As Russell Westbrook leaves the floor after a historic 18-year career, the whole basketball world has come together to celebrate his achievements and legacy in the past few days. But for Draymond Green, however, all of it feels disingenuous.

The Golden State Warriors legend does not have an issue with the fans celebrating Westbrook, but rather with the timing. These were the same fans who used to mock Westbrook on a regular basis when he was an active player.

"Basketball fans suck. By the way, I am a basketball fan so you can throw me in that category, too."

"Basketball fans suck because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don't shoot it well, how he stat pad and how he mess up teams." Draymond Green said on his show.

It is true that Westbrook's peak was with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the 2017 MVP could not reach those heights ever again in his career.

But that does not mean Westbrook fell off as much as fans made it seem like it. He had remarkable stretches even after leaving the Thunder.

In his one-off season with the Houston Rockets, Westbrook averaged 27.2 points per game and logged an All-NBA Third Team selection.

The following season, after joining the Washington Wizards, he helped lead the franchise back to the playoffs after Washington had missed the postseason in each of the previous two years.

While he had a less-than-ideal tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by stints with the Clippers, Nuggets, and the Kings, Westbrook was always an important player on the team, be it coming off the bench at times as well.

However, another legend of the game departs without a proper reception.

Russell Westbrook's Anticlimactic Retirement

It is true that Westbrook was not appreciated as much as he should have been by the fans in the latter part of his career.

"That s—t is irritating, and it bothers you. Make no mistake about it. 'WestBrick' and all the things y'all said about him. And the moment he steps aside, 'Oh man, ya'll did Russ wrong. Can't tell me he couldn't be on a team. Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him,'" Green added. 

"All these beautiful things, why can't we feel that when you're going?"

Historically, players are only appreciated more when they retire from the league, and Westbrook is currently going through the same fate.

There is no denying that Russ had voids in his game, and he was not a perfect player.

But his decision-making, selfless mentality, and athleticism often created legitimate criticism. But none of those shortcomings should erase the magnitude of what he accomplished over nearly two decades.

He was an MVP, made nine All-NBA teams, led the league in scoring twice, and averaged a triple-double in four different seasons.

Westbrook's retirement should serve as a lesson for fans to appreciate what they have, as he is not the first future Hall of Famer to leave without a proper reception, but he can be the last.

So, which other NBA player do you think deserves more appreciation? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy