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5 Things To Watch For In The 2016-17 NBA Season

By Matthew Hallett

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates a basket and a foul against the San Antonio Spurs after scoring in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates a basket and a foul against the San Antonio Spurs after scoring in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. How Far Will The Rage Take Russell Westbrook And The Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov 21, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Russell Westbrook, from everything that I have watched and read does not seem to be overly pleased with Kevin Durant. My guess is that he might see the Durant decision to leave to go to Golden State as a personal insult.

It does not seem to take too much to make Westbrook mad and I think that he will turn this into a sporting war. The Oklahoma City Thunder are now, without a shadow of a doubt Russell Westbrook’s team. The contract extension that he signed over the summer, the incredible leadership that he has displayed. It all says to me one thing. Watch out NBA.

Must Read: 25 Best Player Ever For The Oklahoma City Thunder

Most teams will not be happy about playing Golden State, they have too many options and are simply a scary team. Russell Westbrook, however, will welcome the challenge and probably average 40-50 points and a triple double against the leagues best team on paper.

However, can Westbrook maintain this rage? Can he sustain the fire within all the way to June? My gut says that he and the rest of his Thunder teammates will surprise us and finish as high as fourth in the Western Conference, barring too many injuries of course.

One thing is for sure, when Russell Westbrook is on the court the entire NBA, and any rim in the building he is playing in had better watch out. Westbrook has a fire burning inside him and a level of talent which makes him scary for opposition defenders.