[Highlight] Westbrook gets intentionally fouled but still makes the shot!
We finally get to see some positive things about russ
The Reddit pendulum swings hard
Russell Westbrook was always my friend
Elite reference
No it’s the retirement pendulum, this shit always happens regardless if it’s reddit or not
I think it’s more like Russ was either absolutely incredible or complete ass - no inbetween. So haters and glazers alike had plenty of ammunition
I couldn’t stand that stupid circle jerking at the time. Reddit has a lot to be ashamed of. Clown-ass behavior.
They were trying to assassinate his character off a rumor a day ago
I give it a week before ‘he was mean to Jeremy Lin once’ allegations drop.
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He is also like Shaq, but shorter, faster and with a high FT%. Are you okay, mate?
Are we just saying shit? Lin was dope and I love his run but my god
its like he died. lol
Dude was such an electric player and his passion was fucking infectious. He was such an easy player to root for despite his flaws
One of the loudest crowd pops ever
OKC crowd does go kinda crazy
It’s crazy cuz they never get taken over either. I don’t remember a single game where the entire crowd wasn’t blue/white
I never would’ve expected OKC of all places to have such a passionate fanbase in the NBA when they just barely got the team not long ago
to be fair that would mean going to Oklahoma 🥀
I heard it’s OK there
Oklahoma is ok
You heard wrong. My best friend is stationed there and it sucks.
Also, thats coming from someone that lives in Portland. Lmao
OK
We’re supposed to be the dumb ones here gang, stay in your lane
I’ve lived in both OKC and Portland, both cities are underrated as hell and don’t deserve their respective bad raps
Stationed where?
it’s also the only major sports team we have, if you’re an Oklahoma sports fan then that means you watch college football and the Thunder
It’s because folks don’t visit or move to OKC. It will always been dominated by the home crowd. Kind of food
of the 25 largest cities in america, okc is growing at the 6th fastest pace.
lots and lots of people move to okc.
Did not know that. Now I’m even more sad. Unless the folks moving fight for education.
When OKC initially hosted the then New Orleans Hornets, the crowds shocked everyone. That city earned it.
Nobody travelling out to Oklahoma lol
NYC to most East Coast teams is a cool train ride away
If Acela had cheaper tickets closer to departure and better headways the entire East Coast would just be NYC home games. I’m pretty sure the NYC metro area is bigger than DC, Boston, and Philly combined.
Only pro team in the state and miraculously brings OU and OK State fans together
Say what you want about the team but their fans always show up
To he fair to the OKC crowd the Thunder were on the come up and this was western semis and Russ was just making a name for himself as being an absolute dog. I think this was his sophomore year or something. He was an exciting player to root for back then.
I think this would’ve been year 4.
Drove down to this game from Kansas on a whim with a buddy after graduating high school and used my gift money to get tickets. I’ve been to several games at loud stadiums like Allen Fieldhouse and Arrowhead, but this was by far the loudest pop I’ve experienced during a game. Probably my favorite sporting event I attended, there were like 30k or so fans outside arena watching too so the energy was fucking nuts coming down the streets after the game
RIP Thunder Alley. Never forget
Also an all time Harlan call (imo)
OKC crowd plus angry Russ is basically a nuclear reactor. You could feel that through the TV.
Hard to judge given the variance in audio tuning between arenas/broadcasts
Nerd
My goodness, prime Russ was such a treat to watch.
Fuck Patrick Beverley
Always and forever.
Not only was he a dirty player but he also was just a douche
Camera thing was funny though ngl
Agreed! 😂
So was the celebration for winning the play in game
So was the curry quote
The play-in win will always be a top 5 moment for me
One of the dirtiest most pointless plays of all time
FUCK PAT BEV
All my homies say
It’s on sight
Legit one of the most electrifying players to ever play the game. In his prime, could take over and dominate like few others.
This whole team was something else
You can tell how much joy and whimsy someone has in their life by how they talk about Westbrook when he’s brought up
And whether they refer to him as triple double cocaine bear
That line is hilarious even if you love the guy you gotta admit that
What’s not to admit I would wear that as a badge of honour
If there’s a better sports nickname I haven’t heard it
It’s my flair in our team sub lmao we all love it
I’ve always loved this description and regardless of how it was intended I view it as a term of endearment.
