NBA Legend Woefully Mistaken About Thunder Relationship With Star

The Oklahoma City Thunder have long supported Russell Westbrook which makes this claim by Oscar Robertson puzzling.

Apr 12, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oscar Robertson leads an MVP chant after a presentation to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-Imagn Images / Mark D. Smith-Imagn Images

There are only a few constants in life...Death, Taxes and Russell Westbrook enjoying roaring applause in the Paycom Center. From the moment he stepped foot in Bricktown, Westbrook was a fan favorite. Five teams later, that has not changed. Despite him playing for the Rockets, Nuggets, Clippers and Lakers - not-so-popular teams around Oklahoma City - fans still rose to their feet to greet Westbrook when he came to town.

Russell Westbrook, still loved in Oklahoma City. pic.twitter.com/nhzadXJGC0

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 23, 2024

The applause will still be there for Westbrook in Oklahoma City even as he plays for the division rival Denver Nuggets in what should be a heated race for the top seed in the Western Conference. So color the Thunder faithful shocked when NBA Legend and basketball historian Oscar Robertson claimed that even Oklahoma City had turned on the polarizing star.

“It’s unfortunate for Westbrook that they’re doing some of these things to him. I think the guy is very valuable to any team he’s with but somehow they wanna blame somebody. He kept the franchise going in Oklahoma for years. I went out to see him in OKC and I was happy for the guy but I said they’re gonna turn on you. Because they’re gonna expect you to do this every night and if you don’t win they’re gonna blame you. And they did," Robertson said on the All the Smoke podcast.

The jaded NBA legend seems to be projecting onto Westbrook who has remained in tune with his love for the city publicly - even getting a key to the city in 2022, years after last donning Thunder threads after more charitable efforts.

Russell Westbrook walks up to address the crowd after being given a key to city. pic.twitter.com/TsUobBWztO

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) June 13, 2022

While not winning an NBA Championship in Oklahoma City, Westbrook's legacy means more in Oklahoma City than any other star in the league with their former organization. Despite nearly everyone else in the game of basketball turning on the triple-double machine, Bricktown never did.

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