NBA legend Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, praised Russell Westbrook for his loyalty to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his speech inducting the Oklahoma City Thunder star point guard into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday in Oklahoma.
He added that Oklahoma should be proud of Russell Westbrook's loyalty to them.
"Another thing you guys should be proud of is the sense of loyalty this kid has shown," Jordan said as the crowd in attendance cheered.
Russell Westbrook could've also left the Oklahoma City Thunder when Kevin Durant decided to spurn the Thunder and sign with Golden State Warriors. Instead he chose to stay put and sign an extension with the only franchise he's ever played for his entire career.
"He could've easily come to Charlotte," Jordan said, smiling, "But he decided to stay here in Oklahoma. I'm not here to try and bash anybody that's not here. Everybody has a choice. I'm not saying everybody doesn't have a choice. But when I saw he chose to stay in Oklahoma I was so proud, and as Clay Bennett knows and Russ know, I texted him to show a sense of respect. "
Last year, it was Kevin Durant who was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Russell Westbrook was his presenter. During his speech, Kevin Durant said, "Hopefully we'll be here next year for Russell Westbrook's induction."
This year, with no Kevin Durant in attendance, Russell Westbrook asked Michael Jordan to be his presenter and the GOAT happily obliged. He had a list of people whom he wanted to be as presenters but it was Michael Jordan who "responded right away". Michael Jordan has long been a fan of Russell Westbrook and he's the face of the Jordan Brand.
"When Russell asked me to be a presenter, I didn't even pause because of the relationship and the respect that I have for Clay Bennett and obviously the respect that I have for Russell," Jordan said. "I'm truly a fan of his. If you can ever say, being that we're so many years apart, that I can now watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance in his passion for the game of basketball in the way I play the game of basketball."
