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Scott Brooks was in his fourth game as the interim coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which got off to a disastrous 1-16 start. On the night of November 29, 2008, he gave Russell Westbrook the first start of his career, putting him at point guard even though there were questions about whether the talented rookie could play at that position.
The Thunder won.
Brooks and Westbrook were ready, joined at the hip, winning 62% of their games together over the next six years and reaching the NBA Finals in 2012. Now they have reunited in Washington, with Westbrook going to the Wizards early. of this year. week in an exchange that sent John Wall to Houston.
“Russell never gave me any reason to have any doubts about his ability,” Brooks said Friday, shortly before the Wizards had their first practice in training camp. “There were many times, early in his career, they asked me, ‘Why are you doing this? Why are you doing that? He’s not a point guard, he’s not this, he’s not that. ‘ And all of that was fine.
“I didn’t care what people said to me and what he didn’t. I saw and train what the players do. And he was my base. “
And now it is again.
Westbrook has reached the NBA Finals for the only time in 2012, when the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat. Even at 32 years old now, Westbrook remains dynamic, averaging 27.2 points last season playing alongside NBA scoring champion James Harden in Houston. He shot 47%, the best of his career, and added eight triple-doubles, putting him within 35 of Oscar Robertson’s record of 181.
But something he did off the court, and which he intended to do quietly, ended up really sparking the interest of the Wizards. Westbrook left an $ 8,000 tip for Walt Disney World housekeepers when Houston was in the NBA reset bubble. Washington general manager Tommy Sheppard had clamored for the opportunity to land Westbrook for years, and hearing that gesture made him want to take him to the Wizards even more.
That advice is a pocket change for Westbrook; is slated to make about $ 41 million this season. But for Sheppard, it still spoke of his character.
“When I look at what a player is about, some things really speak up to me,” Sheppard said. “And he had no reservations about the player we were acquiring. Russell behaves in a way that, if you’re not on his team, he doesn’t let a lot of people in. … But hearing a story like that, that’s a magician, that’s something we really want here. “
It came at a great cost. Wall was loved by the Wizards and their fans. But he missed nearly two full years through injuries, Westbrook wanted a change of scenery and the gamble, if they consider it one, was obviously something the Wizards considered worth taking.
And in the end, Washington still has a super talented backcourt as it looks to rejoin the Eastern Conference playoff mix. Instead of Wall coming back and playing alongside Bradley Beal, who averaged 30.5 points last season, it will be Westbrook.
“It was a tough pill for me to swallow,” Beal said of the trade and Wall’s exit. “But on the other hand, you look at him and you see who we’re bringing in and you see the caliber of Russ’s player, and what he’s capable of, a former MVP, a walking triple-double. He’s going to bring a spark to our team and an energy to our city. “
Brooks said it will be an adjustment that brings Westbrook into the mix. But you also see the obvious similarities between a healthy Wall and Westbrook, so you can imagine what it will be like when Westbrook and Beal start clicking.
“I think there will be a pretty good and smooth transition to bring Russell into the group,” Brooks said. “Knowing Brad for four years, there are many similarities. These guys are tough, they’re team guys, they’re determined guys, they have great drive, their work ethic, their professionalism, what they’re doing off the pitch. They remind me of each other. … Those two guys have the great ability to make the other three players on the court with them much better. “
