Draymond Green took aim at NBA fans following Russell Westbrook's retirement, accusing them of suddenly celebrating the former MVP after spending years criticizing him.
Westbrook announced his retirement on Wednesday after 18 NBA seasons, ending a career that included an MVP award, nine All-Star selections and an NBA-record 209 triple-doubles.
Green, however, was frustrated by the reaction that followed the announcement.
"Basketball fans suck," Green said on The Draymond Green Show. "And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category, too. But basketball fans suck."
Draymond calls out change in Westbrook narrative
Green pointed specifically to the criticism Westbrook received throughout the latter stages of his career, including questions over his shooting, playing style and impact on winning.
"Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don't shoot it well, how he stat pad, and how he mess up teams," Green continued.
"And when you're in this game and that's all you see, that's all you hear, you power through it. You fight through it because that's who we are. That's what we do. But man, that sh*t is irritating and it bothers you. Make no mistake about it."
Green also referenced the "Westbrick" nickname that followed Westbrook during some of the most heavily criticized stretches of his career.
His issue was not simply with the criticism itself, but how quickly the conversation changed once Westbrook announced he was walking away.
"'Westbrick' and all the things y'all said about him," Green said. "And the moment he step aside, 'Oh man, y'all did Russ wrong. Can't tell me he couldn't be on a team. What? How? Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him and not in the NBA.' All these great beautiful things."
Green then questioned why Westbrook did not receive the same appreciation while he was still playing.
"Why can't we feel that when you going?" he asked.
Westbrook ends his Hall of Fame NBA career
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from basketball on social media on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most distinctive careers in NBA history after 18 seasons.
The 37-year-old played his final season with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds across 64 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.
Selected with the fourth pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, Westbrook spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and became the face of the franchise following Kevin Durant's departure.
His greatest individual season came in 2016-17. Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, recorded a then-record 42 triple-doubles, and was named NBA MVP.
Westbrook leaves historic triple-double legacy
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook went on to average a triple-double in four different seasons, something no other player had accomplished, and ultimately became the NBA's all-time triple-double leader. He finishes with 209 regular-season triple-doubles.
The explosive guard was selected to nine All-Star Games and nine All-NBA teams during his career. He also climbed to fifth on the NBA's all-time assists list during his final season and became the first guard in league history to surpass 9,000 career rebounds.
After Oklahoma City, Westbrook represented the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and finally Sacramento.
Although an NBA championship ultimately escaped him, Westbrook reached the 2012 NBA Finals with the Thunder and won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
His career will be remembered most for his relentless playing style and unprecedented statistical production, particularly the triple-double numbers that once appeared almost impossible to reach.