Despite nine All-Star teams, a 2017 MVP award, and an All-NBA appearance as recently as last season, Russell Westbrook of the Wizards receives an outsized amount of criticism.

But, for all the legitimate gripes about his game, there is one quality his haters can never accuse him of lacking: inauthenticity.

Russell Westbrook spoke to the media on Saturday for the first time since being traded from the Houston Rockets to the Washington Wizards earlier this week — marking his third team in three seasons.

When asked about his basketball legacy, Russell Westbrook kept it characteristically real — and bigger than basketball.

“Legacy for me is based on how many people I impact and inspire along my journey,” Russell Westbrook said, via ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. “… I grew up in underserved communities, I understand what it's like, I understand the struggle, I understand what it means and what it's like to be a Black African American in society.”

Because of his generally poor efficiency stats, shaky playoff performances, and diminishing athleticism and shooting percentages, Russell Westbrook's detractors are still waiting for the 12-year veteran to adapt his game as he moves through the back-half of his NBA career.

They shouldn't hold their breath. In the same media session, Russell Westbrook was asked about what the critics misunderstand about his game.

“People don't actually know me to be able to say anything about me or what I am about or what I believe in. … The biggest thing for me is just kind of going and being myself, which is easy because being myself, I can be genuine and loyal and understanding. Obviously, I am not the easiest guy to understand, whatever, watch play, whatever people may think.”

The way I play the game kind of misconstrues people of who I am as a person, who I am and what I believe in and what I stand for. Obviously, how I play and off the floor are two different people. When I am on the floor, I don't have any friends, I am not trying to be friendly, I'm trying to bust somebody's ass. I ain't got time to try to shake hands and do all that. I don't have time for it, and I am never changing that.”

Russell Westbrook added that he's excited to be in his new situation in D.C. and to be re-united with his long-time Oklahoma City Thunder head coach, Scott Brooks.

Russell Westbrook will make his Wizards debut — wearing No. 4 — on Dec. 23 against the Philadelphia 76ers.