NBA Draft: Re-drafting the 2008 NBA Draft’s first round

#1 Pick – Chicago Bulls: Russell Westbrook (Originally: Derrick Rose)

Westbrook has had the clear best career out of every player in this draft and continues to be a dominating presence in the league.

He is the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double throughout an entire season and took home MVP honors that same year. Westbrook has received an All-Star nod nine times and has made an All-NBA team on eight occasions in his career.

Russ was initially taken with the fourth pick in the draft to the Seattle Supersonics, who later transitioned into the Oklahoma City Thunder six days after drafting Westbrook. There was slight confusion around the idea of drafting Westbrook over Kevin Love as the first UCLA Bruin to come off the board, but as he has proven in many drafts, Sam Presti made the correct call.

Westbrook stayed loyal to Oklahoma City for 11 seasons before being traded to Houston this past offseason.

He continues to dominate the league and looks to be an All-Star for a few more years to come. His athleticism has only gotten stronger with age, and his quickness is almost unmatched.

Westbrook receives a lot of flack from NBA fans, due to his aggressive style of play. People like to say stuff along the lines of him being a bad teammate, but all signs lean toward the idea of Russ being well-liked and respected.

There are times where it might be difficult to play with Westbrook. Watching him jack up countless threes while you stand open in the corner, or cutting down the lane and not getting the ball could get irritating.

Nevertheless, Westbrook continues to be the best player with the best career in this draft, earning him the No. one overall pick.