NBA Player Power Rankings: Change of the Guard

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 4

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .460/.305/.816

Season Averages: 34.6 MPG 24.0 PPG, 10.4 APG, 7.5 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Statistically speaking, a case could be made that no player does more for their team than Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. Having swallowed much of his pride to learn to play for efficiency, Westbrook is having an all-time season.

Whether he’s scoring, facilitating, crashing the boards, or ball-hawking, Westbrook is doing it all at an elite level.

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 per game. He’s in a war to lead the league in steals, and is on pace to average a double-double as a point guard.

Take away the steals, which were introduced as an official statistic in 1973-74, and Westbrook is still in rare company.

Westbrook would be the first player to average at least 20.0 points 10.0 assists, and 7.5 rebounds since Magic Johnson in 1988-89. Before Johnson, it hadn’t been done by anyone since Magic Johnson in 1965-66.

How much more evidence do you need that Westbrook is on a Hall of Fame pace?

Next: The Closer