'Keep inspiring': Kevin Durant congratulates former teammate on retirement

After a 18-year career in the NBA, Russell Westbrook officially announced his retirement on Wednesday. Numerous former teammates expressed their well wishes, most notably former teammate Kevin Durant. The two spent eight seasons together playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, advancing to the Western Conference Finals four times and reaching the NBA Finals once in 2012.

Durant expressed his admiration for Westbrook's dedication and leadership abilities through a heartfelt tribute on Twitter. In the post, he lauded Westbrook's work ethic and leadership, which he stated had been inspiring not only to Durant but to people from all walks of life. Durant further encouraged Westbrook to continue inspiring others as he entered the next chapter of his life.

He emphasized that their accomplishments together as teammates could not be erased. Durant then paid tribute to Westbrook's family and close associates before concluding with "much love and congratulations on an iconic career." While Durant was not Westbrook's teammate during the 2019-20 season, the two had collaborated once in that period.

Westbrook earned All-Star and All-NBA third-team honors, averaging 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Durant remembered a conversation he had with Westbrook's assistant coach Mo Cheeks about whether working out before or after practice was more challenging. Cheeks replied that working out before practice was likely more difficult, since Westbrook was already done by the time Durant arrived for his workout session.

Durant shared the exchange on Twitter. The article was originally published on Imagn Images: "Keep inspiring : Kevin Durant congratulates former teammate on retirement"