After 18 seasons in the NBA, Russell Westbrook appears to be saying goodbye to the game — and he’s doing it on his own terms.
The 2017 NBA MVP shared a video on social media on Wednesday featuring some of the defining moments of his career, which included a stop in Houston during his 18-year NBA tenure. The montage highlights his record-setting triple-doubles, explosive dunks, and relentless style of play that made him one of the most recognizable and beloved players of his generation.
“Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” Westbrook wrote in the post. “You had to be there. And now it’s over.”
The video takes viewers through a museum-like display of Westbrook’s career, with Michael Jordan’s voice providing narration. Among the memorabilia featured are Westbrook’s MVP trophy and an autographed Olympic jersey from the 2012 Games, when he represented the United States.
Jordan also appeared in the comments section of Westbrook’s Instagram post, thanking the veteran guard for his contributions to basketball.
“Thank you for all you’ve given to the game!!” Jordan wrote, adding a salute emoji.
Selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA Draft, Westbrook went on to build one of the most distinctive statistical careers in league history.
The 6-foot-3 point guard became one of only two players, alongside LeBron James, to reach 25,000 career points and 10,000 assists. He also holds NBA records for triple-doubles in a single season with 42 and in a career with 209.
Westbrook spent time with Oklahoma City, Houston, Washington, Los Angeles, Denver, and Sacramento, but his legacy was cemented with the Thunder.
He remains Oklahoma City’s franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. During the 2016-17 season, he led the Thunder to the playoffs while averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. That performance made him only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season.
“Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008, and he elevated the confidence and inspired our community every year thereafter.”
If Westbrook’s video is indeed a farewell, he leaves the NBA with a legacy defined not only by historic numbers but by an unmatched intensity, determination, and willingness to play the game his way.