Russell Westbrook’s career has been marked by overcoming early predictions. After starting out as a backup for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, he went on to become the team’s most proficient scorer.
Westbrook once averaged a triple-double four times in a span of five seasons, including the league-high scoring averages of 28.1 and 31.6 in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons respectively.
Despite all the championship-level winning accolades, an NBA title has eluded Westbrook’s career. Instead, he has had to endure plenty of criticism from those who accuse him of being a selfish player but much of the social media was in unison to defend the nine-time All-NBA star after he crossed 26,000 career points.
Internet Defends Russell Westbrook
Russell achieved the feat during the March 15 game against the Washington Wizards, hitting a 3-pointer in the first half to become the only second point guard in history after Oscar Robertson to achieve 26,000 career points in the NBA. Robertson has 26,710 points, and it won’t be long before Westbrook takes the record from the 1971 NBA Champion.
Russell Westbrook is the second point guard in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points, per @StatMamba.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 17, 2025
Russell finished the night with 22 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, and one steal, but the Nuggets lost 126-123 to the Wizards despite Nikola Jokic’s 40-point outing. The internet was all praise for Russell’s historic achievements, and the 2017 MVP was given his flowers after the game.
“The most under appreciated player in our generation, my goat,” announced a fan.
The most under appreciated player in our generation. my goat0️⃣.
— Tony0️⃣🌩 (@tonysthunder31) March 17, 2025
What If Westbrook Won A Championship?
Westbrook is on pace to become the all-time scoring leader for point guards, and one fan argued that he would have been in the GOAT debate had he won a championship in his career.
“It’s funny how rings play a huge part in determining the very best to ever play this game cause Russ w 3 rings would be in the debate for the best point guard ever. Sometimes, you just need luck,” the tweet read.
It's funny how rings play a huge part in determining the very best to ever play this game cause Russ w 3 rings would be in the debate for the best point guard ever. Sometimes, you just need luck https://t.co/ld1wKFJcUC
— Vinn (@jadakke) March 16, 2025
But several fans already consider him their GOAT.
“Top 3 PG all time and my goat I’m not arguing my first statement. The truth don’t need an explanation,” a fan said.
Here are some more reactions:
“Him being in the 30k 10k 10k club gonna piss people off,” a fan wrote.
“Most underrated player of our generation,” another fan declared.
“Russ has a greater career than Oscar Robertson but we’re not yet ready for that conversation,” a user noted.
Westbrook is also among the top 10 assists leaders in NBA history with 9,839, only 48 behind Roberston at No. 8. Although not at his best now, the 36-year-old is averaging 13.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in a stacked-up Nuggets roster and would likely overtake both of Robinson’s records by next season.