LeBron James says there’s one part of Russell Westbrook’s game that deserves more attention, and it has nothing to do with numbers or highlight plays.
On the latest edition of the Mind The Game podcast, James reflected on Westbrook’s retirement and made it clear that what stood out most to him was the former MVP’s approach to showing up every day.
“I think one of the things about Russ that doesn’t get talked about is like the guy never wanted to take a night off. Wanted to play in every single game.
Being a teammate of his for that year or two, I think it was a year and a half, maybe two years in LA. He never wanted to take a game off.
LeBron James on the retirement of Russell Westbrook:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) November 3, 2026
“I think one of the things about Russ that doesn’t get talked about is like the guy never wanted to take a night off. Wanted to play in every single game. Being a teammate of his for that year or two, I think it was a year and… https://t.co/mdSFIOZM8k pic.twitter.com/bJncXaifke
Never wanted to take a practice off. Great dude.
You can never, it’s not going to be one person that played with him in the locker room and he like, man, he wasn’t a good teammate like, everyone raves about him, including myself. Kudos to him and that jacket, that Hall of Fame jacket is next.”
James and Westbrook were teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2021 to 2023, and that stretch clearly left an impression on James beyond the box score.
Westbrook, who announced his retirement from the NBA in August, has already started receiving recognition for his career. The Oklahoma City Thunder said they will retire his jersey in February 2027.
Westbrook called the honor deeply meaningful when he spoke about it.
“It’s amazing; it’s a true blessing, Quite frankly, it's not just for me, my family - my kids, wife, my mom, my brother-in-law, the entire city. Being able to grow up not even imagining you'd be able to be a professional athlete, needless to say, be in the NBA.
But to be able to get your jersey retired, it creates a legacy; it creates a sense of all the work, time, effort, and energy you put into the game. I'm just truly grateful for that honor.
I look forward to that night.”
James and Westbrook also crossed paths long before they were Lakers teammates. They met as opponents in the 2012 NBA Finals, when the Heat beat the Thunder in five games and James won his first NBA championship.
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