I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine….a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career.

我记得我曾经问过助理教练Mo Cheeks：“训练是在球队训练结束后加练更难，还是在训练开始前加练更难？”
我之所以这么问，是因为每次我到训练馆的时候，Russ早上早就已经练完了，而我通常都是在球队训练结束后才加练。Mo跟我说：“训练开始前就过来加练可能更难一些……”从那以后，这也成了我的习惯。
很多人看到Russ在球场上流露出来的情绪，会觉得他是一个很张扬、很吵闹的人。但在我眼里并不是这样。他其实很安静，做任何事情都非常有条理、有自己的方式。他以身作则，而当聚光灯亮起、比赛真正开始的时候，他才会把自己的一切全部释放出来，享受那种纯粹的自由。
作为他的队友，这一直激励着我。无论我走到哪里，我都能看到他激励着来自各行各业的人。最不可思议的是，他其实没有说太多，他只是一次又一次地出现在那里，坚持去做。
整整18年。
对于我们这些职业球员来说，篮球生涯是神圣的。我们为那片球场付出了什么，对我们而言意味着一切。有些人会希望自己能够回到过去，更加用心地重新做一些事情；而有些人则可以拍拍手，心满意足地告别自己付出的那些岁月。
你想成为哪一种人？
我们都知道0号是怎么做的……
冠军，继续在人生的下一个阶段激励大家吧。
无论以后发生什么，我都不在乎，因为曾经发生过的一切，没有人能够抹去……
我们是最早的那批年轻人，在20岁出头的时候一起打进总决赛，一起参加全明星赛，看着彼此经历伤病，然后重新站起来。那些大巴上的时光、飞机上的旅程、打牌、开玩笑、争吵……所有这一切，都令人难忘！！
最后，送给整个Westbrook一家——Nina、孩子们、Russ妈妈、Russ爸爸、Ray、Donnell，还有所有来自Leuzinger高中、UCLA的人，以及很多很多我现在一时没能想起来的人——向你们送上满满的爱。
也恭喜Russ拥有了一段传奇般的职业生涯。
❤️
休斯顿火箭 | 杜兰特 | #威少宣布退役# | #杜兰特长文致敬威少#