This is the truest thing I’ve ever read in this place
Prime Russ was peak
Peak Russ was prime
So glad the league implemented the transition take foul rule.
This one was awesome, but so many potentially cool transition possessions ruined by the defender wrapping up the ballhandler.
Should’ve been a dynasty
Not to rain on the parade but it would have been an all time dynasty if they traded Russ instead of harden
No it wouldn’t have lol. They’d run into the Warriors and not have enough firepower. Harden probably never gets to be Harden without his own team. The path for the dynasty was opening the checkbook for all of them or not keeping Serge
That Lakers tenure he had really ruined his image. Westbrook was the sole reason why OKC had a 3-1 lead over the stacked Warriors team before KD choked it for them.
Tbf Russ choked that game 6 too, and they couldn’t get shit going in the paint with Bogut in there. I still remember the block he had on Curry at the basket close to the end of either game 1 or 2
One of my earlier basketball memories from when I started watching. Russ is the man
The Lakers were barely holding on in this game after being down 3-1. Kobe was the only Laker who showed up and was putting up hell of a game just to keep it close but as soon as Russ made this shot the momentum took over and they never looked back.
same. it’s between this play or this dunk as the first play I think of when Russ is brought up
I love you Russ
the cut to kobe said it all man, he was still a top 5 player and had another run in him but kd and russ were coming and he was gettin older. turns out this ends up his last playoff game
Honestly Kobe was still prime right here (he dropped 42) and next year. But he was too tough for his own good.
Jump scare from Lakers stint Ramon Sessions
He was the key to unlocking everything. Not just with the team but like time, world conflict, the ancient gods etc
As a kid who grew up in Reno, that man was my GOAT. I found myself cheering for the Lakers for a few months as a secondary team behind the Spurs because they were the first team to give him extended burn as a starter—weird time in my life as a fan lol.
I remember seeing him get absolutely dumpstered by Westbrook in this series which basically killed his case as a starter in the league for the rest of his career, which was a bit of a bummer because I always felt he had like low-end starter level talent (think Tyus Jones tier for a modern comp). Dude had better career higher in points and assists (44⁄24) than Chris Paul (43⁄21) and Steve Nash (42⁄22).
Really shitty the thunder wouldnt bring him back to retire the jersey.
But, maybe Russ didnt want that.
We will definitely retire his jersey and I wouldn’t be surprised if he still at least signs a one day to retire here. I’m not sure Presti was open to signing him for a season but he wouldn’t have played all that much so maybe he just decided to call it.
Say what? His jersey has basically already been retired, they haven’t let anyone wear 0 since Russ left. He’s 100% getting his jersey in the rafters and a statue outside the new arena after it’s built.
Hes absolutely getting a statue lol.
People outside of OKC, or those who dont follow the Thunder closely, dont realize the love this guy gets from the city and organization. He has gotten a standing ovation every single time hes come back as a player, even in a playoff series.
I will be shocked if Russ doesn’t get a statue. Doesn’t matter what other teams have done, the connection OKC and the Thunder have to Russ is not like other former players and their teams. He’s still active in the OKC community, still invests a ton of money to developing the city.
He’s beloved in OKC in a way very few players ever have been. This is a franchise that retired Nick Collison’s number because of how beloved he was. Russ is on another level, he’s getting a statue.
He deserves a statue regardless. You won’t find a single opposing voice in OKC on the issue of Russ icon status here.
Having said that these statue designs have been cursed recently so it’s fine if it doesn’t happen.
So you’re saying Utah Jazz legend Russell Westbrook may get a statue there? Let’s do it!
We definitely will retire the jersey. They should wait to do it in the last home game of the Paycom Arena or the first home game of the new arena, Continental Coliseum.
I saw someone on Twitter say the jersey needs to be in the rafters of the arena where he actually played, and I agree. I kinda feel like it should be retired ASAP, like this season (for maximum pettiness, when the Rockets come to OKC 😂).
Yeah I can see that, maybe the first home game of the last season of Paycom. There’s just that symbolic marketing crap about retiring the jersey as a new era of Thunder basketball begins that will absolutely fucking work on me lol.
