Russell Westbrook
 

averaging a triple double

Checked him out with a very critical eye.
I was surprised/impressed by how well he is passing the ball.
Genuinely playing great basketball.

The one thing I can find to quibble over, is the lack of general competition among teammates for defensive rebounds. Most teams have Forwards and Centers grabbing more defensive rebounds.

First the 'negative' thinking - Will opposing teams/players who really crash the offensive boards, out-rebound Westbrook?
(Statistically in a small sample using caveman stats, OKC actually rebounds relatively well as a team this season). Still a potential matchup issue.

Positive thinking - He grabs the rebound and is immediately in 'attack mode' with 5 players threatening the defense. His Triple Double games have a few assists and buckets going 'coast to coast'. Defenses have to constantly respect that.

Westbrook has improved his 3 point shooting this year as well. So important.

A little bit of an odd comparison, but his passion and energy right now remind me of Dennis Rodman, only at a skill position.

We are looking at a legitimate MVP candidate.

The Thunder have designed their rebounding to be a team game. The bigs box out and the others crash hard. It has worked for them for years, no one player being a big rebounder but the team high up in the NBA team rankings. Westbrook gets so many because he is a superior athlete.

He is a joy to watch this year. I feel like every home game, win or lose, I get value for my entertainment dollar.

He's the most entertaining player in the league right now.

Been hearing for a couple years that Westbrook may be the best athlete in any sport right now.

Hard to really disagree. His speed, jumping ability and power is unbelievable. Add in his unbelievable will and it is hard to imagine a better athlete.

4 in a row?
 

vs Washington , tonight 8pm EST

I'm looking forward to giving Scott Brooks a big ovation tonight. He was great for OKC even if he probably stayed a year too long IMO. He has his flaws as a coach like they all do, but he is a great person that is missed.

Russ played well last night but just couldn't get anything to drop, mostly in the paint where is usually money. Looked like it was going to be a "bad game" triple double. Then, he hit the game tying three late and simply exploded in overtime.

The point guard did everything, including a huge rebound - putback late in the 4th and another one early in OT that totally demoralized Washington. He simply does things no other player can dream of doing.

Was a really nice welcome back for Brooks. OKC fans gave him all the respect he deserved and more. I just hope they don't do that for KD. :) I know I won't.

Sunday is going to be fabulous, get to see Russ and The Brow on the same floor. An argument could be made they are the two best players in the game right now.

if i'm reading correctly, the Brow has never had a career Triple Double?, but has put up some awesome stat-stuffing games:


36/14REB/9BLOCKS/7ASSISTS (1 block , 3 assists away from a quadruple-double...)
25/10REB/4BLK/6STL/4ASSTS
28/10REB/4BLK/4STL/4ASSTS
39/13REB/8BLOCKS
26/17REB/9BLOCKS (1 block away from 3D!)
59/20REBS

Last guy I remember capable of those type of stats was a prime Hakeem Olajuwon.

A little tough for him to get 10 assists, probably the blocks is the way to go. I remember Serge Ibaka getting a triple double with blocks for the Thunder.

5 in a row after the win tonight.

28pts 17REBs 12Assists

not the most efficient 3D in history (10 turnovers, and only 1 Offensive Rebound)

still, he has been putting on a show, and winning.

5 in a row is a LOT of 3Ds!

nba record = Wilt the stilt Chamberlain: 9 in a row

up next = Oscar Robertson, MJ's : 7 in a row

I would guess half those turnovers were not Russ's fault, but I'd have to watch again. He was the best player on the floor last night as usual. Davis is special but needs help since he doesn't control the ball.

I haven't seen enough of Davis.
My impression is that he isn't a 'Shaq', that rare big that carries a franchise between his dominance, and the media/advertisement dollar and excitement that drives situations where a contending team 'must' be built around him.

Those 'Brow' numbers are some Hakeem-like stats at times and the 'Dream' was a HOF player with a few years of that kind of dominance.


Good test tonight, For Westbrook and OKC 7:30ET at Atlanta
Hawks are favored by 3...