The fact that Russell Westbrook is soon approaching his late 30s means he's spent nearly half his life in the public eye. Anyone with that kind of background knows what it's like to live under constant scrutiny.
For Russ, however, it's all no big deal. The NBA vet for long has had a defined mindset, something he, then with the Oklahoma City Thunder , talked about back in February 2019.
"He say, she say, what somebody say about me, what they say about shooting, passing, dribbling — I don't really care. Every year it's something. They gotta make up something about me. Which is fine. It's good. One thing I always know is, if they're not talking about you, then you're not doing something right," said Westbrook, per ESPN.
By the time Westbrook, born in 1988 and hailing from California, entered the association — picked fourth overall by the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics — the former UCLA Bruins standout had already built a thick skin.
Russ once explained as much, stating that he has disengaged from conversations about criticism since he started playing ball at an early age. In another interview, he made a similar point, saying , "I've been hearing critics since I was born."
Over time, it seems, the 6'4" point guard learned a valuable lesson. Criticism is simply part of the game, a byproduct of whatever he is doing — or not doing — on the hardwood.
Just take what's arguably Westbrook's greatest season to date — 2016–17, when he averaged a triple-double over the entire season.
It was a historic feat, previously achieved only by basketball legend Oscar Robertson. For many, that was reason enough for it to become a moment of celebration. Yet, for better or worse, critics still found ways to diminish it. They accused Westbrook of stat-padding while, as they had in previous years, questioning his efficiency and decision-making.
Everyone knows how tough it can be to get criticized. However, hearing it privately is one thing; watching it unfold publicly is another. No paycheck makes it easier. So what keeps Westbrook's skin so thick?
When asked, the nine-time All-Star pointed to the stability of his environment — the family and friends who help him tune out the outside noise and keep him grounded in the way he lives and thinks.
"I'm extremely blessed, thankful, humble, haven't been in trouble, don't cause no problems. I'm perfectly fine. I'm living the best life. I can't complain one bit," he said .
You might think all that criticism — much of it during his rocky stretch with the Los Angeles Lakers — would have pushed him to prove people wrong, to use it as fuel. Interestingly, "The Brodie" dismissed that idea.
"I don't need somebody to motivate me… I motivate myself to be able to be the best I can be in the world, regardless of what other people say, good or bad," he remarked.
Westbrook added that perspective helps too, knowing that basketball, as much as he loves it, is just one of life's chapters, and that his family remains his true foundation, giving him the space to decompress and shift focus when needed.
Not long ago, the future Hall of Famer seemed to have one foot out of the league. Yet, having somehow fought his way back, he's still here, now playing for the Sacramento Kings . In a way, Westbrook's up-and-down career mirrors the criticism that has come in waves. With his mindset, though, it doesn't seem to faze him one way or another.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
