DON’T keep your hopes up about a Russell Westbrook stint with NLEX.
Not a few netizens broached the idea that since Westbrook recently announced his retirement, he could be available to play in the NBA due to his connections with NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag, who was the player development coach of the Sacramento Kings last season that turned out to be his final year.
Alapag laughed when asked if Westbrook is in the short list of imports that they plan to bring after the injury of DeQuan Jones.
“Unfortunately, Russ is not on our short list,” Alapag said with a smile.
“Maybe he will come visit, but no stints in the PBA,” he said.
READ: NLEX names former Sacramento King Burton as import replacement
NLEX has found its guy to replace Jones as the Road Warriors are set to bring former Stockton Kings player Deonte Burton, the team announced shortly after the Road Warriors lost to Converge, 112-110, on Friday.
But on a serious note, Alapag said it was a pleasure to interact with one of the game's greatest players during his final season in the league with the Kings.
“I’m extremely thankful and really honored that I had an opportunity to spend his last season in the NBA together with him,” Alapag said.
Alapag said that although he was the player development coach with the Kings, he also got an opportunity to pick his brains.
“Had a chance to learn a lot from one of the games’ all-time greats. When he found out that I took the job, he reached out and messaged me on Instagram and sent his best wishes, wished the team and I the best of luck,” Alapag said.
Westbrook played for 18 years in the NBA, most notably with the Oklahoma City Thunder where he won an MVP in 2017. He was also a scoring champion twice during that stint with the Thunder.
Westbrook played his last season with the Kings where he remained a scoring threat with an average of 15.2 points.
“Again, he is one of the best to ever do it, knowing that last season in the NBA, getting that quality time with someone like him, not knowing that it is going to be his last season. I have an even deeper appreciation for him,” Alapag said.
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