Brooks says Westbrook could play in NBA until he's 40 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
As Russell Westbrook has turned his season around to average a triple-double for now the fourth time in his career, with career-highs in rebounds and assists, he has proven he is still very much in his prime at 32 years old. It's only natural to wonder how long he can keep it going.
While many were wrong earlier this season when they proclaimed Westbrook was over the hill, at some point age will catch up to him. Head coach Scott Brooks, however, doesn't see that happening anytime soon.
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Before Wednesday's game at the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooks made a fairly big claim.
"He’s locked in and I think that’s going to help him play until whenever he wants to play. He could play until 40 if he wants to," Brooks said.
Now, Brooks didn't say Westbrook would be a star at 40, just that he could last in the league that long. That would mean eight more seasons in the NBA, which would put him at 21 total.
Playing until 40 or older is a pretty rare feat in the NBA. Only 16 players have done it and only one is still playing; Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat. Only four of the 16 players were point guards: John Stockton, Steve Nash, Jason Terry and Andre Miller.
It's not easy to do, but Brooks thinks Westbrook has what it takes to get there, if he wants to.
"He’s been at it for 13 years at a high level. What’s crazy is this. I thought about this about a week ago, how he’s in such great shape and he’s been through a lot of battles, a lot of playoff runs and I say, okay, he can play for a lot longer," Brooks said.
"The guy takes care of his body... When you focus on what you do and you’re living right, you’re able to prolong your career. What he does off the court; his nutrition, rest, treatments on every day off. You never have to worry about Russell Westbrook. Never. Every day off I’m like ‘Russell, please, take a day off.’"
The question could be simply how long Westbrook wants to work that hard day in and day out. Or, it could be about whether he wants to go out when he's still playing at a certain level or while playing in a certain role.
There have been many stars before him who have walked away before they diminished into role players. Not everyone is willing to take the Vince Carter route.
Then again, Westbrook is known for his competitive fire, which he says is entirely rooted in his love for the game. Whenever he does walk away, it definitely will not be easy for him to do.
