With 8:07 left to play in last nights game against the Pacers, Russell Westbrook sat on the bench with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists - his 6th career 20/20 game. He ended the night with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 21 assists - the first stat-line of its kind in NBA history and his 157th career triple-double. These 2K-like numbers are something we have got used to and have earned Westbrook numerous All-Star appearances and the league MVP in 2017. However, Westbrook\"s very production of these video game-like numbers is the driving reason behind why he will become one of the greatest ringless NBA legends of all time.
Drafted in 2008 with the 4th pick, Westbrook\"s elite athletism is what drew the OKC Thunder to him, and at 6\"4" he truly defined the rise of the modern-day point day point guard. In his early years in OKC, he helped form the infamous big three of Westbrook, Durant and Harden, a team that could never quite win together but would each go on to have MVP worthy seasons. All 3 players were ball-dominant and there just wasn\"t enough points to go around and ultimately ended in their inevitable defeat to LeBron\"s Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals.
After the controversial trades of Harden to Huston in 2012 and Durant to Golden State in 2017, Westbrook was expected to carry the team from then on. On paper, this seemed a great idea and for Westbrook, it played out perfectly. In his first season as commander and chief, he became the first player to average a triple-double over a season since Oscar Robertson in 1962. He would replicate this accomplishment in the following 2 seasons - a completely monumental personal achievement. However, there was a catch.
In the 3 years when Westbrook averaged his video game-like stat lines, the Thunder saw early first-round playoff exits to the Rockets (2017), the Jazz (2018), and the Trail Blazers (2019) - winning a grand total of 4 playoff games and losing 12.
Westbrook\"s inability to win in the playoffs is due to two main facts. The first is that despite his ability to produce on the stat sheet, he lacks the ability to inspire and lead others. It\"s a well-known sporting fact - a championship is won by a team, not an individual and I guess someone just didn\"t give Westbrook the memo?
His ball dominance and usage rate are among the highest in the league and although it can produce some truly great stat-lines, it can also send his team to an early grave.
The second fact is his greatest downfall - his ego. In his time at OKC, Westbrook mostly played backup to Kevin Durant, who most argue is the greatest scorer of all-time. Now as an MVP and Hall of Fame candidate himself, Westbrook won\"t accept help or assistance in getting to that elusive title as he probably sees it as a weakness - a smudge on his legacy that has claimed the careers of both his former team-mates (Durant and Harden).
I think it\"s fairly clear at this point, Westbrook isn\"t winning his ring anytime soon, especially now that he is at the Wizards. But, never mind, maybe he\"ll get one as a veteran? Unfortunately, this also doesn\"t seem likely. Westbrook\"s claim to fame as an NBA player and as an athlete is his elite explosiveness. As he ages and his athleticism continues to deplete, there are minimal roles that franchises can open up for players like Westbrook. It\"s no secret that he has never been the best shooter, so for a league that is continually moving the 3-point limits further back, it\"s hard to see any scenario in which Westbrook stays around in his later years.
There\"s no question, Westbrook deserves an NBA title. But then again, so did Stockton and Malone. Sadly, he is destined to join a long line of ringless NBA players who despite producing to a world-class level, will never reach the heights of an NBA Champion and will be dismissed quickly during any discussions involving top 10 lists. But in better news, Westbrook might just make number one on one list in particular - the best ringless NBA player ever. I know, it\"s not really the list you want to be on, but I guess everyone has got to be known for something, right?
Nice champ !!
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