De’Aaron Fox cites Rockets’ Russell Westbrook as favorite player

Although Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook doesn’t get his credit from the national media, it’s safe to say the players around the league appreciate his game.

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook has amassed a stellar 12 years in the NBA, as we’ve seen The Brodie compile quite the basketball life. Russ has led the league in scoring on multiple occasions and has an MVP on his resume, not to mention leading the league in assists in two consecutive seasons.

Russ has also had four straight seasons in which he’s averaged double-figures in assists, and has shown the ability to thrive regardless of the supporting cast. Many thought that Russ wouldn’t be able to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder to the postseason following the departure of Kevin Durant in 2016, but they were quickly proven wrong.

Russ led the 2016-17 Thunder team to the sixth seed in the Western Conference, despite being the only player from that group to be named an All-Star. There were also doubts than Russ would be able to thrive in Houston prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, and Russ silenced the critics and naysayers yet again.

Westbrook joined LeBron James and Luka Doncic as the only players to have at least 1400 points, 400 rebounds, and 370 assists this season, which is quite the club to be in. Russ finished the 2019-20 season averaging 27.5 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while having a career-best field goal percentage with 47.4 percent.

Although he doesn’t always get the credit and acknowledgement from the national media, the players around the league certainly notice and appreciate The Brodie’s game. Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns recently cited Russ’ work ethic as being in a class of its own, and Booker wasn’t the only star guard to give Russ his credit.

Hero??? No ??? favorite player? Yes https://t.co/2A1JlS36vD

— De'Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) May 15, 2020

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox took issue with Russ being labelled his “childhood hero” but made sure to note that Russ was his favorite player growing up. Like Russ, Fox is one of the more explosive point guards in the league and is stellar at going coast-to-coast and getting to the basket.

But Fox isn’t even the only up-and-coming point guard to cite Russ as his favorite player as a kid, as we heard Memphis Grizzlies’ star Ja Morant make the same comments regarding The Brodie earlier in the season.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see other players give Westbrook his due over the next several years, as he plays the game in such a way that makes it difficult to not like him. Russ has a swagger that’s unmatched yet easy for players to relate to.

Hopefully the national media will take notice of the Houston Rockets’ star’s game and accomplishments at some point sooner than later.