Deonte Burton on ‘Westbrook the teammate’ genuine and insightful

Russell Westbrook bids OKC Thunder fans a heartfelt goodbye while Deonte Burton delivers my favorite (and astute) quote on his former teammate.

Just because you know something is coming and have time to prepare for it doesn’t mean it still won’t catch you off guard or more importantly hurt.  Like that dentist’s needle which will numb you in order for the cavity to be filled.

Everyone knew the announcement was coming and tried to prepare themselves for the inevitable moment the Woj bomb would confirm Russell Westbrook was leaving the OKC Thunder. But when the post came it still felt like a blindside. Particularly learning for the second time in this decade Daryl Morey was the man who would reap the benefits of adding our gold to his squad. Worse the Rockets now boast two of the last three winners of the Most Valuable Player Award.

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Perhaps the only reason I didn’t self combust over Westbrook joining the Rockets is that backcourt will cause havoc and the newest Clipper, Paul George will no doubt be tasked with having to stop one of Russ or Harden. Not that I’m trying to shade PG13, but come on, after all, he’s the reason this entire rebuild got kick-started and why Houston’s chances exponentially improved overnight.

Still, for as much as I’ve cheered for the OKC Thunder success and equally wished the Houston Rockets would fail this season I’ll have a hard time continuing that trend. I simply can’t bring myself to wish ill will upon Russell Westbrook. The minute he entered the league he became my favorite player to watch and witnessing his successes and failures has offered far too many memories to recount.

Similarly, the feelings of protectiveness toward him stemmed from what I’ve deemed as unfair (for the most part) criticisms or a simple lack of understanding. Russell Westbrook is an enigma of sorts.

There are distinctly different sides to him which cover both sides of the spectrum and by that, I don’t mean bad versus good. Rather, it’s his unbridled passion and 100 percent effort on court along with the in your face competitiveness. As opposed to the softer man whose philanthropic efforts off the court speak more to who he is. How fitting that he was at such an event when his trade was announced just as a reminder of who he is at his core.

Russell and Nina Westbrook issue heartfelt goodbyes:

And, while so many superstars in this generation gauge every word and action they make publicly how refreshing to read his (and his wife Nina’s) completely genuine farewell messages to the only team and city he’s known in his professional career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz04NbvHXmr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Deonte Burton delivers a quote about Russ which resonates:

Players, analysts, and fans have taken to social media and on air to discuss the trade or remark on Westbrook the person and how the move will pan out. Some are already declaring the success or failure of him reuniting with James Harden.

Others are speaking to who the Brodie is as a person. One of the best takes was delivered by Deonte Burton following the Thunder victory over the Blazers in Summer League. For those outside the fanbase, Deonte Burton is known to delight us with jaw dropping dunks on the court. But in person, he exudes humility and genuineness which is refreshing.

Just him as a person, he’s a really good person. He would give you the shirt off his back and that’s something you can’t recreate, that’s like a genuine thing, so I’m going to miss him being genuine. -Burton re: what he’ll miss most about Westbrook

For example, when he was asked by sideline reporter Allie LaForce about a particular amazing (and important) offensive play he made which sealed the Thunder victory he said: “I don’t think it was a big shot” (man I love this kid).

LaForce: also made him aware at that moment Westbrook had been traded and asked for his reaction about the trade and losing the leader of the team.

Burton: “I don’t know how to feel, this is like this is my first time ever being on a team with people being traded, so I don’t know how to feel.”

She then probed deeper and Burton responded with his typical honesty and it resonated (at least for me) because of how often the point guard is painted as a difficult player to be teammates with.

LaForce: “When you look back at your time with Russ, some of the things he said to you maybe even some mentorship what are some of the things you’ll miss about what he contributed to the team and your relationship?” 

Burton: “Just him as a person, he’s a really good person. He would give you the shirt off his back and that’s something you can’t recreate. that’s like a genuine thing, so I’m going to miss him being genuine.”

Love the salt of the earth analogy by Burton.

Moving ahead, as the brain trust, players, coaches, and fanbase shift focus to life without Russell Westbrook remember –like the freezing from that dentist’s needle eventually wears off so too will our state of shock and numbness.

In the interim, I’ll keep that quote by Burton handy as a reminder for anyone who deigns to call Russell Westbrook selfish or a bad teammate.