Russell Westbrook had a press conference to officially announce he is re-signing with the Thunder, and fans reacted accordingly.
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On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder officially announced that Russell Westbrook re-signed with the team. He is receiving a three-year, $85.7 million deal, with an opt-out after the 2017-18 season. There was concern that Westbrook would leave after his deal expired following the 2016-17 season, so the Thunder locked him up for at least one extra year.
To confirm things, the Thunder and Westbrook held a press conference on Thursday. The new contract was discussed, as well as Kevin Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors.
Fans of OKC reacted positively to Westbrook staying with the organization. They took to Twitter to voice these reactions.
Russell Westbrook is in the house!!! @kfor pic.twitter.com/1CjfF7uvHo
— Jessica Bruno Richards (@Jbrunonews) August 4, 2016
Hes here!! @russwest44 @okcthunder pic.twitter.com/piU31rvEjZ
— OKC Sports (@okc_sports) August 4, 2016
S/o Russell Westbrook. I'm happy for him.
— O (@O3_S4) August 4, 2016
Russell Westbrook Day is better than Christmas and even Groundhog Day
— Tyler (@tyler_klaassen) August 4, 2016
Russell Westbrook. Point God.
— QuaRo Sama (@_JDRojas) August 4, 2016
Russell Westbrook will win the MVP next year
— Korbin Winsor (@KorbinW10) August 4, 2016
Hillary can't even attract a crowd like that. #RussellWestbrook
— thechancellor (@__cjames) August 4, 2016
Can't wait to tell my children about Russell Westbrook
— Jeff Fling (@jeff_fling) August 4, 2016
When does construction of the @russwest44 statue begin?
— Aaron Toler (@aaron_toler) August 4, 2016
"Loyalty is something I stand by" - Russell Westbrook aka Russ aka The guy better than Kevin Durant
— LostNUnbound (@LostNUnbound) August 4, 2016
@russwest44 is killing this press conference lol
— Zeke Sarver (@ZekeSarver) August 4, 2016
The more I come to appreciate Russell Westbrook, the more I come to despise Kevin Durant.
— Chris Dingwell (@Cdingwell) August 4, 2016
"There's no need to wait if you know where you wanna be" mad respect to my mans @russwest44
— YAHM! (@CORALraay) August 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/kaylagrover1/status/761315959114174464
Watching this Russell Westbrook press conference you can tell he hurt KD left
— OTTO HIT DA LOTTO😈💰 (@JBaller_300) August 4, 2016
Mad respect for @russwest44 @OKCTHUNDER he stayed and didn't leave like that disloyal @KDTrey5 #RussellWestbrook
— Deon (@deontherealmvp) August 4, 2016
"Loyalty is the #1 option" - Russell Westbrook. A good stab at Durant
— holden tudix (@MicahDoneham66) August 4, 2016
"Sting for who?" I love you @russwest44
— Mandy (@M_W) August 4, 2016
Russell Westbrook just said he loves Enes Kanter, so do I Russell
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) August 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/Grimsbee/status/761317878192824320
Russell Westbrook is a solid man. If I had the platform, I'd put Durant on blast. He's being humble and kind. #westbrook #okcthunder
— Paxton Zbornak (@freezdrdromance) August 4, 2016
Everyone seems to be satisfied with the re-signing of the five-time All-Star. He has become the face of the franchise, and will take this team into the future. This will be with players like Enes Kanter, Victor Oladipo, and Steven Adams. How this Durant-less nucleus works together will be an intriguing storyline of the ’16-’17 season. With Westbrook leading them, we’ll see how high of a playoff seed in the Western Conference they can receive.
Russell Westbrook will be a favorite to become the NBA MVP as well. If he wins, then his popularity in Oklahoma City may go to a new level. A title would be another story.
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