"They f**k with your legacy" - Gilbert Arenas defends Russell Westbrook in face of disrespect for NBA triple-double king
Despite being a former MVP and longtime superstar in the NBA, Russell Westbrook is a player whose legacy is constantly debated. Before he gets ready to start a new journey in his career, one former All-Star turned analyst came to his defense.
Westbrook's biggest accomplishment in the NBA is becoming the all-time leader in triples. On top of that, he is also the second player in history to average a triple-double for a season. Westbrook has one-upped this feat in the sense that he is the only person to do it multiple times.
On his "Gil's Arena" podcast, Gilbert Arenas came to the defense of Russell Westbrook. He called out the critics who have tried to discredit his triple-double feat and diminish his legacy in the league.
"It was like they were trying to discredit his triple-double," Arenas said. "These same people are voting, they got you legacy in their hands. So if you don't kiss their a**** they sit there and f*** with your legacy."
Next month, Westbrook will begin his 17th season in the NBA. After the LA Clippers traded him this summer, the former MVP inked a deal with the Denver Nuggets.
NBA Hall of Famer also comes to the defense of Russell Westbrook
Gilbert Arenas wasn't the only one who feels that Russell Westbrook's legacy has been attacked by media narratives. One Hall of Famer backed up what he said.
Among the people to re-post the clip of Arenas was Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas. He let out a one-word response to let the world know he backs up what Arenas stated about Westbrook and the dialogue around him.
Thomas is likely going to support Russell Westbrook because he understands what it's like to have your legacy influenced by narratives. Despite having a great career, he doesn't always receive the credit he deserves because of the perception of the team he played for.
When the Pistons were winning championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they were dubbed the "Bad Boys" for their aggressive nature. Thomas would end up being impacted the most by this villain narrative, as many pegged him as the ringleader.
The biggest instance of Thomas' legacy being altered due to narratives is the Dream Team. To this day, he believes he was left off the iconic roster because Michael Jordan and others didn't want to play with him.
In terms of on-court play, Thomas is still among the best point guards to ever play the game. He was a 12-time All-Star, led the Pistons to a pair of championships and received Finals MVP honors on one of those occasions.