Perhaps no player in the NBA has more critics than Russell Westbrook. Despite playing with an unbridled heart and passion every time he steps foot on the floor, the fans and media lay into Russ for his sometimes unhinged playstyle and poor decision making.
Of course, his failure to win a title is also a point of criticism.
But, in a chat with The New York Times, NBA legend Oscar Roberston offered a different take on the Wizards guard, saying that his lack of a Championship isn’t entirely his fault.
“There’s no doubt about it. I hope he gets it. I think he’s one of the elite guards in basketball, and I think it’s ridiculous that some sportswriters criticize him because he has not won a championship. Players don’t win championships by themselves. You’ve got to have good management. You need to get with the right group of players.
Look at Brooklyn: Who could have done this years ago? How things have changed. It seems now that what’s happening in basketball, and I haven’t seen it happen in football yet, is players will get together and say, “Let’s go and play for this team so we can win.” Years ago, you wouldn’t have thought of doing that.”
True, Westbrook doesn’t have a lot of success in the playoffs. But nobody can accuse him of not giving his all each and every game.
And if the Big O can appreciate what he brings to the table, we certainly can too.
