Russell Westbrook: The Triple Double Machine
Now with Kevin Durant out of the mix in OKC, Russell Westbrook is playing at a level that nobody probably thought was possible. Had it not been for the Oscar Robertson folktale of averaging a triple double for an entire season, I may have thought it was impossible to get those type of numbers. Westbrook is filling his stat line up with ease, and getting some wins behind those triple doubles as well. Right now he’s my MVP of this season. There is nobody as valuable to their respective team than Westbrook is to the Thunder. Once KD left for Golden State it was clear that it was either sink or swim for Westbrook. He’s definitely swimming, and might be doing so at a lifeguard level.
Coach Billy Donovan loves Westbrook and believes he can average a triple double. He thinks “The first thing about Russell, being around him, is he wants to win at the highest level. I think the second thing about him is amazing, being around him he’s extremely bright and he’s smart and he’s got a great feel. And the third thing is he’s very, very well prepared. I think a lot of times what people can look to or point to is when you have Serge [Ibaka] leaving and obviously Kevin leaving is this idea that maybe Russell now takes over more, and I think that he really understands that he’s got to make everybody around him better”.
The first thing about Russell, being around him, is he wants to win at the highest level -Billy Donovan
The NBA usually gives the award to the best player on a top team. It would be a stretch for him to actually win the award because the Thunder aren’t considered a top ranked team in the west this year. The fact is that Westbrook is an extraordinary talent who can make a team better by his work ethic alone. He averages more rebounds than most forwards and centers and just gets it done around the board.
Look for Russell to push his team right after the all star break. OKC really needs to keep pace with the mid tier teams in the west and solidify a playoff spot. Westbrook seems to have full support from the OKC coaching staff.
I think the second thing about him is amazing… maybe Russell now takes over more, and I think that he really understands that he’s got to make everybody around him better. -Billy Donovan
It seems to be too easy for Russell to drop a triple double. Not only does he have triple doubles but he does so in dramatic fashion. He is accumulating these triple doubles at the expense of no one. The team pretty much expects this of him. Every game Westbrook is expected to carry his team to victory. Those are some lofty expectations of him but he doesn’t mind the pressure. In fact he plays better when the pressure is on him. With James Harden at his heels for the MVP I’m going to look forward to seeing how this will play out.