The time of discussion for the best point guard has come, but the point of the discussion is to recognize a player who many thought did not fit his position.
Oklahoma City Point Guard Russell Westbrook has received constant criticism since entering the league in 2008 because his skillset seemed to be more of a shooting guard and of course he’s at the point. Also, he does not have a history for being the most distributive player at the one. However, MVP forward Kevin Durant’s recent absence on the court is becoming the Monta Ellis to Westbrook’s Steph Curry.
Since Westbrook’s return without Durant due to his ongoing foot injury, he has become the next…not LeBron…not Michael…not Magic…he is becoming the modern day Oscar Robertson of the NBA. During his second year in the league in the 1961-62 season, the Big O averaged a triple double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The Hall of Fame point guard also just missed averaging it again in 1963 with 9.9 rebounds, but the main point is he got triple doubles.
The former UCLA Bruin averages 27 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds and now has 10 triple doubles on the season. Now although his most recent one against the Miami Heat was withdrawn, bringing it back down to nine, after the league reviewed it and counted only nine rebounds, the fact that the NBA reevaluated his triple double is a statement in itself. The man gets triple doubles like you’re ordering burgers from Wendy’s; it’s ridiculous. But in case you were wondering how many triple doubles his co-All-Star buddy Durant has in his career…just six. Westbrook has made his case and his statement as one of the premier players in this league.
Westbrook is an obvious MVP candidate for the NBA this year alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry and James Harden. And in reality, the only issue that may stop him from getting that title is because his team is an eighth seed fighting to stay in the playoffs this late in the season.
Regardless, he still has made his case for the best point guard. Back when Robertson averaged this numbers, his rebounds and assists were either league-leading or tied for best in the league. Westbrook’s 27 points lead the league, and he is the only one of two players, alongside DeAndre Jordan, to be in the top five in three different categories, according to the stats on ESPN.com. Chris Paul does lead the NBA with 10 assists a game, but for someone who is also known for his steals, Westbrook bests him at that as well with 2.18 per game, which is second-best league-wide. And Steph Curry has been great this year, but he only has one top five category, which is also behind Westbrook, with 2.12 steals per game which is third-best.
No one has more responsibility on a playoff team than Westbrook does. He puts in work night in and out and is successfully keeping his team in that last playoff spot. Perhaps the meme that shows him staring at the MVP trophy with the words “soon” were an accurate prediction. Nonetheless, he has shown he is the best player at point guard when he has to take that much responsibility. It is a bitter-sweet moment for him, undoubtedly OKC fans must be wondering what it this team would be like if Westbrook and Durant could both be playing with the point guard this hot. But at this point in his career, he may have officially thrown all criticism to the way side and thrust himself to the top of the NBA.