Bouncer doesn’t recognize Russell Westbrook, even in that outfit
After scoring a game-high 33 points to help his Oklahoma City Thunder edge past the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Monday night, Russell Westbrook decided to take advantage of the trip back to his hometown to enjoy the L.A. nightlife. For just a second there, though, the All-Star point guard/beverage pitchman/international fashion celebrity got a momentary reminder of how the other half lives.
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On one hand, it is kind of amazing that a bouncer at an L.A. nightspot wouldn’t be familiar with the 27-year-old Westbrook, not just because of his on-court accomplishments, but because his forays into the fashion world have made him the kind of personality whose profile extends beyond the scope of athletics and into the broader world of celebrity writ large. Then again, the spot on which Westbrook and his pals rolled up — The Nice Guy — reportedly gets its fair share of notable visitors, including A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber, so it’s not totally shocking that even a crossover star like Russ wouldn’t possess quite the level of wattage to be instantly recognizable for a bouncer.
That’s true even if Russ is the first name we’d think of when we saw someone dressed in what GQ’s Megan Gustashaw details as “white thermal long johns, baggy shorts, a vintage T-shirt, heavy combat-style boots [and] a pair of fingerless leather gloves because, why the eff not,” and what we’d describe as “an outfit that makes us wonder if someone is rebooting the ‘Bad’ video as a major motion picture.”
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After ensuring the bouncer that he knew the club’s owner and making a quick phone call to confirm, Westbrook and his friends were ushered inside, creating a feel-good finish for all involved — Russ didn’t pop off in ugly fashion, the bouncer did his job without acting like a jerk about it, and the visiting party got to its intended destination. A story about a pro athlete going out after a game that doesn’t end badly: it’s a Christmas miracle!
Hat-tip to For the Win.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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