At approximately 4:30 p.m. CT, Russell Westbrook’s re-introductory press conference-if you will-at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City, a celebratory formality acknowledging Westbrook somewhat surprisingly agreeing to a 3-year contract extension with the Thunder, the only team he’s ever played for.
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Terms of the contract were not announced, but multiple media reports said it was for three-years and $86 million.
Two seasons ago when Kevin was out of the Thunder’s Rotation due to a serious foot injury, we saw a vivid flash of Mr. Triple Double, Oscar Robinson when he averaged a triple double for the entire season of 61/62 and we witnessed it in the form of Russell Westbrook two years ago.
A five-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP, Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists last season and finished fourth in the MVP voting.
The Thunder lost fellow All-Star Kevin Durant to the Warriors in the offseason, making Westbrook the team’s top priority.
Now that Westbrook’s extension with Oklahoma City is official, Durant, naturally, was asked what he thinks about that surprising development. After Durant’s departure, fans and pundits alike created a hotbed of conjecture regarding Westbrook’s future in OKC.
Fr now, both he and Thunder seem to be going all in. When a fan asked how he felt about Durant, Westbrook laughed. As long as the chemistry of the team improves, Westbrook’s game goes to another level. “For me, just being able to see the team we have, the guys we have…”
General manager Sam Presti said Westbrook – who was raised in Los Angeles and spent two seasons in college at UCLA – ended up being a good fit for Oklahoma City. “It’s easy for someone else to tell me what I should do”, Durant said. This will allow Westbrook to make even more money which is well deserved.
“I got nothing but positive energy and vibes for everybody”. “That’s a touchy deal”. I don’t have no beef with anybody or wish no ill will on anybody.
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“Definitely when I had the opportunity to be able to be loyal to you guys, that’s the number one option and loyalty is something I stand by”, Westbrook said. “That’s great for him”.
