Top 5 Russell Westbrook Triple-Doubles This Season
By Max Seng
4. Jan. 7, 2017 vs. Denver Nuggets: 32 points, 17 rebounds, 11 assists, 7-for-12 from 3
According to Basketball-Reference, Westbrook is the only player to have a 17-rebound game with seven made three-pointers in NBA history. Of course that’s an extremely specific stat line, but it encapsulates Westbrook’s versatility and unique skill set when he’s at his best. when his jump shot is falling, forget about it.
Of those 17 rebounds, five were offensive, generating five extra possessions for the Thunder against the Denver Nuggets they previously would not have had. Many of Westbrook’s seven three-pointers were from well beyond the line, with Russ lulling the defender to sleep with a slow hesitation dribble before using his jetpack to rise up above the defense.
The book on Westbrook, as is the case with most players through history with his atomic athleticism, is to let him shoot. When he’s hitting those shots you give him, what’s the plan then? That was the question for the Nuggets on this night as Westbrook put the game out of reach with a flurry of threes late in the game. When his violent game gets infused with elite shot-making from deep, even the best athletes in the world have to pray something gives.
Also, Russ three-pointer celebrations are the best celebrations.
