Michael Jordan: Russell Westbrook reminds me a lot of myself

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Two weeks ago, Westbrook was in Las Vegas with Jordan Brand for the introduction of the Air Jordan XXX1. Total disclosure, I was there too, as DJ Clark Kent and I would host a live Quickstrike episode around the shoe, where we would interview designer Tate Kuerbis and Westbrook. Beforehand, we all gathered in a makeshift green room off to the side of the Brooklyn Bowl stage, as Jordan Brand president Larry Miller greeted the viewers and introduced a short film.

The film, which included clips of Kuerbis and Westbrook and even Michael Jordan himself discussing the new shoe, also focused plenty on Westbrook, who will be the shoe’s primary endorser. Westbrook, who’d never seen it before, knelt on the couch facing backwards, poking his head out from the curtains to watch his own highlight-reel clips on the big screen. Then they cut back to Jordan. "Thirty years ago, that's me," he said of Westbrook. "The attitude, trying to prove myself, showing so much passion for the game of basketball. You see it in his play. You can tell he loves the game, he plays with energy and flair."

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