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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Donovan Mitchell Was Star Struck The First Time He Met Russell Westbrook

Donovan Mitchell Was Star Struck The First Time He Met Russell Westbrook

Cavaliers star remembers his first time meeting Russell Westbrook.

Nico Martinez
Aug 18, 2024
4 Min Read
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Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

During a recent episode of the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell detailed his experience meeting Russell Westbrook for the first time. According to Mitchell, it wasn’t exactly a warm welcome from Russell, who was getting ready for a game at the time.

“I was a big Russell Westbrook fan, when he was dunking on people and he just be walking around screaming. I got to see him when he was on the bench and he’s doing his dances and shit and I’m over here in warmups like ‘bet where he at?’ So I see him and then just he stops and stares at me and I’m like “Oh shit”. We get into the game and I foul him on a shot fake and I tell him ‘good move’ and he’s like ‘who the f*ck are you.’ After that it was all love.”

Russell Westbrook isn’t known for being a particularly friendly character and it seems that stigma held true for his meeting with Donovan Mitchell. He was reserved and almost standoffish, but nothing unexpected for the veteran point guard.

Donovan Mitchell was drafted 13th overall in 2017, which is presumably when he first met Westbrook. Back then, Mitchell was still just an unproven rookie on the Jazz and he was trying to speak to his childhood idol, who was already an MVP and multiple-time All-Star with the Thunder.

At his peak, Westbrook was among the best players in the game and the face of Thunder basketball. During his MVP campaign in 2016-17, he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game on 42% shooting.

Along with his natural talent and relentless playstyle, Westbrook’s extremely competitive spirit made him a favorite among the fans. Unfortunately, it also rubbed some people the wrong way.

For years now, Westbrook has been criticized for his flaws and his unapologetic approach to the game. During his stint with the Lakers years ago, Russ was the center of blame among fans. And when the situation turned toxic, Russell’s legacy was the one that suffered.

Today, over five years later, it’s clear that Westbrook is not the same player he used to be. And while that fiery spirit remains unchanged, his role as a backup guard is still unfamiliar territory for the 9x All-Star. Meanwhile, Mitchell is entering his prime after one of the best seasons of his career.

As it stands now, the roles of Mitchell and Westbrook have reversed from what they were 5+ years ago. At 27 years old, Mitchell is the star and he’s currently one of the best guards in the league in his prime. As he leads the Cavaliers on a max contract and proves that he’s capable of being the top option, the pressure will be on him to meet expectations and take the Cavaliers to new heights in the East.

No doubt, he’ll be looking to take a page from Westbrook’s book. He sought to lead his own team years ago and while he failed in bringing them a championship, he left nothing on the table in the pursuit of success. Donovan Mitchell will need to bring a similar passion in order to find success with the Cavaliers.

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Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Cleveland Cavaliers ArchiveDonovan MitchellOklahoma City Thunder ArchiveRussell Westbrook
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ByNico Martinez
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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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