NBA Player Power Rankings: Kevin Durant Surpassing LeBron?
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Rank: No. 2
Position: Point Guard
Age: 27
Slash Line: .459/.287/.814
Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 24.0 PPG, 10.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM
Statistically speaking, Russell Westbrook is the most awe-inspiring player to grace the NBA since LeBron James’ first Cleveland Cavaliers run. Advanced metrics and new developments may tell a different story, but Westbrook stuffs the stat sheet in unthinkable ways.
Westbrook’s most recent feat: recording 24 points, 19 rebounds, and 14 assists—and no, none of those numbers were recorded during a game of NBA 2K16.
Westbrook’s statistics can be accurately and appropriately defined by any adjective that’s normally classified as hyperbolic. He’s erupting for the type of numbers that are only found in video games, and he’s doing so on a relatively consistent basis.
In three games played over the past week, Westbrook recorded three triple-doubles—a feat that included averages of 22.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per contest.
Beyond his being a walking triple-double, Westbrook is No. 2 in the NBA in both Player Efficiency Rating and Win Shares. True to his explosive form, the 27-year-old is No. 1 in steals per game, No. 2 in assists per game, and No. 6 in points per game.
Westbrook is on pace to average 24.0 points and 10.0 assists per game—averages last achieved by Michael Adams in 1990-91, Tiny Archibald in 1972-73, and Oscar Robertson in 1966-67.
Next: The Leader of the Pack