If it’s not already abundantly clear, I’m a huge Russell Westbrook fan. There’s much to love about him as a person and as a player but for me, he falls in line with a series of players over the years that appeal to me. Players like Latrell Sprewell, Kenyon Martin, and yes, of course, Michael Jordan. There is a common thread among them that speaks to me. This past week, the mild controversy that Westbrook was hooked into further spoke to what I love so much about him. This past week, sports journalist, Stephen A. Smith spoke out about Westbrook right after he set an NBA record for having a triple-double in which he tallied over 35 points and over 20 assists (21 actually, to go along with 14 rebounds). Following Westbrook’s historic night, Smith said,
“Westbrook’s numbers last night mean absolutely nothing to me because even though that’s great numbers, that’s what Westbrook can do. We all know this”. He went on to say, “He’s a former league MVP. He’s the most athletic point guard we have ever seen in NBA history…The numbers are the numbers. That’s Russell Westbrook. He can do that to anybody. But I’m at a point in time in his career where it ain’t about that no more. It’s about whether or not you can get to another level to win the chip.”
As so many athletes are judged, Westbrook will never be fully appreciated for what he does without a championship. Lesser players will be elevated beyond his insane success simply because they won a championship. Westbrook’s response was illuminating and should be spoon-fed to developing athletes:
“I use my platform to be able to help people all across the world. Nobody can take that away from me,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to be able to have a platform to do it. Like I said before, a championship don’t change my life. I’m happy. I was a champion once I made it to the NBA. I grew up in the streets. … I don’t have to be an NBA champion. I know many people that got NBA championships that’s miserable, haven’t done nothing for their community, haven’t done nothing for the people in our world.”
For Westbrook, the game is something he loves dearly. His scorpio nature comes through in his absolute passion for the game, his teammates and playing his heart out each and every time he steps on the floor. No one will ever be able to question his love because his passion is made visible with his every movement. But it’s more than that for him. For Westbrook, the game allows him a chance to make a difference. His passion fuels him and offers him the platform to be more of what he is called to be and to lift others up. For many, we feel we have to make choices that sacrifice our thrival for survival. We can’t do what we love because we worry about whether it will put a roof over our heads, or provide enough stability to our lives to feel safe and comfortable. But, as many have discovered, as Westbrook is testament to, our passion does not have to be distinct from all of the other things we love and want to do with our lives. That when we dive into what we are most passionate about, the love that we experience there naturally radiates outward into the other places we feel drawn and called. The love that fuels that passion is not a finite source. In its infinite nature it only continues to grow and ripple outward, touching and uplifting those fortunate to get caught in its waves.
So take a note from Westbrook, don’t worry about what the world defines as success and tells you that you are supposed to be. Find your passion first. Feed it, nourish it, dive head first into it. When you do, stay centered as others try to define your path for you, because they will only get louder. As the wheel of your passion turns and gains momentum you’ll feel it invigorate you and fuel you even further. Find the places that you can spread that love. Find the things where you can use your gifts to improve the lives of those that surround you. Innumerable players have allowed their passion to lead them to coaching where they can help the next generation. Others have allowed their love for the game to become motivational speakers. Others have used their success to build teams of their own to work on other passion projects. The possibilities are infinite, but personal. But one thing is certain, as you feed your passion others will be drawn to the light of your fire and want to build it with you.
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