I don’t give a fuck who you are, which team you support, what gets you up in the morning, how good your dad is at fighting, how big your cock is, how much you love going for long walks or any other bullshit. You’re on this subreddit because you love basketball. And if you love basketball then you owe it to yourself to give up every other thing you give a flying fuck about and watch the Oklahoma City Thunder. And you know why:
Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook is bringing it. He’s bringing it hard. I wish everyone could go back and watch that five minute spell in the fourth where he came back in and just ignited the afterburners, strapped falcon talons onto his hands and drove his will deep into the Lakers’ heart.
Russell Westbrook is box office shit. If you’re bored and you’ve got nothing to do and you don’t know which game to watch, just watch Russell fucking Westbrook deep dick stat lines with enough power to light up a major metropolis.
Seriously, why the fuck are you still reading this, go have a wank to some Wesbtrook highlight videos and pass out safe in the knowledge he plays, on average, three times a week.
Fuck your own team, Russell Westbrook is your team now.
I don’t give a fuck who you are, which team you support, what gets you up in the morning, how good your dad is at fighting, how big your cock is, how much you love going for long walks or any other bullshit. You’re on this subreddit because you love basketball. And if you love basketball then you owe it to yourself to give up every other thing you give a flying fuck about and watch the Boston Celtics. And you know why:
Brian Scalabrine.
Brian Scalabrine is bringing it. He’s bringing it hard. I wish everyone could go back and watch that five minute spell in the fourth where he came back in and just ignited the afterburners, strapped falcon talons onto his hands and drove his will deep into the Lakers’ heart.
Brian Scalabrine is box office shit. If you’re bored and you’ve got nothing to do and you don’t know which game to watch, just watch White fucking Mamba deep dick stat lines with enough power to light up a major metropolis.
Seriously, why the fuck are you still reading this, go have a wank to some White Mamba highlight videos and pass out safe in the knowledge he plays, on average, three times a week.
Fuck your own team, Brian Scalabrine is your team now.
This is his most iconic play to me, the crowd and Westbrook’s reaction is everything
This and his Denver buzzer beating game winner to break Oscar Robertson’s single-season triple-double record “What a perfect ending to a historic day!”
The Denver crowd cheering for him on his way to the record and hitting that shot is awesome.
I loved that Denver was comfortably ahead, so they had no problems with cheering for him….then he put the team on his back and came from behind to knock them out of the playoffs. The Denver fans were just standing in shocked disbelief.
Pretty sure that was the moment that won him the MVP.
Plus the exasperation and look of defeat on Kobe’s face makes even more special.
KD & Russ really put OKC on the map
No shit, there was no map of them prior
man please stfu u the only one dont understand
I’m getting upvoted by other people lol buddy lol
what does that mean? I have upvotes to. Your the only clown to respond some dumb shit
You said I’m the “only one don’t understand”
That’s not true. Other people are agreeing with me
Unintelligent comments get upvotes all the time lol that doesn’t make what you said cool or right Tom.
Well again, you & them are dumb AS FUCK because OAKLAHOMA is DEFINITELY on the MAP. KD & RUSS put OKC in playoff contention. So YES you don’t understand. I know you have the want to be right all the time Timmy but not this time. Please stop responding because again you sound dumb as fuck.
Crash out harder queen
Go back to posting conspiracy theories about Druski and organ harvesting lol
I like how you edited your comment after you look at a anonymous profile fucking clown
Well said.
Those OKC crowds during the russ/kd era were insane every playoffs
We still go nuts but they be fucking us over on the national TV audio mixing I swear 😭😭
As an audio engineer, it drives me crazy how broadcasts have minimized crowd noise the past few years. Fuck you espn
My second player ever
I wouldn’t be shocked if this is the play that gets immortalized by Russ’s statue when he gets one. This play is such a perfect encapsulation of him as a player. Chaotic, energetic, 110% effort at all times, and a loud celebration. Perfect Russ moment.
Never before had a 2 point lead with 4 minutes to go in the 3rd felt like a 28 point lead with 30 seconds to go in the 4th. Kobe’s last playoff game diminished by the absolute ball of energy that was the 22 year old (average) OKC big 3. Fucking insane
Think he yelled KOBE?
No player for a team a don’t cheer for ever got me more excited on a consistent basis than Russ. Unmatched energy.
