Ranking the Five Best Russell Westbrook Memes As Star PG Retires After 18 NBA Seasons

Russell Westbrook called it quits on Wednesday as he announced his retirement after 18 NBA seasons. He ‘s a former MVP, two-time scoring champ, nine-time All-Star and the all-time leader in triple-doubles. Although he didn’t win an NBA title and his later seasons were testy at times, he should be a lock to enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible.

On top of the endless accomplishments, one of the league’s most electrifying players happens to be the most memeable. The hilarious facial expressions, trash talk, dance moves and laughable quotes all make up the character that is Russell Westbrook.

That continued through his retirement as he posted a video to social media which announced the big news. The announcement video, which Westbrook posted to his X account, walked through every step of his career and was narrated by Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan. “A meme before we even called them that,” Jordan said in the video.

Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.

You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026

That’s an undeniable fact. Westbrook had plenty of fun throughout his NBA career that spanned nearly two decades, which provided fans with endless laughs along the way. With his decision to step away from the game, we had to take a walk down memory lane. Here’s a look at the five best memes from Westbrook’s illustrious career:

5. Having the time of his life on stage with Kendrick Lamar

Westbrook was part of the crew that Kendrick Lamar brought out as he performed “Not Like Us” at his concert “The Pop Out” in Los Angeles two years ago. We’ve seen the star guard have plenty of fun on the court and on the bench over the years, but this looked like the most fun he’s ever had. You can’t blame him as he stole the show for a few minutes during an iconic hip-hop moment.

4. Pregame dances with former teammate Cam Payne

The Westbrook and Payne pre-game dance ritual from their days as Thunder teammates was classic. Unfortunately, the duo was short-lived as Payne was traded to the Bulls at the 2017 trade deadline in his second NBA season. As funny as the spectacle was, it was awesome to see Westbrook take a young guard under his wing as one of the best players in the league at the time. Now, the videos live on as a good taste of nostalgia.

3. Rock the baby

Westbrook’s signature celebration. His “rock the baby” taunt was absolutely iconic. It was so popular that opponents would do the same move at times after a bucket on Westbrook. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I guess. Hopefully another player takes the proverbial “rock the baby” torch, but no one is like Russ.

2. Bro, what are you talking about?

Russell Westbrook What GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Media scrums are a common birthplace for the best sports-centric memes. As awkward as poor reactions can be, it can elicit classic memes. Westbrook gave us an all-timer when he gave a reporter a puzzled face and subsequently ended the scrum. The reporter asked Westbrook whether he thought his team lost the game or the opponent won. Now, it’s the perfect meme when someone says something out of pocket.

Nick Young or Westbrook, which confused face was better?

1. Nobody saw that, right?

As Westbrook was sidelined to start the 2018 season, the broadcast caught him sneaking a snack on the bench as the TNT crew discussed his rehab process from a knee procedure. He thought nobody was looking, but everyone at home and the entire internet caught it. Who knew that food on the bench was so frowned upon? A truly hilarious moment from an all-time viral guy.

That’s definitely not me going through my kid’s Halloween candy.

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