Historic numbers. Indelible impact.
Russell Westbrook’s tenure as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder is perhaps the most important in the grand scheme of the franchise’s 12-year history. Over 11 seasons, he made eight All-Star appearances, earned eight All-NBA selections and won two scoring titles, as well as two assists titles.
And in 2017, he was named the league's MVP.
So when he takes the floor at Chesapeake Energy Arena as a visitor for the first time in his career on Thursday, it will be… different.
Factoring in the emotion, appreciation and adulation of the Thunder faithful, this won’t be your typical return game of a star.
Russell Westbrook was their everything.
We’ve seen it a few times this year already, with Kemba Walker, Mike Conley and Kawhi Leonard returning to places where their respective impact was immeasurable, and there was no shortage of love felt.
It was a different kind of return, but this season has also seen Anthony Davis make his return to a place where he established himself as one of the league’s best.
While it’s hard to predict the ways in which appreciation will be shown, it’s fair to expect to see levels of love we haven’t seen before in a return game.
It’s a return game unlike any we’ve seen before.
And what can we expect from Russ? It’s obvious he’ll be receptive to the fans of a city that he is "eternally grateful" for and once the ball tips, it will be all business as usual.
He’s averaging 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists this season and has the precedent of these return games to follow…
Kawhi Leonard
Dec. 11, 2019 – Clippers 112, Raptors 92
Leonard – 23 PTS (8-14 FG), 6 AST, 5 REB
Kawhi Leonard's return is one-of-a-kind in that it included a ring ceremony after the unprecedented decision to leave the Raptors just weeks after leading them to their first-ever NBA title.
Sights and sounds: Kawhi returns to Toronto
Although he spent just one season in Toronto, Kawhi made himself into a Candian icon.
In his return to Scotiabank Arena, he was treated as such.
Mike Conley
The @memgrizz welcome @MCONLEY10 back to Memphis! 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/woGc7lerLk
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2019
Nov. 15, 2019 – Grizzlies 107, Jazz 106
Conley – 15 PTS (5-19 FG), 4 REB, 3 AST
Mike Conley spent 12 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, including the most successful stretch of the franchise's history.
Sights and sounds: Conley returns to Memphis
Over 12 years, his impact was much greater than basketball, as he became one with the community by bettering Memphis both on and off the court. As a result, there was an outpouring of love when Conley made his first trip to FedEx Forum as a member of the opposing team.
Kemba Walker
Nov. 7, 2019 – Celtics 108, Hornets 87
Walker – 14 PTS (4-12 FG), 6 AST, 2 REB
Similar to Westbrook, Kemba Walker was everything for the Charlotte Hornets for a long period of time. So when he opted to join the Boston Celtics via free agency, there was a mutual understanding between him and the Hornets fanbase, especially when he admitted it wasn't an easy decision to leave.
Sights and sounds: Kemba returns to Charlotte
It was an extremely emotional return for Walker, who received a moving tribute and warm ovation from the Spectrum Center crowd when he was announced and throughout the game.
DeMar DeRozan
Feb. 22, 2019 – Raptors 120, Spurs 117
DeRozan – 23 PTS (7-12 FG), 8 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL
Of all the returns, this is by far one of the most emotional.
DeMar DeRozan was drafted by Toronto, he became a star in Toronto and he had an integral role in the franchise's growth into a perennial legitimate contender.
Business is business, but when DeRozan was traded to San Antonio, it was tough for both he and the city alike. Upon his first return, the fans at Scotiabank Arena were quick to express their love and appreciation to a player that will forever be linked to their adored franchise.
LeBron James
Nov. 21, 2018 – Lakers 109, Cavaliers 105
James – 32 PTS (11-20 FG), 14 REB, 7 AST
LeBron James knows a thing or two, or three about return games.
In 2018, James made his return to his home of Northeast Ohio to take on the Cavs as a visitor, only this time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was much different from his first return to play the Cavs. Much different.
After leading Cleveland to four straight Finals and a title in 2016, the Quicken Loans Arena crowd showed "The Kid from Akron" nothing but love.
Dwyane Wade
Nov. 11, 2016 – Bulls 98, Heat 95
Wade – 13 PTS (5-17 FG), 4 AST
This one might be the weirdest of them all.
After winning three titles over 13 seasons with the Heat, Dwyane Wade left to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls as a free agent in 2016. Seeing him in a different shade of red just didn't seem right.
Miami-"Wade" County welcomed D-Wade back with open arms as a visitor in his first return but ultimately, the story ended as it was supposed to, as he would eventually return to the Heat to finish out the final 93 games of his career.
Steve Nash
Jan. 30, 2013 – Suns 92, Lakers 86
Nash – 11 PTS (3-8 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST
With the Suns, Steve Nash became a Hall of Famer, winning MVPs in back-to-back years and establishing himself as one of the greatest point guards of all time.
When he returned to the Valley of the Sun as a member of the Lakers, he was welcomed back by the fans.
Phoenix ultimately earned the win as Nash scored just 11 points (on 37.5% shooting), grabbed four boards and dished out two assists.
Chauncey Billups
Mar. 3, 2009 – Pistons 100, Nuggets 95
Billups – 34 PTS (11-19 FG), 4 AST, 1 REB
Chauncey Billups helped lead the Detroit Pistons to an NBA title in 2004, earning the honours of Finals MVP.
An early-season trade saw him join his hometown Denver Nuggets in the 2008-09 season, where he would make his return to the Palace of Auburn Hills in early March. In the same arena where he hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy, Billups received a uniquely-Detroit warm welcome from the PA announcer and put forth an impressive 34-point performance.
Allen Iverson
Mar. 19, 2008 – 76ers 115, Nuggets 113
Iverson – 32 PTS (13-24 FG), 8 AST, 3 STL
Night in and night out, Allen Iverson emptied his heart and soul for the Philadelphia 76ers franchise.
He and The City of Brotherly Love were a match made in heaven.
After being traded to the Denver Nuggets midway through the 2006-07 season, Iverson didn't make his return to Philly until the next full season. In front of a sold-out crowd at the Wachovia Center, Iverson put forth an impressive 32-point performance but the Nuggets ultimately came up short.
Similar to Wade, Iverson's career came to a close the way it was supposed to, as he returned to Philadelphia for 25 games in the 2009-10 season.
Michael Jordan
Jan. 19, 2002 – Wizards 77, Bulls 69
Jordan – 16 PTS (7-21 FG), 12 REB, 4 AST, 9 TO
The name Michael Jordan is synonymous with the Chicago Bulls, and however weird it was to see him don the Wizards uniform during the twilight of his career, it happened.
When you win six titles, six Finals MVPs and five league MVPs for a franchise, there's nothing but love to be shown.
The United Center crowd welcomed His Airness back in the most appropriate way possible, cheering him on, expressing gratitude and showing appreciation for the simple fact he was back playing in the world's best league.
