Tyrese Haliburton believes Russell Westbrook belongs near the very top of the list of NBA greats who finished their careers without winning a championship.
Reacting to Westbrook's retirement on the Numbers On The Board podcast, the Indiana Pacers star praised the former MVP's legacy and argued that only a handful of ringless players can be placed alongside him.
"If he did retire, then salute to a legend," Haliburton said. "I think he's personally up there first, second, or third, if you're picking players who have never won a championship."
Westbrook retired after an 18-season NBA career highlighted by the 2017 MVP award, nine All-Star selections and nine All-NBA honors. He also became the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles and averaged a triple-double in four different seasons.
The one major accomplishment missing from his resume was an NBA championship. Westbrook came closest in 2012, when he reached the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder before losing to the Miami Heat.
Russell Westbrook
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Haliburton recalls facing Westbrook's physicality
Haliburton also reflected on what it was like to face Westbrook, emphasizing that his trademark intensity and physicality were even more impressive in person.
"What an unbelievable career. I feel like I have so many memories of playing against him," Haliburton said. "Whatever you guys see on TV and whatever you think it is, it's that. But just imagine that [level of] physicality is actually hitting you. He's unbelievable."
Haliburton also praised Westbrook away from the court.
"[He's] such a good dude," he added. "All of the conversations we've ever had have been awesome. So, salute to him."
For Haliburton, Westbrook's lack of a championship does little to diminish a career he considers among the greatest ever for a player who never won a ring.