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5 Reasons Why Russell Westbrook Can Average A Triple-Double

By Kyle Tomasi

Nov 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 132-129. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 132-129. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Brodie Is Lonely

In order for the Thunder to be successful, Westbrook has to be successful. After four-time scoring champ and MVP Kevin Durant took his talents to the Bay Area this past offseason, Westbrook needed to be “that guy.”

He took a lot of heat during the Durant-Westbrook days and seemed to get blamed for any failures the team was enduring while Durant was getting praised for any accomplishments. Now, he is that guy. He is blamed for any failures and is praised for any accomplishments.

The Thunder organization got some help this offseason when they signed Victor Oladipo to a four-year, $84 million contract. Oladipo fills part of the void that Durant left behind but it isn’t the one-two punch it used to be. Now it’s sort of the one-one and a half punch. Make sense? Perfect.

Rising star Steven Adams has also been helpful to Westbrook, but it’s next to impossible to replace “The Durantula.”

Having said all of this, it is very apparent that Westbrook has kind of been left alone on an island this season. He is forced to be a scorer. He is forced to rebound among the trees. He is forced to give the ball up and trust his teammates since he draws so much attention.

It’s no wonder that his stats are astonishing so far, but it’s not astonishing to think he can’t do it all season long.

Westbrook will be “the guy” in Oklahoma City for years to come and unless they can get some big time help around him, he might put up historic numbers in all major categories.

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