Draymond Green has questioned the way NBA fans have responded to Russell Westbrook’s retirement, arguing that the former MVP deserved far more appreciation while he was still playing.
Westbrook officially announced his retirement after an extraordinary 18-year NBA career, bringing one of the most unique eras in modern basketball to a close.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar finished his career with an MVP award, nine All-Star selections and an NBA-record 209 triple-doubles.
Yet instead of focusing solely on those achievements, Green used the moment to criticize the way Westbrook was treated throughout the latter part of his career.
Draymond Green: “Basketball fans suck”
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State Warriors veteran did not hold back when discussing the reaction to Westbrook’s retirement.
“Basketball fans suck. And by the way, I am a basketball fan, so you can throw me in that category, too. But basketball fans suck.”
Green’s frustration came from what he viewed as a dramatic change in the public perception of Westbrook.
For years, Westbrook was heavily criticized for his shooting, decision-making and approach to the game. His critics also accused him of chasing statistics and hurting his teams’ chances of winning.
Green believes that constant criticism was unfair to a player who continued to compete at an elite level for much of his career.
Green remembers the “Westbrick” era
The Golden State forward specifically pointed to the “Westbrick” nickname that followed Westbrook during some of the most difficult periods of his career.
“Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he don’t shoot it well, how he stat pad, and how he mess up teams.”
Green argued that players learn to live with criticism because dealing with outside noise is part of professional sports.
However, he suggested that it does not mean those comments have no effect on the athletes receiving them.
“And when you’re in this game and that’s all you see, that’s all you hear, you power through it. You fight through it because that’s who we are. That’s what we do. But man, that sh*t is irritating and it bothers you. Make no mistake about it.”
For Green, the biggest problem was not necessarily that Westbrook was criticized. Instead, it was the speed with which the narrative changed after he announced his retirement.
“Why can’t we feel that when you going?”
Green pointed out that many fans who once questioned whether Westbrook belonged in the NBA suddenly began celebrating his career once he announced that it was over.
“‘Westbrick’ and all the things y’all said about him. And the moment he step aside, ‘Oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team. What? How? Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him and not in the NBA.’ All these great beautiful things.”
That change in tone clearly frustrated Green, who believes players should receive some of that recognition before their careers come to an end.
“Why can’t we feel that when you going?”
His comments add another perspective to the debate surrounding Westbrook’s legacy, particularly after a career that produced both remarkable individual achievements and significant criticism.
Westbrook leaves NBA after 18 seasons
Westbrook announced his retirement at 37 years old after spending the final season of his career with the Sacramento Kings.
During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 64 appearances.
His career began when the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Westbrook spent his first 11 seasons in Oklahoma City and eventually became the franchise’s centerpiece following Kevin Durant’s departure.
His individual peak came during the 2016-17 season, when he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
He recorded 42 triple-doubles that season, setting an NBA record at the time, and became the league’s MVP.
Westbrook’s career will ultimately be remembered for much more than the criticism that followed him during its final stages. For Green, the reaction to his retirement is a reminder that NBA fans should appreciate extraordinary players while they are still on the court – not only after they have walked away.
