BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 23, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NBABy Jesse Kramer on

Russell Westbrook got the recognition he deserves on Monday, by being named the 2016-17 NBA MVP after an historic season where he broke Oscar Robertson’s triple-double record.

During Westbrook’s moving MVP speech, he made sure to mention his love for Oklahoma City. And it’s clear that love is mutual. By Tuesday morning, there were billboards and banners all over the city honoring and congratulating Westbrook.

Unsurprisingly, Westbrook also earned a spot on the front page of local newspaper The Oklahoman.

Here’s what Westbrook had to say about Oklahoma City during his acceptance speech:

“I want to give a special thanks to all the fans in Oklahoma City. You guys have been riding with me since day one. You guys have been riding with me through good games, bad games, always there lifting me up, and I’m just so thankful for all the fans there. So thank you guys.”

https://youtu.be/WkcYz6Wf9L8?t=3m12s

Everyone is coming out of the woodwork to congratulate Russell Westbrook on winning 2016-17 NBA MVP.

Kevin Durant, Westbrook’s former teammate who left the Thunder to win a title with the Warriors, also congratulated Westbrook on his YouTube page:

“Huge congrats to Russell Westbrook on MVP, that boy went out there and was a created player on 2k all year, Fuckin balled out. Gotta respect it!”

It’s still unclear if Westbrook has forgiven Durant for leaving.

And then we also saw Taylor Swift post a not-so-funny, cringeworthy video jokingly taking partial credit for Westbrook’s NBA success:

Above all else, Westbrook received a note from Michael Jordan, who reminded Russ that he also won his first MVP before his first title.

Jordan, of course, finished with six championships, but Westbrook — who is 28 years old — will likely have to wait at least another couple of years for his first while the league waits out the Warriors dynasty.

[FTW]

About Jesse Kramer

Jesse is a writer and editor for The Comeback. He has also worked for SI.com and runs The Catch and Shoot, a college basketball website based in Chicago. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow Jesse on Twitter @Jesse_Kramer.

View all posts by Jesse Kramer