Russell Westbrook Articles - Page 67

Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder is over. The eight-time All-Star and 2017 NBA MVP was traded earlier this month to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal that sent Chris Paul, two protected first-round selections and future pick swaps to the Thunder. Sources: Pick protections in Thunder/Rockets, Russell Westbrook/Chris Paul trade: 2024 […]

Like most NBA fans, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo was shocked when Russell Westbrook and Paul George were traded in the offseason. Diallo spoke on how the trades came out of nowhere for him, blindsiding him both times: “No. No idea at all. That really hit home base. I didn’t know anything. And, I […]

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti had kind words for former stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook at a press conference on Thursday, but he also seemed surprised when questioned about the reported discontent of the duo. Presti claimed that most NBA players are unhappy when the season ends without a championship, and insisted […]

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was effusive in thanking Russell Westbrook and Paul George for their contributions shortly after taking out an op-ed on The Oklahoman to explain the team’s decision to undergo a rebuild. Presti thanked Westbrook “for the tremendous contributions he’s made to our organization and community, the time he put […]

The Houston Rockets are set to introduce the latest addition to their roster, former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook, on Friday. Per Mark Berman of Fox 26, the event will take place at the Toyota Center and will be closed to the public. #Rockets announced they'll have their first news conference with Russell Westbrook […]

At the moment, the Los Angeles Clippers — led by the newly-formed dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard — appear to be the favorites to win the title in the upcoming season. However, in the mind of at least one unnamed Eastern Conference team executive, the Houston Rockets might have a thing or […]

Houston Rockets general manger Daryl Morey has long believed that the collection of elite talent is a better predictor of championship contention than stylistic fit, an assumption many decision-makers hold throughout the league. But pairing James Harden with Russell Westbrook puts that assumption to arguably its biggest test yet, and given the former’s unprecedented blend […]

The duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George were equally worried that their new-forged partnership would not work after two first-round exits in the postseason. Most recently, the sixth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder saw a swift 4-1 exit at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers. According to The Athletic, it didn’t take long for both […]

Despite the Russell Westbrook trade coming as a likely domino effect of the Paul George trade that sent him to the LA Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder were reportedly willing to move their franchise star even before Lawrence Frank came calling. According to The Athletic, a rival team said the Thunder “were willing to discuss […]

Jalen Rose says for the James Harden-Russell Westbrook pairing to work on the Houston Rockets, Harden will have to do things on the floor with Westbrook which he didn’t do with Chris Paul. The ESPN analyst and former NBA guard thinks Harden has to have a level of interest when Westbrook is initiating the offense. […]

NBA icon Isiah Thomas joined the set of First Things First on Monday morning. Amid the wide-ranging discussion, the former Pistons point guard was asked to comment on the Rockets’ pairing of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Some experts feel that Harden and Westbrook will struggle to find a rhythm on the court. Naysayers claim […]

Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas appears to have some extremely high hopes on the new pairing of James Harden and Russell Westbrook with the Houston Rockets. So much so, that the former 12-time All-Star has already declared the Rockets to be his favorite to come out on top of the Western Conference in the […]

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson believes that the questionable moves by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the past is starting to haunt them big time. The Thunder suddenly found themselves in rebuilding mode after they were somehow forced to trade Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Jackson told Erik Horne of The Oklahoman that what happened […]

Former NBA star Kenyon Martin has remained one of the more outspoken personalities in the basketball community since his retirement in 2015, and he has an interesting take on the Oklahoma City Thunder electing to trade Paul George and Russell Westbrook After the BIG3 held a showcase in Oklahoma City on Sunday, Martin told Erik […]

Houston Rockets star guard James Harden says he and new teammate Russell Westbrook are always trying to get better so they can capture that elusive first championship. Harden and Westbrook are two of the hardest working players in the league. The two MVPs are constantly in the gym working on their craft so they can […]

By winning the Russell Westbrook lottery, the Houston Rockets have successfully propelled themselves into the conversation of title contenders for the upcoming season. By pairing two of the league’s Most Valuable Player winners in the past three years, Houston have formed one of the most dynamic, exciting, and at the same time mind-boggling backcourt duos […]

LAS VEGAS – Hamidou Diallo was informed of the news immediately after wrapping up a 14 point, seven rebound performance for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His team just grabbed a big Summer League victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the focus of Diallo’s postgame interview was the trade of Russell Westbrook to the Houston […]

When the Houston Rockets acquired former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Chris Paul and picks, it could only mean one thing: time to put up or shut up. Via Evan McIntyre of The Athletic, a source close to the Rockets organization echoes that sentiment. “We’re trying to win […]

Speaking at an Adidas event, Houston Rockets star James Harden commented on his highly anticipated partnership with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. Harden shared his excitement to play alongside Westbrook once again. And despite questions about their fit, the 2018 NBA MVP said that their partnership is “going to […]

Head coach Mike D’Antoni says the Houston Rockets need Russell Westbrook’s rebounding skills and athleticism. Westbrook is one of the most explosive point guards in NBA history, and he has averaged a triple-double three seasons in a row now. Mike D’Antoni is looking forward to the former MVP helping out the Rockets on the glass. […]

