Russell Westbrook On Kobe Bryant: ‘That’s My Guy’

Russell Westbrook will be sidelined until at least the All-Star break.

Recently, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers took to Twitter to defend the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook. The MVP candidate scored a career-high 54 points in a loss recently and took 43 shot attempts in order to reach that mark. The media criticized Westbrook for the excessive shots taken, but Bryant quickly came to his friend’s defense.

After a numerous tweets from Kobe over the past few days sticking up for Westbrook, the Oklahoma City star was asked about Bryant’s support and said the following, via ESPN:

“That’s my guy, that’s my guy, that’s my guy,” Westbrook said. “Kobe’s a good friend of mine and being in L.A., I was able to watch him and see him become a Hall of Famer and one of the best players to play the game. It’s an honor to be able to see somebody like that, to be able to have your back and support you.”

Bryant put Westbrook in Hall-of-Fame-caliber company in the following tweet mentioning the San Antonio Spurs franchise, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, via Twitter:

Media critique- Mj was a gunner Magic was a coach killer Shaq wasn't serious Lbj couldn't handle pressure Spurs r too old #BeforeRings

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 14, 2015

With Kevin Durant going down for the season, it has been all on Westbrook to lead the Thunder in the playoffs. The UCLA product has put up some impressive numbers while helping shoulder the load for the reigning MVP, but still may miss the playoffs and settle for a scoring title.

In the final day of the NBA regular season, Oklahoma City’s fate will be determined with either the New Orleans Pelicans clinching the eighth seed in the Western Conference or Westbrook’s squad heading into the postseason.