Anthony Davis made sure Russell Westbrook’s retirement landed with the kind of respect a player like that demands.
Westbrook announced on Aug. 12 that he’s done after 18 NBA seasons, and the reaction poured in fast from former and current stars. Davis was among them, jumping into Westbrook’s retirement post with a short but emphatic salute: “My dawg!!!!,” Davis commented.
“Congrats on the entire journey champ! Legend forever!
Yeah 5!!!”
That kind of response fits the way Westbrook’s career will be remembered. For 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was one of the defining players of the 2010s, a one-time MVP who became a perennial All-Star and tore apart the old mystique around triple-doubles. When people think of that era, his name is right there at the top of the list.
Davis belongs in that same conversation. He’s another future Hall-of-Famer, a 10-time All-Star whose best years came with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his only ring in the 2020 Bubble. And for a stretch from 2021-23, he and Westbrook were teammates in Los Angeles after LeBron James vouched for the move.
It never really clicked. The Lakers were inconsistent, never seriously threatened to win another title, and the whole run fell flat.
But the relationship between Westbrook and Davis clearly carried beyond the results. At the very least, they shared the experience of being two of the era’s biggest names, operating under the same spotlight.
Davis wasn’t the only one to chime in on Westbrook’s retirement, but his message stood out for its directness. It also served as a reminder of just how many elite players Westbrook crossed paths with over the years - and how much respect he still commands now that his playing days are over.
And when Davis eventually joins him in retirement, he’ll be a no-brainer for the Basketball Hall of Fame too.
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Thunder Suddenly Have A Young Rotation Battle Fans Should Watch
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That is where the real interest starts to build for Thunder fans, because this is no longer just about keeping the bench afloat. Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz are all in position to get a look, and Stirtz has the kind of profile that could make him harder to ignore if the team needs more perimeter scoring. His college shooting efficiency gives him a chance to outplay expectations, which can turn a quiet competition for rotation spots into one of the more intriguing early season storylines. [Read more 🡒]