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Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s Ranking In Dynamic Duos

By Austin Denean

Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) talks to guard Derrick Rose (1) during overtime against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) talks to guard Derrick Rose (1) during overtime against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Following the 2010-11 season, the Chicago Bulls appeared to have a championship window that would be wide open for years to come after their 22-year-old point guard had just become the youngest MVP in NBA history. That was where his happy story would end with the Bulls, suffering multiple injuries and eventually tearing his ACL later in the first round of the playoffs against the 76ers.

Since his injury, Derrick Rose hasn’t been able to string healthy months of basketball together and hasn’t looked the same when he has played.

However, his injury allowed for the emergence of Butler, who has gotten better each year he has been in the league. He has developed into a lockdown defender and excellent option on the offensive end, currently averaging 21.8 points per game and has become the best player on the Bulls roster.

While Rose has shown flashes of his old MVP form, he hasn’t been able to stay completely healthy since he won the award. Speaking for all basketball fans, we hope Rose can return to the explosive, fantastic player he was pre-ACL tear. Until then, he and the Bulls will be relying on Butler’s improvement and consistency to carry them through the season and into the playoffs.

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