The All-Time NBA Legend Michael Jordan praised Russell Westbrook for his loyalty to the Oklahoma Thunders during the induction ceremony Oklahoma Hall of Fame Thursday in Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook also gave a marvelous speech about something greater than basketball.
All-Time NBA Legend Michael Jordan said in his induction speech that even if they were so many years apart, Jordan can still see many resemblances of Russell Westbrook's passion for basketball in the same way as he had played the game himself.
Behind the scenes with Russ and MJ. #OklahomaHoF pic.twitter.com/AtxxwfFnIh
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 18, 2016
According to Yahoo Sports, All-Time NBA Legend Michael Jordan also threw some jabs on Durant by saying that OKC should be proud of loyalty that Russell has shown. Westbrook could've easily joined the Hornets, but he decided to stay with Oklahoma.
All-Time NBA Legend Michael Jordan even said that he was not there to try to bash anyone (Kevin Durant) that's not here but everyone had a choice. ABC News reported that a year ago, the Oklahoma Thunder organization gathered in Tulsa to induct Durant into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. That time, Russell Westbrook was Durant's presenter.
At the end of his speech, Durant said that he hoped that he will be in OKC next year for Russell Westbrook's induction. However, as we all know, that it didn't happen when Durant decided to leave OKC and joined the Warriors.
The OKC star Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, signed a three-year, $85 million contract extension in August that came with over $9 million raise this season that will keep him under Oklahoma City's team through 2019. According to the New York Times, that night, Russell Westbrook also gave a wonderful speech talking about not only basketball but something greater.
Russell Westbrook said that Oklahoma is an unbelievable community. He was so appreciative of the fact that the people of Oklahoma have been so supportive of welcoming his family. The OKC state was made up of unbelievable, talented individuals, and Westbrook looks forward to celebrating with them no matter what their race, gender, or creed. Probably, the best phrase in Westbrook's speech is when he said that he will accept the award for all the kids who are told because of the color of their skin, where they come from, and what talent they can't achieve something great in their life.
Russell Westbrook also said that he will challenge everyone to join him in being productive citizens and in seeking to bring hope and healing every community. "Regardless of our backgrounds and our upbringings, we can work together to impact the lives of every young person in the state and across this nation," said Russell Westbrook.
