LeBron James Leads Tributes to Russell Westbrook After Ending 18-Year Career -“HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE!!”

Russell Westbrook was fielding offers to continue playing another season in the NBA but decided it was time.

LeBron James Leads Tributes to Russell Westbrook After Ending 18-Year Career -“HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE!!”

Russell Westbrook and LeBron James (Image via Fullcourtpass/X)

Over the past 18 seasons, basketball fans have always seen Russell Westbrook as one of the hardest-working players who ended up elevating himself to become a future Hall of Famer.

Starting from when he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the point guard was living proof that elite athleticism combined with grit and determination can get you somewhere in this league.

A regular-season MVP award, nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA selections, two regular-season scoring titles, three assists leader titles, and a place in the NBA’s 75th anniversary team are accolades any player would wish for.

But over the last few years, the dynamic guard has been struggling to hold down a job for various reasons. In Denver, there were allegations that he was enjoying benefits that did not align with his production.

Then, at the Sacramento Kings this past season, his work on the court did not relate to winning. In the offseason, there were rumors that teams were wary of his reputation for being uncoachable.

It seems all those rumors made it clear to the 37-year-old that it is probably a good time to call it a career. Russell Westbrook, with some help from Hollywood star Michael B. Jordan, announced his retirement earlier with a video showcasing his journey, as well as what he is looking forward to.

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NBA players and celebrities give Russell Westbrook his flowers

As soon as this news dropped, one of the first people to respond, surprisingly, was LeBron James. The King and Russell Westbrook have not been on speaking terms ever since the latter departed the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, this was the four-time champion supposedly offering an olive branch and also giving his former teammate the flowers he deserves. The likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and many other NBA players, and even some celebrities, joined in to praise the point guard on his stellar career.

LeBron James' comment
LeBron James’ comment (Image via SS/IG)
Kevin Durant, Draymond Green & Michael Phelps
Kevin Durant, Draymond Green & Michael Phelps (Image via SS/IG)
James Harden's comment
James Harden’s comment (Image via SS/IG)
Giannis Antetokounmpo's comment
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comment (Image via SS/IG)

Russell Westbrook may have preferred to continue playing in the NBA, considering he still has quite a bit of that athleticism that made him great. However, it seems the offers were vanishing before his eyes. That led him to leave the game on his terms.

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Russell Westbrook had two offers on the table

It is difficult for superstar athletes to know when to leave the game. They have lived most of their lives believing that they are the best. But it seems Russell Westbrook somehow knew he should not go on with whatever was left in his career.

Westbrook had an offer to return to the Kings
Westbrook had an offer to return to the Kings (Image via SM Highlights/X)

Russell Westbrook had offers this offseason with the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards but chose to step away from the game on his own terms, sources told Shams Charania.

ESPN revealed on X

Rejoining the Kings would mean that he would again face the criticism he did last season. Had he returned to the Wizards, he would likely face the same ring-chasing allegations LeBron James is facing.

Therefore, he probably felt that it was best to stop now, rather than continue to become fodder for social media trolls. Such narratives only go on to malign what was a stellar and Hall of Fame-caliber career.

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