NBA All-Star Reveals Untold Russell Westbrook Story

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Joey Linn | Last updated Dec 7, 2023 4:14 PM ET

While LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has countless positive relationships with players across the league, he always puts those friendships on pause during each game he plays. This is something Westbrook has spoken openly about, saying once the game starts, he isn't interested in being friendly with anybody.

This mentality has helped make Westbrook the all-time great that he is, and it's something NBA star Donovan Mitchell learned as a rookie. During a recent episode of the Run Your Race Podcast, Mitchell revealed an untold story about facing Westbrook as a rookie.

"Russell Westbrook is a guy I try to emulate," Mitchell said. "Two hand finishes and what not. You know when you watch somebody so much, you feel like you know them? So we're at the free throw line, he gets me on a shot fake. I said something like, 'Good shot fake.' He looked at me and walked away. I was like, 'Ah sh-t.'"

Russell Westbrook was not having it with Donovan Mitchell

“Russell Westbrook is a guy I try to emulate…I say, ‘Good shot fake.’ He looked at me and walked away…”

- Donovan Mitchell

(Via: Run Your Race) pic.twitter.com/zeY3dMpYy1
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) December 6, 2023

This was a great story from Mitchell, who was speaking on some of his first realizations that he was in the NBA. Having watched so much Westbrook film, Mitchell felt like he knew him, but the then OKC Thunder star was not interested in being friendly on the court.

Mitchell was incredible as a rookie, and has since become one of the NBA's more established stars.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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