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Russell Westbrook may be changing teams and jersey numbers, but the new Washington Wizards point guard said he’s not going to change his on-court behavior, no matter what people think of him.
Westbrook joined the Wizards on Saturday but did not practice due to trade paperwork with Houston that had just been completed prior to practice. But he spoke to reporters for the first time since being traded for John Wall, insisting that he will remain himself on the court.
Westbrook was asked what is most misunderstood about him.
“Where do you want me to start?” Westbrook said with a smile. “Well listen, I think the underlying thing is 90 percent, 100 percent isn’t even true.
“Because a lot of times, the things that are made up, people don’t really know me to be able to say something about me or what I am or what I believe in … The most important thing for me is just kind of going and being me myself, which is easy because being myself, I can be genuine, loyal and understanding. Obviously, I’m not the easiest guy to understand, whatever it is, watch him play, what people might think. “
Westbrook is excited for a fresh start after his only season in Houston. He is eager to play alongside Bradley Beal and meet his former Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks.
When asked if he wanted to be traded from Houston after a season playing with James Harden, Westbrook replied, “I’m happy where I am” and that he wanted to keep the focus on the Wizards.
While he said he was allowed to wear his previous No. 0 jersey in Washington, where Gilbert Arenas once starred in that number, Westbrook said he wanted to wear No. 4 for a long time, which was his high school number.
Westbrook, however, does not plan to change anything about the ultra-competitive approach he is known for on the court, and he is unapologetic about it.
“The way I play the game misunderstands who I am as a person, who I am and what I believe in and what I stand for,” Westbrook said. “Obviously how I play and off the court are two different people. When I’m on the court, I don’t have friends, I’m not trying to be friendly, I’m trying to break someone’s ass. I have time to try to shake hands and do all that. I don’t have time for that, and I’ll never change that. “
Westbrook also said he comes to Washington seeking to help Beal. Beal said Friday that he won’t mind the negative narratives that Westbrook is hard to play with, or that he might try to get in “trying to run the show and just do everything himself.”
“I’m very excited,” Westbrook said. “Brad is a superstar talent … My job is to come in and continue to elevate him and push him to be better. That’s what I’m here for. I’m happy to be his counterpart and try to make it easier for him.” . “
Westbrook will join a team that has won just 32 and 27 games in the past two seasons. Brooks said Westbrook will have an immediate impact in showing his teammates how hard he plays and works.
Although he hopes to lead the Wizards back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, Westbrook said his legacy will not be defined by whether he wins a championship.
“For me, legacy is based on how many people I impact and inspire throughout my journey,” said Westbrook. “… I grew up in underserved communities, I understand what it’s like, I understand the struggle, I understand what it means and what it’s like to be a black African American in society.”
“It’s important that someone who has the power, the impact, the ability, the impact, the reach to be able to step foot and face it,” Westbrook added. “For me, that’s a legacy. That creates a long-term legacy.”
