Not long before Russell Westbrook established himself as the unquestionable centerpiece of the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise, he was seen by most as an untamed force that was too rough around the edges. What not a lot of people know is that Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks actually played a pivotal part in the development of Westbrook into the cornerstone of OKC.
After stints as the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers and the Philadelphia 76ers, Cheeks was brought on board by the Thunder organization for one specific purpose. He was tasked to work with and to try to refine a 20-year-old rookie from UCLA.
Back then, Westbrook needed help to transition his very promising game to the NBA level. Now entering his 11th season in the league, the 2017 MVP is able to look back at the key role Cheeks has played in his career. Westbrook is enormously appreciative of everything Cheeks has done for him, and is delighted by the latter's induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Just extremely, extremely happy for him,” Westbrook said, via Royce Young of ESPN. “He's somebody I look up to as a mentor, somebody that's guided me since I've been in the league. He was with me since Day 1 and left and came back [to Oklahoma City].”
Westrbook went to on to praise his adviser, and shared how privileged he feels to have such a brilliant coach.
“Just the unbelievable knowledge he has for the game and the things he did for the game of basketball, playing and coaching, I'm just extremely blessed and honored to be coached by him, and obviously it's a great honor to be in the Hall of Fame. He's so deserving of it because he's done so much for the game.”
Now at 61 years of age, Cheeks is set to be officially inducted into the James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2018 class.
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