Nobody knows Miami Heat center and former UCLA Bruins teammate Kevin Love better than Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook and Love only collaborated during the 2007–08 UCLA season, during which time the Bruins advanced to the Final Four. Though they were the first picks in the NBA Draft and have remained close throughout their individual careers, they ultimately lost to Derrick Rose and the Memphis Tigers.
Westbrook and Love, who were once NBA All-Stars, are now contributing off the bench to their respective clubs. In their Monday night matchup, the Clippers visited the Heat. In his 18 minutes of bench time, Westbrook ended with eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and two assists. In his 23 minutes of action, Kevin Love, who also came off the Heat bench, finished with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
In the game, Westbrook scored more than 25,000 points in his career and joined the ranks of three players in NBA history who have ever scored more points and assisted more assists.
In the end, the Clippers prevailed, and following the game, Kevin Love spoke candidly about Russell Westbrook.
Kevin Love told ClutchPoints, “I think Russ is one of the most misunderstood individuals in the NBA.” “In the end, I know him and what he’s all about. He is a driven individual who, based on my observations, makes an excellent team member. I believe Russ’s greatest quality is that he plays every game as if it were his last. He is a guy who genuinely cares about other people’s success. He really does.
“He’s still at the top of the league in terms of competitors. It has always been. When people look back, they’ll think, “Man, that guy competed every single night.” He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I never took a vacation night. He is unique.
In today’s NBA, Russell Westbrook’s style of competition is uncommon. There is some misunderstanding about his character off the court because he doesn’t become extremely sociable when he takes the court.
Russell Westbrook stated back in October, “As a person, to me, I want to make sure that I’m pleasant to people and just being myself, and I’ve done that.” I admit that I’m not very pleasant on the court. I don’t want to hang out with you, I don’t want to be friendly, and I don’t want to talk to you. I’ll accept it if it gives the impression that I’m a cruel guy to others.
I have no trouble doing anything you want to do, though, once I’m off the floor. I’m going to do whatever. Some people find it surprising, which is okay, and I’m already accustomed to it.
Kevin Love echoed the idea that Russell Westbrook’s on-court behavior is probably the reason he’s misinterpreted or viewed in a particular light.
