Earlier this week, UCLA men's basketball alumnus and basketball legend Russell Westbrook retired from the NBA after spending 18 years helping to define a generation of basketball players. Since the Bruins legend called it a career, many professionals from across the sports world have reacted to the news. Among them was seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson on the "Nightcap" podcast with NFL veterans Shannon Sharpe and Chad "Ochocino" Johnson.
“I think Russ should be remembered as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, Unc and Ocho. I mean, the ultimate competitor, a guy every time he touched the floor every night he gave you everything he had in the tank," Johnson explained. "As a coach, as a franchise, that’s all you ask, dawg. All you ask for guys is to come out and compete at the highest level, and he left it all out there on the line, every year. Even the years he won the MVP averaging a triple-double and everybody talking about, 'He stat chasing.' Man, you know how hard it is to average a damn triple-double at 6’3, 6’4? Man, please!”
Despite being disrespected by many fans throughout his NBA career, the one fact that remains extremely clear is that Westbrook was very well respected by his peers throughout the league, which is what truly matters as he now hangs his sneakers up for good.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 7x NBA All-Star thinks Westbrook is 'one of the greatest point guards'