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Russell Westbrook Hurts OKC

By Sipho Mangoye

Mar 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Chicago won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Chicago won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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For years now, Russell Westbrook has been telling everyone he is the best point guard in the game. Now, he is demonstrating it.

Russ leads the NBA in points per game (27.4), is fifth in assists (8.1), second in steals per game (2.1) and the cherry on top, he is also the best rebounding point guard with seven boards per game and is the third best rebounder who is not a center or power forward.

Those impressive numbers are thanks in large to his superhuman play since Feb. 1.

In the 14 games he has played in between that date and his last outing against the Chicago Bulls, Russ has been averaging 33.3 points, 10 assists and 9.5 rebounds as he posted four straight triple-doubles at one point to become first player to have more than three straight triple-doubles since Michael Jordan in 1989.

In addition to this, he’s been rolling out 40-point games like no man’s business having posted five such games since February, including consecutive games with 40-point triple-doubles against Portland and Philadelphia. To put it into context just how rare that is, only two other players have accomplished the feat.

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One is his Airness, Jordan (of course) and the other being Pete Maravich. That’s it.

But while we continue to be mesmerized by just how incredible Russell Westbrook has been during this stretch, the end results haven’t justified the means.

In the past four games that Westbrook has played, he has averaged 43 points, 9.8 assists and 12.8 rebounds, however the Oklahoma City Thunder have come out victorious in just one game – a 123-118 overtime win against the 76ers, who happen to have the second-worst record in the NBA.

This suggests that the good teams eventually figure out how to stop him as the game progresses, or Westbrook simply gets too tired at the stretch. For example, in the loss against Portland and even against Phoenix prior to that, he missed a few lay-ups towards the end of the game which you would expect him to make.

Granted, shots aren’t always going to fall down but it’s also worth pointing out that his minutes per game have increased. In February, he averaged 35 minutes per game which was the highest he’s had in any month this season and in March it’s now up to 40 minutes so far. While some may say those aren’t particularly jaw dropping figures, just remember how hard he plays.

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    • Westbrook plays the game at 100 mph on every possession and while that may be OK in short bursts, it definitely takes its toll over time and as his game time increases – especially right now when he is carrying the offense without Kevin Durant.

    Speaking of which, what happens when he Durant comes back? Will Westbrook continue to be the leader or will KD reclaim his team?

    For most people right now, the answer is obviously Westbrook will continue to lead the troops. He has a chance to win the Most Valuable Player Award and Durant wouldn’t exactly be the best of teammates if he didn’t help him do so. Then again what happens come the playoffs (assuming OKC makes it in, of course), or even next season?

    While Durant is probably willing to be a good sport and take a back seat for his buddy to have a chance at being the MVP, no way in hell will he be comfortable doing so over an extended period of time. Especially when you consider that next season is his contract year and it could be his last, with his hometown Washington Wizards –plus a few other suitors– lurking.

    So either he will be top dog in OKC or he will find another team where he will be.

    As for Westbrook, he has already got a taste of what it’s like to be in total control of a team and from the looks of it, he is having a whale of a time. As such, it’s hard to see him relinquishing that power without a fight – or at least be happy about it, which could lead to problems down the line.

    Having said that, I could be wrong and the pair will find a way to coexist in harmony and everything will be fine and dandy in Oklahoma City. But let’s face it, how often does that happen?

    Nonetheless, in the meantime, let’s all just sit back, relax and just enjoy the spectacle being put on by Mr. Russell Westbrook.

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