Houston Rockets superstar guard James Harden admits he watched Russell Westbrook from afar even after he left the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder traded Harden to the Rockets in 2012. Harden and Westbrook are very close friends, and The Beard enjoys watching Russ play: James Harden on Russell Westbrook: "Even after I left Oklahoma City, […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni believes Rockets fans “will appreciate the intensity” Russell Westbrook plays with on a nightly basis. Westbrook is arguably the most passionate player in the NBA. He leaves it all on the floor every night. Mike D'Antoni on Russell Westbrook: "What you see is what you get. You get a […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni admits he would be “disappointed” if Russell Westbrook’s 3-point shooting didn’t improve in Houston next season. Westbrook shot a putrid 29.0 percent from beyond the arc in 2018-19 with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is a career 30.8 percent shooter from deep. D’Antoni thinks the former MVP can get […]

James Harden believes it should be “an easy transition” for the Houston Rockets to incorporate Russell Westbrook into the team’s offense. Harden says because he and Westbrook both trust each other, the duo will be able to play together on the court despite critics saying the two MVPs won’t be able to co-exist: . @JHarden13 […]

The Kawhi Leonard summer of mystery still is the gift that keeps on giving, even two weeks after he announced his commitment to the LA Clippers. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Clippers also eyed Russell Westbrook as a potential partner for Leonard, but Kawhi preferred Paul George: “Sam, I began to hear […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder engaged in trade conversations with the Miami Heat during a stretch, as they tried to deal franchise point guard Russell Westbrook. While there had been reported interest in rookie Tyler Herro, center Bam Adebayo and swingman Justise Winslow, the Thunder were willing to give the Heat their 2021 and 2023 picks […]

Los Angeles Clippers guard and former Houston Rocket Patrick Beverley thinks the Russell Westbrook-James Harden pairing in Houston is going to work. The Rockets acquired Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster trade. Houston sent Chris Paul and draft picks to OKC. Beverley, who doesn’t have the best relationship with Westbrook, is happy […]

The Miami Heat were actively trying to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder before the former MVP was shipped to the Houston Rockets. The same can’t be said about the Heat’s interest in Chris Paul. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the level of enthusiasm for Paul inside the Heat organization […]

The New York Knicks were never truly interested in trading for Russell Westbrook, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports. Despite having struck out in free agency after whiffing on the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, the Knicks remained committed to their rebuild by keeping their young assets and sustaining […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni doubles down on his belief that they are the favorites to win the Western Conference after acquiring Russell Westbrook this summer. D’Antoni believes the Rockets have earned the rights to be considered as favorites. Despite the setbacks in the past two seasons, the veteran head coach sounded more confident […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is thrilled that he will have one-less headache starting next season. D’Antoni is glad that the Rockets now have Russell Westbrook, saying that the explosive point guard gave him a lot to think of in the past several seasons. The veteran coach admitted that he hated going to Oklahoma […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets pulled off what initially seemed like an impossible trade to once again jumpstart what has been an incredibly action-packed offseason. With All-NBA point guard Russell Westbrook heading from Oklahoma City to Houston, the Thunder most notably received fellow All-Star point guard Chris Paul in return. However, the plot […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the Russell Westbrook trade official on Tuesday, with fans saying goodbye to the 30-year-old who spent his entire 11-year NBA career thus far with the Thunder. OKC general manager Sam Presti had some words of praise for the departing Westbrook too. Presti has been with the organization since its relocation […]

The Houston Rockets have officially acquired superstar point guard Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Chris Paul and two protected first round picks. Westbrook is reuniting with James Harden on the Rockets. The two were teammates on the Thunder and are very close friends off the court. https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1151284269895028739 Russell Westbrook and […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder were reportedly preparing to trade superstar point guard Russell Westbrook in the summer of 2020 prior to the Paul George trade to the Los Angeles Clippers this summer, according to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. Once George demanded a trade from the Thunder to the Clippers, OKC’s front office knew it […]

When the Oklahoma City Thunder sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets, Houston immediately became home to two of the most ball-dominant players in the league. Fans immediately questioned whether Westbrook could fit in with fellow former MVP James Harden with only one basketball on the court. Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni attempted to assuage […]

Even after a major roster change, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni claims that he will not be changing the team’s strategy much this offseason. In fact, he claims critics of the team’s system are full of it: “We’re not changing much,” D’Antoni said on the “The Woj Pod” while discussing the addition of Westbrook. […]

The Houston Rockets were having an uncharacteristically quiet offseason until late last week, when they swung a blockbuster trade that sent Chris Paul and draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook. It was an odd trade, to say the least, but you just knew the Rockets couldn’t detached from the offseason festivities. […]

There’s a fair amount of skepticism to be gleaned from the pairing of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Jalen Rose, though, clearly believes the NBA’s latest superstar tandem has the potential to help the Houston Rockets reach new heights. On Monday’s edition of Get Up, the ESPN analyst dismissed questions about the fit of Harden […]