Almost ten years ago, future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook won his first and only regular-season league MVP with the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the 2016-17 season, Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, something that hadn’t been done since Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson achieved the feat in 1962.
While he was on that historic run, Westbrook also broke Robertson's record of 41 triple-doubles with 42 that season. It would be the beginning of three consecutive years that Westbrook went on something that had been done in NBA history, and he is the current leader in triple-doubles with 209 overall.
“Unbelievable. Just a true blessing for me,” Westbrook said. “I don’t give nobody thanks but to the man above. He’s blessing me with a talent to go out and compete at a level every single night, man. And I’m just very, very thankful for his blessing.
“My job is to go out there and do it, and I’m just humbled again, amazing award, and so many great Hall of Famers have gotten this award. And it’s just an honor to be part of some of those guys.”
He added: “I didn’t know what to expect. I’m just overwhelmed with joy, honestly. Just happy to be here. Didn’t know I’d be standing here with the MVP trophy next to me. I just know that every night, every day, every opportunity I get to be able to go out and work out, compete at a high level, I try to do it. And I’m just so thankful that people across the world, you guys, the fans, noticed that this year.”
Earlier that season, former assistant general manager Troy Weaver spoke with Westbrook, learning how to be the face of a franchise after Kevin Durant signed with Golden State.
"Russ is going to be so much better next year." "He's been good -- well, been great -- but he's going to be so much more comfortable. This is the first year he's had to try this shoe on. Next year, he's going to be so much more comfortable in these situations.
"What's funny is he's playing phenomenal this year, but I don't know if the numbers or the season are going to be as good, but I expect him to take a pretty big jump next year."
During his MVP congratulations video, Russell Westbrook received a surprising message from pop sensation Taylor Swift. In the video, she congratulated him on the achievement and shared a fake story of the two going one-on-one, with Westbrook beating her, and when they were done, he told her that she needed to shake it off, which referenced her hit single ‘Shake It Off’ off her fifth studio album, [1989, which dropped in 2014]. She would later re-record the single in 2023.
“Ah, Russell, it's Taylor. Remember, I was the one who taught you how to play basketball — I taught you to dribble, to shoot hoops. And I remember the first time you beat me at basketball, I was very upset. And you said, if you remember correctly, "You just have to shake it off." And I got an idea. So essentially, we have each other to thank for these careers, obviously.
That's why I'm part of your congratulations video — because we go back, you know, twenty years. Actually, we've never met, and that's a fake story. But I wish it were the truth.
You are amazing. You're the MVP. I'm so happy for you. Sending you the biggest hug ever. Congratulations!”
Swift returned the favor after Westbrook went viral in 2015, seen singing Taylor Swift's hit song "Bad Blood" in a parked car, famously calling the track a "banger", according to Billboard.com.
Later that year, Westbrook was seen and Swift concert in Los Angeles at the Staples Center, where he was spotted singing along to "We Are Never Getting Back Together.”
Russell Westbrook recently announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings.
