WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/9/17)
Oklahoma City Thunder Point Guard Russell Westbrook (29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals)
We are now two-thirds of the way through the NBA season, and Russell Westbrook is still on track to make history. Through 54 games, he is still averaging a triple-double with 30.9 points (leads the league), 10.5 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Last night, in a high caliber showdown with LeBron James and the Cavaliers, Westbrook delivered his 26th triple-double of the season, which ties Oscar Robertson for the third most ever in a season. Westbrook put up 29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 steals to lead the Thunder to a big 118-109 win on their home floor over the defending champs. The Thunder continue to hold steady in the Western conference playoff picture. They are currently 31-23 and would be the #7 seed if the season ended today.
We have been down this road with Westbrook before. It may sound like a broken record considering how often this man puts up triple-doubles, but what he is doing is nothing short of spectacular. Sure, he draws his fair share of criticism, whether it be from shooting too much, turning the ball over, or sometimes disappearing on defense in search of rebounds. But Westbrook is carrying a team and a city on his back. He has kept the franchise from completely falling to pieces following Kevin Durant’s surprise departure to the Bay Area last summer. And despite being snubbed from the All-Star starting lineup, Westbrook has not missed a beat. Speaking of that Durant fellow, Westbrook will have a chance to get some revenge on Saturday night when KD makes his first return back to OKC. That will definitely be quite the spectacle and a matchup nobody will want to miss.
