{
  "id": 725092,
  "title": "Kendrick Perkins gets honest about Russell Westbrook's legacy with the OKC Thunder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/kendrick-perkins-gets-honest-about-russell-westbrooks-legacy-with-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T02:59:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kendrick-perkins-gets-honest-russell-025904461.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Oklahoma City Thunder player Kendrick Perkins has offered his honest perspective on Russell Westbrook's impressive career with the team. Despite their strained relationship following a period of discord, Perkins remains a staunch supporter of Westbrook. He acknowledges Westbrook's unparalleled skill set, particularly his ability to average a triple-double over multiple seasons, a feat unmatched since Oscar Robertson's era.\n\nWhile Westbrook did not secure a championship during his 18-year NBA career, his influence on the game is undeniable. He revolutionized the point guard position, transforming it into a more offensive role, blending scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. This versatility has propelled Westbrook into the upper echelon of all-time point guards, a position Perkins believes he belongs.\n\nPerkins, who hasn't spoken with Westbrook recently, expresses his deep admiration for the player. He suggests that Westbrook's jersey should be retired in Oklahoma City and that a statue should be erected in his honor. Despite the absence of a championship, Perkins believes Westbrook's legacy will age beautifully, considering he had nearly everything aside from that elusive NBA title.\n\nHis assessment underscores Westbrook's status as one of the most remarkable figures in modern basketball, his career story serving as a testament to grit, versatility, and relentless competitiveness.",
  "summary": "Russell Westbrook's retirement has prompted people to look back on his iconic career.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "After 18 NBA seasons, Russell Westbrook has retired. A …",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/after-18-nba-seasons-russell-westbrook-has-retired-a",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:02:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook retires from NBA after 18 seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/russell-westbrook-retires-from-nba-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:27:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook retires from the NBA with a farewell video narrated by Michael B. Jordan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/russell-westbrook-retires-from-the-nba-with-a-farewell-video-narrated",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Triple-double king Russell Westbrook announces retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/triple-double-king-russell-westbrook-announces-retirement",
        "published": "2026-08-13T02:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/russell-westbrook-announces-nba-retirement-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-13T10:25:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Guide Network",
        "title": "Russell Westbrook Announces NBA Retirement After 18 Seasons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/russell-westbrook-announces-nba-retirement-after-18-seasons",
        "published": "2026-08-14T13:04:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}