Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball past Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball past Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA world received big news on Wednesday when Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons. He posted a video on Instagram entitled “The Museum of Unspoken Answers,” narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan, to make it official and celebrate his career.
Immediately after, a who's-who of NBA royalty offered their praise. LeBron James said that Westbrook deserves a place in the Hall of Fame. Also, Kendrick Perkins placed Westbrook on the OKC Thunder Mt. Rushmore.
Additionally, Derrick Rose gave props to Westbrook and his family on Instagram.
“Congrats on the career gang…. Tell the family I said what's up!!!” Rose posted.
(Instagram)
Rose and Westbrook came up together in the NBA. In 2008, Rose was selected as the No.1 pick by the Chicago Bulls out of Memphis University. Then, Westbrook was the No.4 pick by the Seattle SuperSonics out of UCLA.
From there, both men forged a tight friendship.
They also shared the same agent in Arn Tellem. Plus, they were under the tutelage of trainer Rob McClanaghan during the offseason.
In 2011, Rose won the NBA MVP, and Westbrook followed suit in 2017. Rose and Westbrook were two explosive point guards that defined their era. However, neither Rose nor Westbrook won an NBA championship despite making the playoffs at various points.
At the same time, Rose and Westbrook had to persevere through injuries. Westbrook played for seven different teams, including the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers/Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings.
Rose played for the Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.