One of the most high-energy and ferocious competitors to ever step foot on an NBA floor has officially called it a career. After 18 seasons, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA.
Of course, this announcement brought out a number of players, coaches and fans to give their respects to one of the most dynamic athletes in NBA history, and a former NBA MVP. Among those was Lakers legend Pau Gasol, who took to social media to give a short and sweet congratulations:
Some careers need no words. Congratulations, Russell 🤝 https://t.co/JdE5ZAXDr0 pic.twitter.com/OvcPjmqr0T
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 12, 2026
The message from Gasol was fitting as Westbrook was always far more about actions than words. Westbrook gained the respect of all of his opponents because they knew they would always be in for a battle as the point guard was going to give everything he had any time he was on the court.
The majority of Westbrook’s career was spent with the Oklahoma City Thunder where he formed one of the best duos in recent history alongside Kevin Durant. Westbrook would then be traded to the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards before joining the Lakers in 2021.
Westbrook’s tenure with his hometown team didn’t quite go the way anyone hoped as he was an awkward fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But despite that, Westbrook still had plenty of moments during his time with the purple and gold and always operated with professionalism even as some fans turned on him.
Overall, Westbrook was a nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA selection with two of those being First Team. He was also a two-time scoring champion and led the league in assists three times to go along with that MVP Award in 2017. That season, Westbrook also became just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double, joining Oscar Robertson. He would go on to accomplish that feat three more times in his career.
Westbrook is a no-brainer for the Hall of Fame, especially considering he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team as well. And he is more than deserving of all the praise and adulation he is receiving from Gasol and everyone else in the basketball world.
Could Chris Paul join Lakers’ front office?
Another future Hall of Fame point guard who recently retired is Chris Paul. No one is sure what Paul will do in his post-NBA life, but his connection with new Lakers owner Bob Iger has some wondering if a front office position with the franchise could be on the way.
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