Only Westbrook's wife, Earl Nina, knew how many times the man had slipped that ring onto his finger in his dreams.
And how many times he had woken in tears after dreaming that he'd gone his entire life without a championship.
Today, at last, his wish had come true.
As his wife, Nina was naturally happy for him.
Nina held out her right hand in response to Westbrook.
On the ring finger of her right hand was a slender, elongated cushion-cut diamond ring.
It was the ring Westbrook had commissioned from a famous Beverly Hills jeweler named Jason in 2014, before he and Nina were married. It was worth $700,000.
The exchange between the couple, and the interaction between father and daughter, moved countless spectators in the arena and watching on screens.
Wang Yi came over and wrapped an arm around Westbrook's shoulders, squeezing tightly.
Westbrook turned and gave Wang Yi a huge hug in return.
He whispered in Wang Yi's ear again, "Thank you."
Then Rose, another veteran, came over as well.
He embraced Westbrook tightly.
The applause in the arena continued without pause.
Jokic, who had spent so many years battling in the league, had long yearned for a ring of his own.
Now he watched Rose earn his second ring, while Westbrook received the first of his career. Envy once again filled his heart.
But although the big, pale Jokic was envious, he had no plans to latch onto a superstar just yet.
After all, though he was already 36, his skill-based style still made him a first-rate center.
He had also won back-to-back MVP awards.
If he went chasing a championship by joining a superstar now, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.
He had long since decided that he would give it everything he