Austin Rivers on Westbrook: ‘Best teammate I’ve ever had’

In a live Instagram chat, Austin Rivers referred to Russell Westbrook as an “amazing guy” and “probably the best teammate I’ve ever had.”

With the NBA on an indefinite hiatus due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Houston Rockets reserve guard Austin Rivers took time Monday to respond to questions from fans on Instagram.

Regarding new teammate Russell Westbrook, who joined the Rockets via a blockbuster trade before the 2019-20 season, Rivers said:

Russ is my favorite teammate I’ve probably ever had. He’s just an amazing guy. One of the most wrongly depicted persons…

I think people portray him in a way that is just totally not him. He’s literally probably the best teammate I’ve ever had in my life. An amazing guy, and an amazing player. It’s been amazing playing with him. He’s incredible. The passion he plays with every night is inspiring. It’s been an amazing process playing with him.

Rivers has scored 8.5 points (35.8% on 3-pointers) in 23.4 minutes per game this season. Now in his second season in Houston, the 27-year-old has often played next to Westbrook in Houston’s bench-led units.

The 31-year-old Westbrook — a former MVP and nine-time NBA All-Star — is averaging 27.5 points (47.4% shooting), 8.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in his first season with the Rockets (40-24).

A report Sunday indicated that this season’s earliest possible resumption is likely in mid-to-late June, and probably without fans.

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