Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: Stars Getting Hot at Perfect Time

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 22
Next
Mar 22, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 4

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .455/.300/.814

Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 23.7 PPG, 10.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.3 3PM

No player is more demonstrative in their passion for the game of basketball than Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. The league’s resident triple-double king is not just productive and fun to watch; he’s on an all-time pace.

In just one month, Westbrook has six triple-doubles—the most since Michael Jordan in April of 1989, and Larry Bird in February of 1986.

Westbrook’s six triple-doubles in March are more than all but one other player has recorded during the entire 2015-16 regular season. Throw in the fact that Westbrook has three consecutive triple-doubles, as well as four in five games, and he’s clearly scorching hot.

More important than Westbrook’s six triple-doubles in March are the league-leading 15 he has in 2015-16.

Westbrook’s 15 triple-doubles are the most in a single season since Magic Johnson had 17 and Michael Jordan recorded 15 in 1988-89. Beyond the historical significance is the fact that the Thunder are a perfect 15-0 when Westbrook finishes with a triple-double.

He’s a polarizing player, but there’s only so much you can say to unbiasedly refute Westbrook’s greatness in 2015-16.

Next: Only Obstacle: Himself