Former NBA player, Enes Freedom recently put some of his former teammates to shame with a social media post. Enes played with many superstars over the years but Russell Westbrook is whom he believes was the best.
There are a lot of amazing things that Russell Westbrook has done for the game of basketball. Throughout the 2010s, the former MVP dominated the floor while averaging never-seen-before numbers. His stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder put him and the team on the map. Today, he is one of the most respected players in the league irrespective of the setbacks he has had recently.
The 9x All-Star won the 2017 League MVP award for averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. Westbrook led OKC through four deep playoff runs in his nine-year tenure with the team. During his MVP season, he averaged 37.4 points per game along with 11.6 rebounds, and 10.8 assists.
Unfortunately, the Thunder never made it to the finals with him on the roster except for one time in 2012 against the Miami Heat. But Mr. Triple-Double came into existence soon after that year.
Enes Freedom gave Russell Westbrook the biggest compliment on his birthday
Russell Westbrook has played alongside multiple superstars including Kevin Durant, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and many more. However, one of his most unique teammates was Freedom, who is now popularly known for his work outside the NBA. Both players were at their peak when they played together for the Thunder. And Westbrook was arguably the best player in the league at that time.
Russ had recently celebrated his 35th birthday and Enes shared a heartfelt message for his ex-teammate via Instagram. He said, “Happy birthday to my brother @russwest44 / The best player I have ever played with and one of the best teammates I ever had, on and off the court.” Calling Westbrook one of the best players around was Enes’ way of giving credit where it is due.
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Westbrook has faced a lot of criticism for being washed out lately. However, history speaks for itself, especially if you have 198 triple-doubles (and counting) on your resume. However, Freedom has never said the same about Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, or even Durant.
When did Russell Westbrook and Enes Freedom last play together?
Enes Freedom and Russell Westbrook played three seasons together for the Thunder. The point guard was in his prime while Freedom was entering his peak at the time. This was around the time Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo were also on the roster while OKC posed a major threat in the Western Conference. However, this roster did not see much playoff success but surely dominated the floor while it lasted.
Since then, Westbrook has shifted bases thrice. In 2019, he signed with the Houston Rockets to play alongside Harden. A year later he was shipped to the Washington Wizards. In 2021, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers gave him a shot. But the Big 3 featuring Anthony Davis did not work out, ultimately forcing LA to trade him to their rivals. Russ has been playing according to his role fairly well since joining the LA Clippers.
On the other hand, Enes Freedom has not played in the league since 2022. He last performed for the Boston Celtics after which his life as an activist drove him away from the league.