Russell Westbrook (Part 3)

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10 Mar 2024

Russell Westbrook (Part 3)

During the 2015-2016 NBA season, Russell Westbrook continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess alongside his teammate Kevin Durant. To kick off the season on October 30, 2015, both Westbrook and Durant showcased their offensive capabilities by each scoring 40 points against the Orlando Magic, setting an impressive tone for the season.
In January 2016, Westbrook received recognition for his outstanding performance as he was named the Western Conference co-Player of the Month for December, sharing the honor with his teammate Durant.
Westbrook's stellar play earned him a starting spot in his first NBA All-Star Game in 2016. He further solidified his All-Star status by earning his second All-Star Game MVP award, becoming the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright. In the game, Westbrook recorded 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals in just 22 minutes of play.

Throughout the regular season, Westbrook showcased his versatility and impact on the court by recording numerous triple-doubles. On March 22, he notched his 15th triple-double of the season and 34th of his career, surpassing the milestone set by legends like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.
In the playoffs, Westbrook played a crucial role in guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder past formidable opponents like the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. In the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder faced the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. Despite initially taking a 3-1 series lead with impressive performances from Westbrook, the Thunder ultimately fell short, losing the series four games to three and bowing out of the playoffs.

After Kevin Durant's departure in the off-season, trade rumors swirled around Russell Westbrook, whose contract was nearing its expiration in 2017. Despite the speculation, the Oklahoma City Thunder were determined to retain Westbrook and focused on negotiating a contract extension. On August 4, 2016, Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million extension with the Thunder, solidifying his role as the team's cornerstone.
Throughout the season, Westbrook dazzled fans and critics alike with his stellar performances, often recording triple-doubles and dominating games. On December 9, he notched his seventh consecutive triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking the longest streak since Michael Jordan achieved the feat in 1989.

Westbrook's clutch plays continued into the new year, including a game-winning jumper against the Utah Jazz on January 23, where he finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, securing his 22nd triple-double of the season. Just two days later, he surpassed Larry Bird with his 60th career triple-double.
In March, Westbrook set a career-high with 58 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but the Thunder fell short. However, he bounced back to tie Oscar Robertson's single-season record of 41 triple-doubles in April, before ultimately breaking the record with his 42nd triple-double in a thrilling victory against the Denver Nuggets.

Westbrook's historic season culminated in him becoming only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. He finished the regular season with impressive statistics and led the Thunder to a 47–35 record, securing the sixth seed in the playoffs.
Despite Westbrook's heroics, the Thunder faced a tough first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets. In Game 2, Westbrook erupted for 51 points, but the Thunder fell short. Despite another triple-double performance in Game 4, the Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs in a 4–1 series defeat.
Despite the playoff disappointment, Westbrook's remarkable season did not go unrecognized. On June 26, 2017, he was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first player from a team with fewer than 50 wins since 1982 to win the prestigious honor.

After a historic 2016–17 season, Russell Westbrook solidified his commitment to the Oklahoma City Thunder by signing a monumental contract extension on September 29, 2017. The five-year, $205 million deal, which began with the 2018–19 season, made Westbrook the recipient of the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history at the time, totaling six seasons and $233 million through 2022–23, with a player option for the final season.
The following season, Westbrook continued his dominance on the court, notching a triple-double in the Thunder's season opener against the New York Knicks on October 19. Playing alongside new All-Star teammates Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Westbrook contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in a resounding 105–84 victory.

Despite a slow start with an 8–12 record, the Thunder found their rhythm and improved to 20–15 after a convincing 124–107 win over the Toronto Raptors on December 27, with Westbrook leading the charge with 30 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds.
On March 13, 2018, Westbrook reached a historic milestone by recording his 100th career triple-double in a 119–107 win over the Atlanta Hawks, joining an elite group of players including Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Jason Kidd. He further showcased his versatility on April 9, securing his 25th triple-double of the season with 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 115–93 victory over the Miami Heat, helping the Thunder secure a playoff berth.

Westbrook concluded the season as the league leader in assists per game, averaging 10.3 assists, and earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. In the playoffs, Westbrook's heroics were on full display as he led the Thunder to a thrilling comeback victory against the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of their first-round series, scoring 33 of his 45 points in the second half. However, despite Westbrook's efforts, the Thunder were ultimately eliminated in Game 6, ending their postseason journey with a 4–2 defeat against the Jazz.