Russell Westbrook (OKC) – “Russ”

Profile:
Point Guard: 6’3, 200 lbs; 10th year, UCLA
NBA Role: all-world superstar • DIFF. BREED
Russell Westbrook: top-flight lead guard, perennial MVP candidate, OKC’s undisputed franchise player – can Russ add NBA Champion to his resume?; let’s start here: Westbrook is THE most athletic PG of all time – it’s evident w/ each blinding first step, (seemingly) impossible finish (in traffic) – remains a relentless attacker despite multiple knee surgeries; deadly from anywhere on the court – he’s got that superstar gene* only a few players possess – particularly when Westbrook decides he wants to score; an exceptional rebounder and playmaker (specializes in collapsing defenses and finding open teammates), Westbrook has very few weaknesses; still prone to turning the ball over and is vilified for poor shot selection but has a genuine, alpha mentality; does not understand what it means to take a game off or play lax • insatiable hunger to win, wants to destroy you in the process**; the next (& greatest) leap of Russ’s career? – winning a title as leading man
*pick your poison – for instance, Westbrook is a career 30% shooter from beyond the arc – but guess what? I’m never purposely leaving him open & you shouldn’t either – superstars have a way of taking over games even if one particular area isn’t a strong suit
**AVG. a triple-double in ’16-’17 (32, 11 & 10!)
Signature Move: euro step • layup
(*factory setting*) NBA 2K17 Rating: 93
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Couple DOG Facts:
Career: 22.7 points/game, 7.9 assists/game, 6.2 rebounds/game, 43% FG
Olympic Gold Medalist (2012)
6x All-Star (Last: 2017)
ASG MVP (’15, ’16)
2x All-NBA First Team (’16-’17)
More on “Russ”
- “How Durant Has Cemented Westbrook’s Legacy” (DOG Original, Aug. 2016)
- “Superstar THAT” – Russell “Not A Superstar” Westbrook (systematically) picks apart DAL in last year’s Quarterfinals (via FreeDawkins; Apr. 2016):
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