Russell Westbrook played long enough to perhaps see himself become the villain

The final scene of “The Dark Knight,” Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed 2008 blockbuster, is both a social experiment and a perfect encapsulation of the Russell Westbrook experience.

To keep things brief, Jim Gordon (commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department) and Batman are standing over former ally Harvey Dent’s lifeless body following a fall (Dent was holding Gordon’s son hostage, causing Batman to lunge at Dent.) Because the true identity of Dent — also known as “Two-Face” — would be potentially revealed, thrusting the city into disarray, Batman offers himself instead, urging Gordon to pin a litany of crimes on the Caped Crusader. Throwing himself into the ring of fire to protect a larger entity from scrutiny. One of the more intriguing aspects of this scene is how such strong undertone and understanding are communicated with minimal dialogue. 

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In a lot of ways, Westbrook isn’t that distant of a difference. A man of few words, operating from an emotional standpoint. A character with imperfections. A player who understood the tasks at hand, someone who was willing to embrace the villain role when things went south in order to protect the reputations of others. 

Russell Westbrook’s career averages

On Wednesday afternoon, the 37-year-old announced his decision to retire from the NBA after 18 seasons. Westbrook hangs up his sneakers with one of the most decorated careers in professional basketball history. Nine-time All-Star. Nine-time All-NBA selection. 2017 Most Valuable Player. The most career triple-doubles in league history, hitting those averages in four different seasons. Two-time scoring champ. Three-time assist leader. Member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. It’s hard to top success of that magnitude. 

To begin to tell the story of Westbrook is to acknowledge the peaks and valleys of professionalism. Over a decade of his career was spent in Oklahoma City, cultivating the culture of a passionate fanbase while developing as a young, electric lead ball-handler. Westbrook’s Thunder tale can’t be told without intertwining Kevin Durant and James Harden, three teenagers who dared to zig when the rest of the NBA zagged — but it was the former who outlived the latter. It was Westbrook who stayed while Durant pursued greener pastures in the Bay Area, and Harden pushed for a larger role in Houston. Run into a Thunder faithful and he or she will tell you about Westbrook’s 50-point triple double, about him becoming a leader and guiding a franchise to the playoffs by himself. Or about the way young players gravitate toward him and his philanthropic efforts in the community. 

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But in the same breath as his praises can be sung, the detractions were just as present. The lack of consistent, reliable outside shooting. The tunnel vision, which often manifested itself in unnecessary turnovers. The late-game decision-making and shot selection that left teammates and coaches befuddled. A stubbornness of sorts. When the Rockets traded for Westbrook in 2019, a system that had previously won 65 games in the Western Conference was brought to its knees, forcing management’s hand. Attempts to appease Westbrook’s downhill, spaceless style resulted in starting center Clint Capela being shipped to Atlanta — only for the plan to fall flat on its face in the Orlando Bubble. 

The remnants of Houston’s failed experiment unfortunately traveled with Westbrook in his remaining stops — the Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings. Varying degrees of contention, but all sharing the same theme: trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Outside of his two-year span with the Lakers (which came with its own fair share of drama), five of Westbrook’s last six stints only lasted one season. There were benchings, along with a number of fiery press conferences and media interactions. 

Regardless of your view of Westbrook and his time in the NBA, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Durant, Harden and LeBron James are the only active players who have scored more points than Westbrook. Only James has dished out more assists among active players (Westbrook is currently fifth with John Stockton, Chris Paul and Jason Kidd also ahead of him.) It’s certainly not easy staying in the league for 10 years, let alone five. That Westbrook lasted for nearly two decades, in this era, is enough to celebrate. 

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(My personal interactions with Westbrook have never lasted more than a few minutes at a time — I think he operates on a word count like X — but there’s always been a mutual respect. I’m there to do a job and so is he. The hallway nods, the small talk and even the denied interview requests are all part of the journey.)

You can say a lot of things about Russ — the way he can ignite a team, frustrate a halfcourt possession or do both at the same time — but there will probably never be another player quite like him. Westbrook is unapologetically himself and the NBA is in a better place because he laced them up. 

Just like Batman.