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Taylor Swift Once Claimed She Taught Russell Westbrook How to Play Basketball and ‘Shake It Off’ in Resurfaced Clip

Published 05/19/2022, 10:30 PM EDT

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A resurfaced video from 2017 shows Taylor Swift claiming that she taught Russell Westbrook how to play basketball. In the video, Swift also revealed that she and Westbrook have known each other for over 20 years and that the 33-year-old NBA star inspired her famous song ‘Shake It Off.’

Taylor Swift has had a long-standing relationship with the NBA. It dates back to her performing the national anthem at a 76ers vs Pistons game when she was 12 years old.

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Fast forward to 2014, she posed for a photo with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire at a Knicks’ practice session.

Taylor Swift congratulates Russell Westbrook in an awkward video

2017 was the best season in Russell Westbrook’s career. He put up unprecedented numbers playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging a triple-double with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.

As a result, he received a well-deserved MVP award that season. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift recorded a somewhat awkward video to congratulate him.

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In the video, Swift says, “Remember, I was the one who taught you how to play basketball. I was the one who taught you how to dribble, to shoot hoops, you know.

The 32-year-old singer-songwriter also hints that Westbrook was the inspiration behind her song ‘Shake It Off.’

And I remember the first time you beat me at basketball. And I was very upset,” Swift continues, “you said you just have to shake it off. Then I got an idea.

So essentially, we have each other to thank for these careers obviously.” Furthermore, Swift goes on to say she and Westbrook have known each other for 20 years. Then she admits it’s not true. But she wishes it were.

The famous pop star was obviously trying to congratulate Westbrook in a fun, light-hearted way. But her jokes didn’t land as smoothly as she anticipated. She also sent Westbrook hugs and kisses at the end of the video.

Westbrook is a Taylor Swift fan

On the other hand, Westbrook is also a well-known Taylor Swift fan. He has posted multiple videos on the internet of either singing or enjoying her songs.

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USA Today via Reuters

In 2013, while he was nursing a meniscus tear in his right knee, he posted a video of him singing Swift’s ’22’. Two years later, he was seen mouthing the song ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’ at a Taylor Swift concert in the then Staples Center.

He also once called Swift ‘the best’ in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Clearly, both Russell Westbrook and Taylor Swift are fans of each other’s work. Westbrook has found solace in Swift’s music in difficult moments in his career.

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Written by:

Satagni Sikder

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Satagni Sikder is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He has a Master's degree in English from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and has been following the NBA since 2017. Moreover, he supports the Dallas Mavericks, and unsurprisingly, Luka Doncic is his favorite player.
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Edited by:

Arunaditya Aima