Russell Westbrook possesses the type of ferocity that most coaches love to see in a player. Whether he’s having a great game or is in a slump, he is always confident in his ability to make a play. There have been several critiques sent his way, especially over the last few years as he has jumped from team to team, but when the 2017 NBA MVP is on, he is on.
At the beginning of his career, he had the gift and curse of playing alongside Kevin Durant on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The duo had high expectations and weren’t able to win the ring many people believed that they could. However, while KD was the consensus best player on the team, Brodie continued to elevate every season to the point where he almost single-handedly lead OKC to the playoffs in 2015 when Durant was hurt.
Though he has played alongside stars like James Harden, Paul George, and Bradley Beal, who many may consider better than him, Russ has been the engine for teams. He willed his way to becoming the NBA’s all-time leader for triple-doubles and had four seasons where he averaged a triple-double in points, rebounds, and assists. Say what you will now, but his resume is Teflon. As Westbrook prepares to celebrate his 35th birthday, join VIBE as we look back on his top eight “I’m Him” moments.
“20-20-20*”
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The Hip-Hop community — and the world at large — were just days removed from the tragic loss of Nipsey Hussle. Westbrook, who was born in Long Beach, Calif., had a lot of love for the late rapper and paid homage to him with a monster stat line of 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 21 assists. He became the second player ever to record such a game, following in the footsteps of Wilt Chamberlain.
Upon grabbing his 20th rebound, Russ could be seen beating his chest and yelling “That’s for Nipsey!” This was a reference to Nipsey being a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, which he addressed in the post-game interview when asked what he meant when yelling that out. Though his stat line added up to the number 61, it was close enough and he knew Nip would be appreciative of his tribute performance on the court. Not to mention, he did this in Los Angeles against the Lakers and got the victory.
MVP Season Kickoff
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People immediately deemed the Oklahoma City Thunder hopeless when Kevin Durant departed for the powerhouse Golden State Warriors. Russell Westbrook, in the words of Michael Jordan from The Last Dance documentary, “took that personally.” He had already become a triple threat on the court in terms of scoring, rebounding, and passing, but now could have the ball in his hands more often.
He kicked off the 2016-2017 NBA season with a 51-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist performance against the Phoenix Suns. The stellar showing put him in the history books as the first player since Kareem Abdul Jabbar to record a 50-point triple-double and the Thunder secured the victory over the Suns in overtime after being down by 18 points. This, of course, would lead to Russ averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career, leading the Thunder to a 6th seed, and winning the MVP award.
Playoff History Maker
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Russ rallied the Thunder to a playoff berth, but met a difficult challenge in the Houston Rockets led by his former, and again, future, teammate James Harden. In Game 2, Russ notched a 51-point, 10-rebound, and 13-assist triple-double, becoming the first player in NBA playoff history to record a 50-point triple-double. He is still the only player to do so.
His scoring output set an OKC playoff franchise record and his 13 assists were the most ever by a player with 40 points or more in a playoff game. OKC, unfortunately, lost the game and the series, but Russ created a lane for himself in the history books that have yet to have anyone join him to this day. Brodie stands alone.
Again, But Even Bigger
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You know, this article might as well just be titled “Russell Westbrook‘s Various Historic Triple Doubles” because the fact he has made a variety of history with the impressive stat line is unprecedented.
Here we are again.
The Thunder were on the brink of securing their playoff spot in 2017 and Russ ensured that they would with a 57-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist outing.
This, at the time, became the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history. Russ’ dominance allowed the OKC Thunder to roar back from a 21-point deficit against the Orlando Magic and win the game in overtime, clinching their birth into the playoffs in their first season without Kevin Durant. What a monster.
Breaking Records And Playoff Dreams
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In 1962, NBA legend Oscar Robertson set a record with 41 triple-doubles in the regular season. That means, in an 82-game season, that he posted double figures in three categories for exactly half of a season. It seemed like a record that nobody would ever come close to, but Russell Westbrook is not just anybody.
In the final game of the 2016-2017 regular season, when Brodie was already an MVP favorite, he made history by recording his 42nd triple-double against the Denver Nuggets. His 50-point, 16-rebound, and 10-assist night was capped off by hitting a game-winning three-pointer while the Thunder were down by two points. Not only did he secure his place in the record books, but he effectively eliminated the Nuggets from playoff contention.
“Execution”
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Russell Westbrook has countless memorable moments on the court, but he has delivered almost as many in press conferences or other interactions with reporters. His distaste for the media — who often ask odd or obvious questions — has been apparent, reaching a point in 2015 where he went full troll. Coming off of a 17-point, 17-assist, 15-rebound night in January 2015, the superstar wasn’t interested in giving lengthy replies.
As reporters continually asked him about specific aspects of the game, he would simply answer “Execution” or “We did a good job executing.” As one reporter caught on, he asked Russ if he was upset about something. Westbrook simply replied, “No, I just don’t like you.” That same reporter then asked if Brodie didn’t like a man named Nick, to which he replied “I love Nick, but I don’t like you.”
After the back-and-forth, he got right back to answering questions with “Execution.” It is some of the funniest content you could ever watch.
“What?!”
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Russell Westbrook may sometimes go into his media interactions expecting the worst, but given situations like his post-game interview in 2013, it is understandable. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Utah Jazz and a reporter asked him a pretty dumb question: “Russ, did you guys lose this game or did the Jazz win this one?”
Westbrook’s reaction became a meme that is used to this day. With the most hilarious, confused face ever he asked “What?! Bro, what are you talking about, man? Bro, I’m out, man. Y’all ni**as trippin’.” He turned to his locker as the interview ended and punctuated a moment that will last forever. Never change, Russ.
Torching Charlie Villaneuva And Mark Cuban
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Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were a dynamic duo on the court, but their mettle on the microphones couldn’t be questioned, either. The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the 2016 NBA Playoffs with a 4-1 gentlemen’s sweep of the Dallas Mavericks and the two had something to say to their owner Mark Cuban and player Charlie Villanueva following Game 5.
First, the media asked Westbrook about the Mavericks’ owner’s claim that he wasn’t a star, to which KD stepped up for him and called Cuban an “idiot.” Afterwards, they brought up some jaw-jacking between Russ and Villanueva.
“Before the game, [when] you were out waiting for the opening tip, Charlie Villanueva came out and sort of lingered behind you for a second,” the reporter said. “Did you know why he was back there and did he say anything?”
Russ dismissively replied, “Yeah, he said a lot.” KD added “He’s an idiot too” before Russ finished his statement. “He was there but now he gets to go home and do whatever he needs to do. Get ready for next year to sit down and watch more 82 more games like he did this year.” Durant punctuated the vicious statement with “Might not even be in the league.” Ah, what a time.
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