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NBA: 30 greatest playmakers in NBA history

By Jerran Anderson

(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

21. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

First, there was Oscar Robertson. Then, there came Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook became just the second player in league history to average a triple-double next to Robertson in 2016-17. As the unsung playmaker in Oklahoma City, he continues to defy the odds.

Westbrook filled up the stat sheet during the 2016-17 season, averaging a league-high 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game for the Thunder. He won the league’s MVP award that year as he led Oklahoma City to the sixth spot in the West.

Since then, he’s continued to produce a triple-double average, doing the same during the 2017-18 season. In 2018-19, he’s currently putting up 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game.

He’s been a triple-double machine since the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 NBA free agency. Westbrook currently ranks third all-time in league history in triple-doubles with 113. Oscar Robertson leads the way with 181.

Westbrook has nine triple-doubles so far for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018-19. He’s been dedicated in leading his team to wins. It’s shown as things continue to improve with him on the floor.

Now, the Thunder are playing to a different tune with Paul George helping things in the rotation. As it stands, Oklahoma City is 22-12 and third in the Western Conference standings. Westbrook is on his way to averaging a triple-double for his third straight season. While it remains meaningless to some, he’ll go down as a top playmaker when it’s all said and done.