Russell Westbrook has always been one of the most ferocious competitors in basketball.

The former NBA MVP is prone to letting out primal screams after big dunks and mixing it up with opponents from time to time. He plays with a certain rage, which one might except given his incredibly explosive athleticism and drive.

But Russ also has a somewhat straightforward reason for playing angry.

Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks—who also coached Westbrook in Oklahoma City—explained Friday he once asked Westbrook about his mentality on the court. The former Thunder star essentially responded by saying there are no “pals” in the NBA.

“He said, ‘Coach, I don't like 58 point guards in the league,'” Brooks said, via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “He's not friends with other teams. I appreciate that.”

Westbrook will bring that attitude to D.C. after the Wizards acquired him from the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old has been through a strange journey in the last couple years. Westbrook had spent the entirety of his career with the Thunder, but asked for a trade last summer when it became clear OKC was going in a new direction. The former UCLA star struggled early in H-Town, then excelled when the Rockets went to a five-out offense.

However, Westbrook's playoff demons resurfaced in Orlando. The Rockets were ousted in the conference semifinals, with the next few months bringing about an overhaul of the front office and coaching staff. Westbrook reportedly asked for another out, and now he will hope he can have more success in Washington with Bradley Beal.

Russell Westbrook's jersey has changed in the last few years, but the mindset will always remain the same.