Second-greatest player in the history of each NBA franchise

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Greatest Player: Kevin Durant

Russell Westbrook might have been taken fourth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2007, but nobody could see this future coming with questions regarding his raw talent and ideal position.

Luckily for Russ, he wasn’t alone, instead, comprising a dynamic young trio alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden. A perennial All-Star by year three, Westbrook helped the Thunder reach the 2012 Finals and would keep them in contention in the years to follow, even after the trading of Harden.

It was following the free-agent departure of Durant in 2016, however, where a new version of the ferocious point guard emerged.

Always having to share the load, OKC’s offense belonged entirely to him, and he made sure to make the most of it in ways nobody else had.

It began in 2016-17 with the most triple-doubles in a single season, only the second-triple double average in NBA history — not seen since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 — and an MVP trophy for Westbrook after nearly single-handedly keeping OKC’s playoff streak alive.

From that point on, Russ made triple-doubles his standard of play, averaging one in each of the next two seasons.

The playoff success wasn’t there in KD’s absence — the Thunder suffered three straight first-round exits — but Westbrook’s loyalty and effort never wavered.