75th anniversary team. That is not a small thing. He was a nine-time All-NBA selection. He was a two-time scoring champion.
The friction with coaches and fans was real. His frenetic energy got under skin. But he kept showing up. He kept working. He set fashion trends and stuffed the stat sheet. In a world of players who try to be perfect, he was just real. He didn’t change his style to please others. He stayed true to himself. When he said, “Yeah, I got it. I [still] got that,” he meant it. He had the skills and the heart. He might not have the ring, but he has the respect of those who know the game. The work is the legacy. The stats prove it. The fans remember the effort. That is enough.