This was the play (and series) that got me interested in the NBA again
Can we keep posting highlights and celebrating him now that he’s retiring? All the Westbrick stuff made people forget how good this dude was. I’ll always be a fan
Look at Kobe walking back on defense. Incredible Mamba mentality
Wait I thought only Bron did that
He’s the only reason the game was tied scored 18 pts in the 1st quarter and had 42 pts for the game casual
Context doesn’t matter. Bron gets this thrown at him all the time. No need for explaining
Exactly
Getting paid to cry and watch highlights at work today
This was sort of OKC’s we’ve arrived moment
Finally some good content about Russ, of course it happens to come on his retirement day, and it’s quite sad he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves but at least this is the start
I’m Sad
Last playoff game Kobe ever played… enjoy retirement Russ!! You were an absolute joy to watch
What a lazy pass from Sessions
Teams spent years designing entire schemes just to slow him down and he treated every one as a personal insult. Getting fouled on purpose and dropping it in anyway is the whole career in four seconds
That fucking team was so fun to watch. Probably the most fun I had watching basketball in the last 15 years. The crowd was always so crazy. And im a suns fan.
The little hop that the ref took was precious!🤣
Too many youngins in this sub dont know shit about prime Russ
Gah lee OKC gets loud. What an environment
Great highlight. The look in the Black Mambum’s face is priceless.
I remember this game vividly after watching this clip: tied game, 70 scores a piece, bottom of the third quarter, excited crowd erupting after a score in the pivotal playoff game.
Legendary moment, always come back to this clip😭
My favorite play of his. Determination and intensity
classic
I remember screaming so loud watching this live
Man ts taking me back when I was 10 where I had all the Thunder merch 🥲. I remember being devastated when Harden was traded. That era was the reason I’m still a KD fan, regardless of his antics lol, literally my childhood
This is the play I associate him with in my head
Dude was electric in his prime.
I go back and watch this when I’m feeling down
This was a great series to watch, the young Thunder were just way too fast and talented for the veteran Lakers.
One of the biggest “changing of the guard” moments in NBA history
Thunder legend❤️
He was a bad man
When we talk about sports hate, it was first this weird tall German guy and then Russ with this play. I remember I was 12 in my living room watching this live and I think I turned it off after this play.
Wonder if this was the Thunder radio play-by-play guy “cotton-pickin’ mind” comment?
Enjoy retirement you Utah Jazz legend!
The cut to Kobe’s reaction is great. As a Lakers fan, felt horrible watching this live but it’s a great play by Russ.
seeing this in person was fucking amazing. first playoff nba game
Russ was the man
This fucking sucks. Once KD, Curry and LeBron retire we’re going to be stuck with dudes like AJ Dybantsa who already have the head snap foul baiting bullshit prebuilt into their game the moment they’re drafted.
Hated this man at this moment so much. I ended up batting for him till his nba death.
Lakers were too old to keep up with them
Looks like the nba live 16 cover celebration
I want that Westbrook lunge pose to be his statue
Insane stuff
Damn, I just love the energy of the playoffs.
If KD never left they would’ve taken over
That ref had a little extra pep in his step calling that and-1 lmao
God I remember that series so vividly
I’m ready to have to defend Russ’s legacy for a long time
One of my favorite plays ever
Something about this OKC team over the current one… just love em
Pre Westbrick
Wizard legend
Most electric player I’ve ever watched
Daiki Aomine ass shot
Dude I fucking hated Russ this series. He was splashing pull ups all over our bigs…
is that the mamba thing? where you intentionally throw it straight to a defender on an easy pass, then get back slowly/lazily, make no effort to catch up and just intentionally foul from behind?
I think I was misunderstanding this whole mamba thing from the start.
i think that ref was feeling the positive energy lol
The discouraged look on Kobe’s face right after Russ made the shot.
Any sport where you can intentionally foul to get a chance to win is bullshit. I tried to get into basketball, but the first 3 games I watched the last few minutes were fouls, free throws, then clock wasting.
BORING!!! 😴
His post retirement nickname will be Russel Westbuckets.
Aha, the likeable OKC bunch
The beginning of Russ not knowing he should defer to KD down the stretch!
It’s the 3rd quarter and everyone going wild like it’s in the clutch of 4th quarter.. Welp I guess elimination game in Conference Semifinals do that
Back when OKC was fun to watch
The last time thunder fans were bearable
Kobe’s like “Damn, I’m usually the one doing the raping….”
Downvoted by Kobe fans lmao. Imagine cheering for a rapist
are you stupid
Huh?
He’s still a chucker no matter how you worship him.
Kobe was also a chucker