An open letter to Russell Westbrook, Thank You

Apr 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) yells as he takes the floor prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) yells as he takes the floor prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Russell Westbrook
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Panic

Westbrook and Durant were locked up before Presti came around to Harden and Ibaka. Presti had a decision to make. Does he keep one or does he try to keep both. Presti tried to keep both by offering Harden a little bit less money to get him to stay with their core.

Unfortunately, Harden decided that he was being held back in OKC and ultimately was traded to the Houston Rockets.

After losing the sixth man of the year, the Thunder had a gaping hole to fill.  A hole that has never been filled. .

During the 2012-2013 season, panic began rising. This due to the tragedy occurring in  the first round of the 2013 playoffs. Westbrook tore his meniscus in his right knee. Westbrook required surgery on his right knee, knockng him out for the rest of the playoffs.

The Thunder had a short playoff run, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round. After Westbrook’s first initial knee surgery, he required another one before the 2013-2014 season even started.

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Predicted to miss several weeks to start the season, Westbrook shocked all by missing just the first two games. He appeared to be back to his old self, or so it seemed. Westbrook would have yet another knee surgery, this time a smaller procedure, but a procedure that would knock him out for a few months.

Westbrook was back before the playoffs and had a stellar run before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.

The start of the 2014-2015 season was another scary moment. Westbrook would break a bone in his hand and have to miss 14 games. Inevitably with all the missed games over a 3-year span questions arose over Westbrook’s durability given his style of play.