Russell Westbrook Is NBA Mr. Triple Double: MVP Award Already In The Bag For Oklahoma City Thunder Superstar? Watch 2016 Highlights [Video]
Now, how do you stop a seemingly unstoppable force in Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook? As the opposing teams continue to have matchup nightmares trying to contain the man possessed, coach Billy Donovan of the Thunders offers a sound advice.
"If I had to guard him?" Donovan said to NBA.com. "I'd probably get to a local church and say a few prayers and get some help from the good Lord."
Russell Westbrook is the NBA King When it Comes to Triple Double
Russell Westbrook is now a class of his own, sharing a feat only with the G.O.A.T Michael Jordan, after notching his seventh triple-double in succession. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, on a losing cause, in their game Friday night against the James Harden-led Houston Rockets.
His numbers tell the story. So far, Russell Westbrook has posted season averages of 31 points, close to 11 boards, and just as many assists on a nightly basis. It speaks highly of the amount of energy and the focus that the Oklahoma City Thunder guard brings every game to compete at such a high level.
But, is Russell Westbrook too concern of his numbers and being selfish in the process? That has always been the criticism for players trying to simply stuff their sheets--- that all they care about is their personal stats.
The Man on a Mission Is Leading The Race For The NBA MVP Honor
Currently, Russell Westbrook is leading the KIA Race for the NBA 2016-2017 Most Valuable Player plum. And, it's not just because there's a good chance he'll get a triple double in a game than not. He currently has 12 games this season where he recorded a triple-double as compared to the 11 games where he failed to do so.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's court general is able to translate the huge numbers into wins. In all of Russell Westbrook's triple double this season, the Thunders won nine games, losing only three with a margin of just 3 points or less, according to ESPN. The team is currently at 14 and nine, enough for the sixth spot in the standings.
That's more than what most people have given Russell Westbrook and the team credit for after the former alpha dog Kevin Durant ditched them last summer for the Golden State Warriors. Russell Westbrook wasn't being selfish, as well, leading not only the Oklahoma City Thunder but the league in assists per game, alongside James Harden.
"It is pretty special," says Russel Westbrook's teammate and Oklahoma City Thunder big man Nick Collison. "And it would be different if he was out hunting these statistics. Guys can do that. But he's really not. He's really just playing the game. And that's what's best about it."
