Nevertheless, Beverley believes that media narratives played a big role in the generally negative public perception of Westbrook, which forced the future Hall of Famer to call it quits instead. "I'm going to be honest. I felt like he had a lot of game left. I feel like he played really well last season. I think the media killed his game. I'm going to be honest. I think the media is so strong that it allowed fans to call him names and have opinions about his game, which also forced team owners, GMs, and presidents to look at him a certain way," Beverley said on the newest episode of his The Pat Bev Show.
More on Russell Westbrook: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
Reggie Morris Jr. won’t just remember the way Russell Westbrook changed basketball. Even after Westbrook’s retirement, his former high
school coach chooses to see the way the former Lawndale Leuzinger star is changing the city that raised him. That’s even more important than the NBA record 209 triple-doubles. “I believe that his impact on this community,” Morris said, “is far greater than his basketball impact.” — 8/18/2026 Los Angeles Times
Even during the season, Westbrook made himself available to players on his EYBL teams as often as possible, visiting between playoff runs or at least supporting them through social media. “They feel his presence when he’s there, and he’s hands-on in the situation,” Morris said. “He’s not just giving money; he’s trying to help the kids, give them a different aspect or a different take on what he knows and give it back to them.” — 8/18/2026 Los Angeles Times
“He didn’t back down from anybody,” said Morris, now the director of Westbrook’s Team Why Not EYBL team and the boys’ basketball head coach at Redondo Union. “He was fearless. He was relentless. There’s never really been a player quite like him. I would say he kind of has, like, a Charles Barkley, a young Charles Barkley spirit, where he was just passionate and fiery. He wasn’t PC. He wore his emotions on his sleeves, and he didn’t really apologize to anyone for how he felt or what he was there to do.” — 8/18/2026 Los Angeles Times
Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from professional basketball after a remarkable 18-year career, but his name was recently brought up by many Pinoy fans as a potential replacement for former NBA player DeQuan Jones, who suffered a gut-wrenching leg injury while playing as an import for the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). However, despite his significant ties to Westbrook after spending the 2025-26 season with the future Hall of Famer on the Sacramento Kings as a player development coach, Road Warriors head coach Jimmy Alapag dismissed the possibility of the former NBA star joining his squad and the Filipino league. “Unfortunately, Russ is not on our short list,” Alapag said, via Spin.ph. “Maybe he will come visit, but no stints in the PBA." — 8/17/2026 BasketNews
League sources tell The Stein Line that Washington made a two-year offer to bring Russell Westbrook back to the nation's capital. Sources say Westbrook — not the team — is the party that ended those talks. The 37-year-old apparently balked at the specific terms of the offer and/or the role presented and has decided to stop playing instead. — 8/17/2026 marcstein.substack.com
NBACentral: Austin Rivers calls out the media and NBA fans for failing to appreciate Russell Westbrook during his career, and predicts James Harden, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell won’t get their proper respect until they’re gone (h/t @big_business_) — 8/14/2026 x.com
The Draymond Green Show: Draymond responds to the reaction to Russell Westbrook's retirement. “Basketball fans suck, because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat padding, how he mess up teams, 'Westbrick'... and the moment he stepped aside, 'ahh man, y’all did Russ wrong, can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team'... Why is it that he has to announce his retirement unexpectedly to finally see the love that he deserves?” — 8/14/2026 x.com
Serge Ibaka: What a blessing it has been to share a big part of my career with you!! Drafted on the same night by the same team in 2008… time flies. I learned so much from you and had so much fun playing with you. One of the best competitors ever and one of the best teammates I ever had. I wish everyone had the chance to know you up close like I did. Congrats on an incredible career @russwest44 — 8/14/2026 x.com
Draymond Green on fan reaction to Russell Westbrook retiring: Basketball fans suck. And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category, too. But basketball fans suck. Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat pad, and how he mess up teams. And when you’re in this game and that’s all you see, that’s all you hear, you power through it. You fight through it because that’s who we are. That’s what we do. But man, that sh*t is irritating and it bothers you. Make no mistake about it. Westbrick and all the things y’all said about him. And the moment he step aside, oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on the team. What? How, wow how he played the game. Gonna miss him and not in the NBA. All these great beautiful things. Why can’t we feel that when you going? — 8/13/2026 YouTube
Ted Leonisis: Much respect and homage to Russell Westbrook on his retirement. A true lion and one of the most competitive, highest motor athletes ever. Michael Jordan. Alex Ovechkin. Russell Westbrook. All seemingly with gears others simply didn’t have. A Hall of Fame player, teammate, dad, husband and individual. I loved his spirit and his body of work. Just wish we could have seen him in a @WashWizards jersey some more! This signed jersey has a special place amongst my most treasured sports memorabilia. Thank you, Russ. — 8/13/2026 x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Patrick Beverley on Russell Westbrook: 'I think the media killed his game'
