"I didn't smile much on the court either" - Kobe Bryant on his similarities with Russell Westbrook
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is known for his relentless aggression on the basketball court. The man never showed signs of fatigue, even if he played over 40 minutes per game.
Needs to be appreciated
Westbrook’s superhuman abilities have earned him fans all over the world. One of them was the late but great Kobe Bryant. While they didn’t necessarily have the same playstyle, Kobe still saw similarities in Russell's approach to the game.
"A ton,” Bryant said when asked how many similarities he sees with Russ. “I didn't smile much on the court either. But he plays the game with such an energy, and such an aggressiveness. I think it needs to be appreciated. He needs to be appreciated. He's not out there trying to be cute with the basketball. He's not out there trying to make friends. This guy's playing hard every time down. It takes a lot of energy to be able to do that, and he just never seems to run out of it."
This is what Kobe meant when he gave everything on the basketball court. Like Bryant, Westbrook puts everything into every possession. Russell chases after loose balls, gets back up on defense, and defends his man with all his strength and ability. The UCLA product always plays like an individual trying to prove something more than a star and unquestionable Hall-of-Famer.
The GOAT speaks
Interestingly, Kobe’s idol, Michael Jordan, has observed the same thing about Westbrook. For Jordan, Russ plays with an unrelenting passion that reminds him of himself. These are big words from someone like MJ, who is considered one of the most intense men on the planet.
"I am truly a fan of his," Jordan said of Westbrook. "If you can ever say, being that we're so many years apart, that when I watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball [to] the way I played the game of basketball."
"Every time I played the game of basketball, when I stepped onto that floor, I always felt like there was someone there that never saw me play the game of basketball, and that motivated me every single night. This kid has the same passion, and you can’t get that," Michael added.
Many criticize Westbrook for his seemingly careless style of play. People seem to pay attention only to Russell's mistakes and turnovers, but the real ballers—like Kobe and Michael—know that what Russ does on the court helps the team in many ways. His love for the game and will to win are infectious, and they will always be appreciated by even the greats.