NBA Player Power Rankings: Ex-Teammates Dominate

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Nov 14, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles by Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (11/12/1988)
Experience: 9th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .442/.348/.813
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 31.8 PPG, 9.8 APG, 9.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.9 3PM

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how well Russell Westbrook has played during the 2016-17 season. He’s dangerously close to averaging a triple-double and has been the source of virtually everything positive for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Whether you love him, hate him, or feel indifferent, anything other than respect for what he’s doing simply wouldn’t fit.

Westbrook is scoring, facilitating, and rebounding at elite levels—regardless of his position. He proved as much when he recorded 41 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds on 14-of-21 shooting against the Orlando Magic.

One game later, Westbrook tallied 33 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists on 11-of-21 shooting against the Detroit Pistons.

Westbrook’s ability to contribute in legitimately every phase of the game makes him an obvious MVP candidate. He’s posting numbers that haven’t been recorded since Oscar Robertson’s prime years and his team is relying on him for a consistently powerful impact.

For perspective: the Thunder have a net rating of +6.8 with Westbrook on the court and a net rating of -21.3 without him—a difference of 28.1 points per 100 possessions.

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Westbrook is 0.2 assists and 0.5 rebounds per game away from averaging a triple-double.