[Spencer Jones] Russ taught me the ins and outs of the game: the politics from the front office down, how to carry yourself, and not only how to handle pressure, but embrace it.
Spencer Jones (Denver Nuggets):
“Don’t miss, rook.”
That was my introduction to Russell Westbrook.
Summer before my first year in the league. All the guys in town are playing pickup. I hit the game-winning shot, but we have a rule that you have to validate a game winner by making a free throw to officially end the game.
After I made that shot, Russ chest-checked me with the ball at the free throw line. Got right in my ear, said it softly. “Don’t miss, rook.” Then he stood right next to me. Not moving. Just standing there.
That was the intensity. It wasn’t mean or personal. That’s just how he was. He did not want to lose. And if I missed that free throw, the game keeps going.
I hit it. And he shook his head in light approval, like OK, maybe he can handle the moment.
That intensity never turned off. Not in pickup, not in practice, not in film, not even in some simple arguments. The energy, the joy, the competitiveness was on every single day.
And I tried to emulate that on the court because it was impossible to be around it and not raise your own standard.
Russ taught me the ins and outs of the game: the politics from the front office down, how to carry yourself, and not only how to handle pressure, but embrace it.
And there were the rookie duties too. Getting him meals, handling what needed to be handled on the road. But that was well worth the price of admission to learn next to one of the all-time greats.
A lot of what I’ve accomplished and my longevity in this league traces back to that first year learning from him.
Congrats on a legendary career, Russ!