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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after teammate center Enes Kanter (not pictured) during against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after teammate center Enes Kanter (not pictured) during against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (11/12/1988)
Experience: 9th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .423/.334/.822
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 31.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.8 ORPG, 10.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.1 3PM

After a five-day layoff, Russell Westbrook returned to making history this past week. He continues to pile up triple-doubles and has been earning his team a number of impressive victories in the process.

Westbrook may not be the most efficient scorer in the NBA, but one could easily argue that no contending player carries a heavier offensive burden than Westbrook.

Westbrook and the Thunder are nine games above .500 after securing wins over the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Maverick. He went off for 38 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals, one block, and three 3-point field goals during the 97-95 win over the 30-18 Jazz.

Westbrook then put up 27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one block, one steal, and four 3-point field goals made during a 114-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans—a historic performance.

https://twitter.com/demas6Basket/status/824634744059092993

In his first game since passing Bird, Westbrook torched the Mavericks for 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 shooting from distance.

As Westbrook continues to make statistical history and the Thunder move closer to a postseason appearance, it’s hard not to mention him as an MVP candidate. He may be inefficient, but don’t become jaded to the triple-double hype.

Westbrook is dangerously close to becoming the first player to average a triple-double over the course of a full season since 1961-62.

Must Read: Every team's Mount Rushmore

It was mere months ago that the general consensus was that no one would ever average a triple-double again.