NBA Sunday Social: Russell Westbrook’s return to Oklahoma City was supposed to be the top talking point of the week. However, two of his former teammates stole the show on Twitter.
Kevin Durant once said:
"“I could speak all night about Russell.”"
He made that statement during his MVP acceptance speech in 2014. Fast forward to today and oh how things have changed, but more on that later. Many Thunder fans still feel the way KD did back in 2014 about Russell Westbrook, and it showed on Thursday night.
Following the national anthem, the arena went dark, and fans directed their attention to the jumbotron where Russ’ comprehensive tribute video began playing. After the video concluded, Westbrook was announced first in the Houston starting lineup, receiving the hometown shout from the Thunder’s PA announcer, which could be heard on the TNT broadcast.
If you were inside the arena though, you missed that, because all that could be heard was a raucous round of applause for the 6-foot-3 guard from UCLA.
Top-notch tribute video
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1215464546820816896?s=20
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in their 12th year of existence. This video was by far the best they have ever put together. It featured everything, from good moments to bad. Watching this clip with 18,203 other people, brought all the feels into the Peake, not just for the fans, but for team staff, arena employees, and the man of the evening himself.
Bravo Oklahoma City Thunder, looking forward to what you put together when number zero goes up into the rafters.
Traditions
Loudest I’ve ever heard it when Russell Westbrook runs to the corner. Awesome that he did his Thunder pregame routine. pic.twitter.com/KsWHyWF6oY
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) January 10, 2020
Welcome back Brodie
Welcome back number zero. pic.twitter.com/mpNJ3Giwz9
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 10, 2020
Showing both sides of the spectrum
Kevin Durant deserved this welcome too, Russell Westbrook just prolonged their rebuild by two years.
— ͏wade (@PlayoffDWade) January 10, 2020
I completely disagree with this tweet, however, it’s important to include every side of an argument.
Summarizing how special the evening was…
Berry Tramel just now on @sportsanimal: “Russell Westbrook couldn’t stop smiling after the game....he used to be ready to to take a blowtorch to everything in his path after losing a basketball game by 20.”
— Matt Ravis (@mattravis) January 10, 2020
For context, Berry Tramel is the infamous reporter Westbrook would always hit with the line next question. For what it’s worth, Russ did answer Berry’s insightful question on Thursday night.
Zero regrets
“I don’t regret anything I did here… they gave me all they had when I gave them all I had.”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 10, 2020
Russ reflects on return to OKC and thanks Thunder organization for everything. pic.twitter.com/m9mQXsrVWv
Home sweet home
Russell Westbrook on the tribute video:
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) January 10, 2020
"Some things you can't put into words. I had been here so long, so many great memories, great fans. Tonight they came with it. The organization, Sam (Presti), Mr. (Clay) Bennett do things great. It felt like I was home today."
Seems accurate
Per sources: Westbrook was overwhelmed with the fan turnout said there was more people in the building tonight then the yearly attendance combined so far in Houston
— Shai Gilgreatness-Alexander (@Jhickness9) January 10, 2020
One of the most ASININE takes EVER!
"I remain a Russell Westbrook fan as you know, but I liked nothing about the way he handled last night in OKC. Predictably, Russ made the entire night about Russ. It was the height of ego mania, I thought it would be more of a 'Thank you OKC night.'" — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/WLwPi4URYU
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 10, 2020
The Real Westbrook
I can’t over emphasize how great Westbrook was last night.
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) January 10, 2020
He was gracious, thoughtful in his answers, he was great on the court, and aware of what the night meant to the fans and arena workers. He could have been too cool, but instead he showed OKC his real self the whole time
You can also check out the real Westbrook by clicking here
Russell Westbrook thanks Oklahoma City
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7IQMMXJd8z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
When past and the present collide
Fin
The return of Russ tonight felt like the perfect ending to a great movie, the official close to a great era for Thunder basketball. What a run it was.
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) January 10, 2020
“If you put this scene on a movie screen, is it called a happy end?”
The answer is a definite yes. This twitter user perfectly summed up the evening, and they didn’t even use all 240 characters.
The best of the rest
The beef heard ’round the NBA
HORSE was built upon a foundation of beef. Tonight, we got some A-1 Prime Twitter Beef between Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant. Here's a screenshot recap. pic.twitter.com/422RW27gB8
— HORSE (@HORSE_hoops) January 10, 2020
In tweets that have since been deleted, former teammates Durant and Kendrick Perkins exchanged words and took the spotlight away from Westbrook on his night. Durant has always been one to seek attention via social media, this was right on course for him. It was just unfortunate to see.
He called it
Here is what I think the Thunder should do Thursday.
— Parker Burnett (@ParkerB05) January 7, 2020
Announce the other four Houston starters. Cut the lights, play the Russ tribute video, then announce him like we did when he was here.
“Starting at guard....FROM U. C. L. A.”
Parker Burnett nearly predicted how Russ’ intro would play out to a T. Only Russ was announced first, and just like old times and he received the unofficial loudest ovation in the history of Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The League must do a better job at constructing the schedule
Clippers really got four days off in a row because the NBA scheduled them to play a league-high 38 games in the first 76 days of the season. They only play 44 games in the season's final 101 days.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) January 9, 2020
The power of The King
Same ticket that cost $70 three hours ago is now down to $27 for Thunder Lakers tonight. LeBron brings in crazy revenue for this league
— Shai Gilgreatness-Alexander (@Jhickness9) January 11, 2020
It’s fun to be silly
https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1214776224607883264?s=20
When you are destined to be a lottery team, you celebrate what you can
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7H6FVigxKd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Some teams giveaway 20k others handout cars, the Knicks dish out scratchers
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1215829711974273025?s=20
Lowry is doing his best Chris Paul impersonation
In the 11 games Gasol, Siakam, and Norm have been out, Lowry is averaging 23/4/8 on 41/35/84 shooting splits in 40 mins at age 33.
— Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) January 11, 2020
TOR's best two lineups during that time have featured Lowry as the only true creator/individual scoring threat.
The Raps have gone 6–5.
All-Star.
Chris Paul the future coach
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7KYt50pOJj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
On Friday night, Thunder guards Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attended the Oklahoma City Blue game. The Blue is the Thunder’s G-League affiliate. Not only did Paul mentor the Blue players, but he also provided advice to some members of the Blue’s opponent the Raptors 905.
Don’t mess with Big Perk
Fair enough @KendrickPerkins. Wasn’t implying that at all. Was just highlighting how things are perceived when you talk of someone you shared a locker room with. Nothing more. But do you bro. Appreciate the clarification.#Respect
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 10, 2020
In addition to scoffing with Stephen A Smith and Durant, Perk also exchanged words with Matt Barnes on Twitter as well.
Enes Kanter is a Legend
The news of Kanter opening a charter school is the perfect high note to end the week. Kanter has discussed on copious occasions how he can never return to his home country of Turkey. Therefore, Enes decided to open a school in his adoptive home of Oklahoma.
Kanter will never be remembered as one of the best players in Thunder history. With that said, he certainly will be remembered as one of the most beloved. In addition to Kanter’s latest tie to OKC, the Turkish center has continued hosting basketball camps in the summertime each year, since being dealt to the Knicks 2017.
Have a great week, and check back next Sunday to view all the social happening around the NBA.