The Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook’s number 0 on 7 February 2027, at the Paycom Center, against the Knicks. He retired in August. In September, Sam Presti was already explaining that the tribute was in the works: “We want to make sure this is done with a lot of care and intent”. Already at work in September, for an evening in February. I understand, mind you.
At our place, a tribute is the drinks reception after the Easter tournament. We start in January, and in April we’re still short of cups. So starting early for a jersey in the rafters, I don’t find that early. I find it reasonable. I’m not jealous, I’m a club president.
There’s a precedent: Nick Collison’s number 4, retired in March 2019. So the Thunder already know where the ladder goes. We hung a jersey once, above the club bar, with two drawing pins. It fell into the chip shop sponsor’s fryer one Saturday in January. We frame them now.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said: “He laid the foundations of what the Thunder is today”. Eleven seasons there, from 2008 to 2019, arriving a few weeks before the franchise itself. For us, that’s called a founding member, and we give him a key.
I wish the Thunder a lovely February evening. And someone to take the banners down afterwards, because in a hall that size, nobody applauds the one who locks up.
As for me, I’ve still got the club bar chairs to put away.
It’s true, we checked: Basket USA.
