Westbrook reflects on legacy: 'I was a champion once I made it to the NBA'
Whether or not Russell Westbrook ever hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the 32-year-old Washington Wizards guard already feels like a winner for how his NBA success has enabled him to improve the lives of those in his community.
"I'm happy. I was a champion once I made it to the NBA," he told reporters following Tuesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, according to The Athletic's Fed Katz. "I grew up in the streets. I'm a champion. I don't have to be an NBA champion.
"I know many people that got NBA championships that's miserable, haven't done nothing for their community, haven't done nothing for the people in our world. And for me, man, my legacy ... is not based on what I do on this court."
Westbrook's comments were prompted by a reporter's question regarding commentary from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
Earlier in the day, the bombastic TV panelist criticized Westbrook's on-court approach - which even in Year 13 has yielded him 21.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 10.1 rebounds per game - relative to his teams' lack of playoff success throughout his career.
Utmost respect to Russell Westbrook, but last night’s numbers mean absolutely nothing to me. pic.twitter.com/FRaanNyHpn
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 30, 2021
The often publicly reticent Westbrook continued to assert that his legacy wouldn't be defined by his time in the NBA.
"I'm not going to play basketball my whole life," he said. "My legacy is what I do off the floor, how many people I'm able to impact and inspire along my journey, man. That's how I keep my head down and keep pushing ...
"There's no other player that kind of takes the heat that I take constantly. But I take it as a positive because obviously, I'm doing something right if people are talking about me."