While some of the fashion choices at the first annual NBA Awards probably made you want to cry, there was one moment from the show that likely made you actually tear up. While accepting his award for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook teared up when he thanked his family for their love and support. It probably felt great to get to take home that award, but Westbrook made it clear that he’s always been a winner thanks to his loved ones, in particular, his wife, Nina.
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“My beautiful wife. Since day one, meeting you, 2007 back at UCLA, I knew you were special,” he said. “Special to me. You make me go. You hold me down. You keep me in check, through good and through bad. You make sure that I’m on the right track and I’m so, so appreciative of you because you sacrificed so, so much for me. Every single day. And I can’t thank you enough.”
Nina, who also used to play basketball at UCLA, was lauded by her husband for making all sorts of sacrifices in order for him to get to stand up on that stage. In case you missed it, she gave birth to their first child in May, a son named Noah Russell Westbrook.
“As a wife in this league, to be able to have sacrificed some of the things you’ve sacrificed and everything that you do, I can’t put it in words and describe how thankful I am to have you in my life,” Westbrook said. “You’ve blessed me with a beautiful son that I’m so thankful for. You continue to make me go. Every time I come home, regardless of good or bad game, every time I see your face, your smile does nothing but brighten me up. I just want to say I love you and I thank you for everything you’ve done for me thus far. You’re the best wife a husband like me could ask for and I love you, Sugar. Love you very much.”
Another possible watershed moment (it’s a stretch, though)? Kevin Durant congratulating his former partner in crime for his win.
As you probably already know, these two were thick as thieves in Oklahoma City. However, they spent most of this past basketball season being framed as enemies after Durant left OKC to play for the Golden State Warriors and allegedly left unceremoniously. That decision worked out quite well for Durant, but as you can see, it worked out pretty well for Westbrook, too.
Check out his full speech and his emotional remarks for Nina below:
