Who is the one player in the NBA that you watch and cannot doubt he is giving it his all? Which player holds the edge and competitiveness we all miss from past eras? Who is also one of if not the most criticized player in the NBA today? That would just so happen to be Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is one of the best and most polarizing athletes in today’s NBA. He keeps eyes glued to a television in a way few can. Last season he made history by becoming the first player in 56 seasons to average a triple double.
This year he made history again. Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to average a triple double in back-to-back seasons. He should receive praise for accomplishing such a difficult feat.
However, in the wake of his achievement many dismiss his feat as merely “stat padding”. One could argue that most players in the NBA who stack up a lot of stats are guilty of this. Yet, Westbrook tends to find himself at the center of it.
Since the start of his career, his style of play has been the source of criticism. It is what some cite as the reason for Kevin Durant’s departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors.
While it may be a truthful assumption to a degree, Durant has said that he left to play in the Warriors’ culture and system. For years the Thunder’s lack of creativity on offense was under scrutiny.
A circumstance that led to former head coach Scott Brooks losing his job. While multiple parties played their role in Durant’s departure, Westbrook got most of the blame.
Two years later and his style of play is still what some maintain could be what leads to Paul George leaving Oklahoma City in free agency.
However, George has given no indication towards Westbrook’s play possibly being a reason for his exit in free agency. On the contrary, George was quick to praise Westbrook earlier in the year per ESPN:
“Russ is the reason why this decision is becoming even more easier to make, is the character Russ [has]. A stand-up guy, and he has his teammate’s back.”
His other teammate Carmelo Anthony did affirm the narrative that Westbrook steals rebounds per Royce Young and cbssports.com:
Carmelo Anthony on Russell Westbrook’s rebounding, if he “steals” rebounds and if the team cares or not: pic.twitter.com/rtkbAmQjaI
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 10, 2018
“Sometimes you want to fight him a little bit and push him out the way. For me it’s good … he’ll steal rebounds sometimes. Anytime when you have a guard like that who can come back and rebound the way that he does, cause we want to push the break, and when he gets it off the rebound he’s able to jump start the break and a lot of good things happen from that.”
Anthony also affirms the stat that the Thunder are better when Westbrook gets triple doubles. The Thunder are 20-5 this season when Westbrook gets a triple double per basketball reference.
Which means one could make the case that he is doing what he can to lead his team to wins more so than stat padding.
Now it would be naive to believe he does not care about his stats. Everyone does. Which is one of the reasons why Westbrook takes exception to his brand as a stat padder:
Russell Westbrook went off a bit on the idea he stat-pads rebounds: “If you don’t want it, I’m gonna get it. Simple as that.” pic.twitter.com/z7BstM154p
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 11, 2018
Averaging 25.4 points per game, 10.3 assists and 10.1 rebounds over the course of 82 games is something that should not be taken lightly. Put it into context.
Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double playing at a pace of 124.9 possessions per 48 minutes. Westbrook averaged one this season playing at a pace of 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes.
It is a testament to Westbrook’s unrelenting style of play on the court. No other player exerts the kind of energy Westbrook does game after game.
Which in the bigger picture makes sense as to why he is the only player to average one since 1961-62. He is the only player that puts out enough energy to do it over the course of 82 games. Let alone in back-to-back seasons.
If not just for one day, everyone should be taking this moment to congratulate and appreciate Westbrook.
A player bred from a past era which we may never see the likes of again. A player who is worth the price of admission every single night.
Thank you Russell, and congratulations on making history and for never cheating the game while doing it.
Brendan Abban is the owner and creator of brendanabban.com and hosts the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BAbban24 or email him via [email protected].
