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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to a call in action against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to a call in action against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Award: All-NBA First Team

Last Rank: No. 4

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .460/.294/.825

Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 24.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 7.6 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.2 3PM

Both athletically and statistically speaking, there is no player more explosive than Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. He flirts with a triple-double on a nightly basis, dominates the passing lanes, and has improved his efficiency from the field.

Westbrook’s latest exploit is simply on another level.

Before Westbrook, no player had recorded 25 points, 20 assists, and 10 rebounds in a single game since Magic Johnson on November 28, 1988—almost 30 years ago.

That one game isn’t the only example of Westbrook pursuing and nearly attaining history. His season averages of 24.1 points, 10.5 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals clearly pop off the page, but not many have acknowledged how historic they are.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Westbrook is on pace to be the first player in NBA history to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.

Steals were first recorded as an official NBA statistic in 1973-74, but the point stands. Westbrook is playing at a level that’s comparable to just two iconic legends: Johnson and Oscar Robertson.

Per Basketball-Reference.com, Westbrook would be the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.5 rebounds since Johnson in 1988-89 and Robertson in 1965-66.

Next: The Closer