Why So Many People Were WRONG About Russell Westbrook

For pretty much his entire NBA career, Russell Westbrook has been one of the most exciting, most criticized, most polarizing, and ultimately most interesting players in the league. From becoming a surprising top 5 selection back in the 2008 NBA draft, to becoming part of an incredible young duo with Kevin Durant, to his play style resulting in a rift between him and Durant (leading to averaging a triple double, winning an MVP, and mounds of criticism), to now re-joining his former OKC teammate James Harden in Houston... Westbrook’s career has had no shortage of storylines.
But I feel like to this point, much of the Westbrook story has been covered pretty extensively... but there is one piece of his career that I don’t think has been properly evaluated by very many people: the fact that he has become a player that almost nobody thought he would after being selected 4th in the 2008 NBA Draft. So in this video I am going to look back on Westbrook’s college career, how he evaluated at the time of the draft, and how he was able to go from just a potential lottery pick, to a top 5 selection, to an NBA superstar.

Welcome back everybody, my name is Tucker, and in today’s video I am going to be looking back at why so many people were wrong about Russell Westbrook in a couple of different parts... first I’ll look at his college career, then how he was perceived as a prospect leading up to the 2008 NBA draft (which is much different than how we see him now), and finally I’ll talk about why Westbrook ultimately did prove people wrong about what kind of NBA player he would become.

"UCLA" 1:38
I discuss Westbrook's college career at UCLA, and how the role he played impacted his draft status heading into the 2008 NBA Draft.

"The Draft" 2:35
I talk about how Westbrook was percieved as a prospect at the time of the 2008 NBA Draft, including his strengths and weakness, while also explaining what experts thought of the selection of Westbrook at 4th overall

"Proving People Wrong" 5:33
I show how Westbrook has continually proved people that doubted him at the time of the 2008 NBA Draft wrong with his play in the NBA.

[adfigo]

Russ is so underappreciated and overhated
Good to give him some love with the vid

[scofieId]

One of the most misunderstood and most under appreciated player ever.

[therealneal]

When Kobe said that Russ had the most killer instinct after him, Russ became my new favorite. And I’m from Seattle so that’s a VERY unpopular opinion up here, even tho Russ was Seattle’s last lottery pick ever but that’s none of my business.

[iPrank]

Very respectable analysis of Westbrook. I'm a huge fan of his but I'm not a stan. I'm aware of the flaws in his game. But you hit it right on the nail. His story. His work ethic. His values. His rise to superstardom. Made me a fan of his for life

[Techraider]

Much respect for Westbrook, most players get their money and start slacking and and Westbrook did the exact opposite and got possibly better

[sporgiii]

russ is my fav player he puts so much heart into the game and he plays each game like his life depends on it. he gets wayy too much hate

[tjlevey]

Kevin Love looked so young during draft night

[anakinsand]

I had no idea he was a surprise selection, great video tuck

[Wjqk]

Im a Blazers fan, but u gotta respect Westbrook; he always grinds

[YourAverageFan]

People can hate on Westbrook bc of his antics but shouldn’t be hated on. He’s a hell of a player. Historically great. Top 10 PG of all time imo.

[gabrielalele]

Westbrook & Kobe have been Two of My Favorite players in the 2000s & 2010s Eras respectively.
#MambaMentality

[someone-ebwh]

I didn’t even know westbrook was that good at defense like i knew but u ain’t know he was the pac dpoy

[timometsanoja]

Russell is an attack dog! He is is a monster... He was never my favorite player, but man can ball... Even with the focus on the three ball now, he is still really valuable even with his limited ability to hit the shot.

[DeanJG-Guitar]

Westbrook’s MVP season was one of the greatest single seasons in nba history. Even if he wasn’t a great teammate, A 30 point triple double is absolutely incredible. And you can’t really be that bad of a teammate while averaging 10.5 assists.

[ljj]

Russ is one of the most over hated most underrated players of all time. Consistently been a top 3 point guard since like 2015. He is my favorite player of all time.

[bobharley]

To me its as if they intended to select the best fit for their team in the draft, which is usually frowned upon, to accidentally landing the best player in the draft (minus Drose injury history)

[davincerica]

I see you took some stuff from the Bill Simmons redraftables 😉☺️

[gamemasteroffun]

I think vitale was right. Love would’ve been a better fit for the SuperSonics. You already have your forward and primary scorer Kd. Plus when Seattle picked ibaka in this same draft, George hill, deandre Jordan and goran dragic we’re still available

[BostonBori]

Sam Presti owes his GM legacy to Russell Westbrook i watched him in college he was 3rd option behind DC and Kevin he was a great athlete but was not projected to be a star because of his size and and shooting ability i remember watching thay draft when Seattle picked him thinking this is a talent pick and it was much much more

[anggua]

I agree with Westbrook being 1st pick as of today.
But back in the day Rose and Beasley were no doubt the top picks. Their career didn't go as planned though.
DRose still number1