An open letter to Russell Westbrook, Thank You
By Sean Reece
When all hope was lost, a little, fiery guy from Lawndale, California saved the Oklahoma City Thunder. His name was Russell Westbrook.
That’s what I imagine Russell Westbrook’s plaque will read one day in the NBA Hall of Fame. Sitting in all its glory with the first Oklahoma City Thunder jersey retired up in the rafters at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The early years
But, lets rewind way back to 2006. A point guard at Leuzinger High School. A point guard named Russell Westbrook. Someone who did not get his first offer from a college until his Senior year of high school. That school was UCLA.
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Russell Westbrook would eventually go on to play with the Bruins for two years, playing in two final fours, before leaving for the NBA Draft. A guy that played two years at UCLA but only started one year and was seen as a high risk, high reward player.
Enter Sam Presti. A man who had the courage to take Westbrook at number four overall. When Westbrook was drafted in 2008, the Thunder were still officially the Seattle SuperSonics, but they would later become the Oklahoma City Thunder just six days later.
A lot for a rookie to take in. Being drafted by a team but moving to a new city just six days later. We all know that would not stop Westbrook.
Westbrook got to work right away. During his first season with the Thunder, Westbrook finished fourth in rookie of the year voting and was selected to the All-NBA Rookie First Team.