Russell Westbrook will forever be a legend in Oklahoma City.
That makes any appearance of his in the city a big deal.
Westbrook returned to his former home Wednesday night as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Thunder fans in attendance got the best of both worlds as they got to see Westbrook and see his new team collapse late for a Thunder victory.
While Westbrook is no longer based in Oklahoma City as a player, the fans there still seem to love him and gave him a great ovation Wednesday night.
Russ got a warm welcome in his return to OKC 👏
(via @joe_mussatto)pic.twitter.com/NNKtW6f0kT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 28, 2021
This is well-deserved and will continue to happen anytime he returns to his former hometown during his NBA career.
His Time In OKC
Westbrook was the last man standing of the potential Thunder dynasty featuring himself, Kevin Durant, and James Harden.
He was a No. 4 overall pick in 2008 by the Thunder when they were in their final days as the Seattle SuperSonics.
LA intros, with crowd response to Westbrook. #Thunder #OKC #Lakers pic.twitter.com/r6FtlfTr3w
— Cliff Brunt (@CliffBruntAP) October 28, 2021
His arrival allowed a dominant core to form and the Thunder were in the NBA Finals by 2012.
That was the last time they reached that grand stage and following the departures of Harden and Durant, the team was never the same.
But Westbrook always played hard and even committed to Oklahoma City upon Durant’s departure to Golden State.
That kept him as a fan favorite and his number is already going up in the rafters as soon as he retires.
The guard also seems to have a feeling of ownership over his old team after he got ejected from Wednesday’s game for getting into Darius Bazley‘s face.
The young Thunder forward threw down a late dunk and Westbrook was livid, leading to his ejection.
Perhaps he wants his old squad to win the right way and return to greatness.
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