After 11 years with the Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook was bound to carry memories and the habits he developed with him.
First to the Houston Rockets, and now to the Washington Wizards, Westbrook — the former MVP who most consider “Mr. Thunder” — is still seen by many as a player who was a member of an organization that is considered an archetype for building an NBA contender the right way.
To an extent, general manager Sam Presti deserves a lot of credit for that, and on Day 1 in D.C., although Westbrook didn’t call his former boss by name, he gave a shoutout to those who helped show him the way after being asked what “good culture” — something that the Wizards franchise desperately wants to develop — looks like.
“Good culture? I mean, I’ve been lucky and I was lucky to start in such a great culture in [the] Oklahoma City organization that kinda set the stage for myself,” Westbrook said without hesitation.
Kevin [Durant], James [Harden], Jeff Green, at the time, we kinda set the culture. We had [Kendrick Perkins] brought in to kinda bring that hard nose, put-your-head-down-get-to-work mentality.”
In other words, Westbrook credits the staff and his former teammates in Oklahoma City for showing him what success looks like. Fortunately for former Thunder head coach Scott Brooks and perennial All-Star Bradley Beal, Westbrook sees good bones.
“I think that being around here, I can already see Day 1, Day 2 that we have a lot of guys that love to work, that love to work and wanna put the work and that understand what it’s like to put the work in.
“For me, I’m just happy to be able to be a part of it, especially at this point in my career, to be able to come into an organization to be able to help enhance the culture and to bring a little more energy and excitement to the culture.”
All things considered, it’s difficult to imagine him not doing that.
For whatever reason, the divorce of John Wall and Beal seemed destined, as there were persistent reports of the two not being enthused with their partnership. Wall’s injury woes made him less desirable and when Westbrook reportedly ask out of Houston, it seemed only a matter of time before the two teams decided to make the exchange.
Russell Westbrook meets with the media for the first time as a Wizard!#RepTheDistrict | @MedStarHealth https://t.co/QqT0kQLN7h
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 5, 2020
Now, they have, and to D.C. — just like he did to Houston — Westbrook will carry 11 years of mostly good habits and a successful track record with him.
“I’m definitely just here to help and make sure that the culture here is in the right direction. It’s already been great since I’ve been here, so I’m just excited to keep it going.”
Pleasant and upbeat, Westbrook seemed like a new man on Saturday.
But with Scott Brooks once again his coach, the former MVP will be hoping to turn the clock back to his glory days.
Obviously, those were in Oklahoma City. He reminded us of that fact.
