Russell Westbrook (Part 2)

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9 Mar 2024

Russell Westbrook (Part 2)

After being selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, Russell Westbrook embarked on his professional basketball journey. However, shortly after the draft, the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and were rebranded as the Thunder. Westbrook officially signed with the team on July 5, 2008.
In his rookie season, Westbrook wasted no time making an impact. On March 2, 2009, he recorded his first career triple-double, showcasing his versatility on the court with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He joined a select group of rookies in the franchise's history to achieve this milestone, including Art Harris and Gary Payton. Throughout the season, Westbrook displayed his skills, averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. His performances earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and he finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Moving into his second season, Westbrook transitioned into a full-time starting role for the Thunder. He continued to elevate his game, averaging 16.1 points, 8.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Under his leadership, the Thunder experienced a remarkable turnaround, doubling their win total from the previous season and clinching a playoff berth with a 50–32 record. Despite being eliminated by the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, Westbrook's stellar play throughout the series, where he averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 3.2 steals, further solidified his status as one of the league's rising stars.

During the 2010-2011 NBA season, Russell Westbrook continued to establish himself as a premier talent in the league. On November 26, 2010, he exploded for a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers, showcasing his scoring prowess. Westbrook's stellar performance earned him a spot on the Western Conference reserve team for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star appearance.
Throughout the season, Westbrook put up impressive numbers, averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. His contributions helped the Thunder finish the season with a solid 55–27 record. However, they fell short in the Western Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champions, the Dallas Mavericks. Westbrook continued to shine in the playoffs, averaging 23.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game.

In the following season, 2011-2012, Westbrook once again earned a spot on the All-Star team, showcasing his consistency and impact on the court. He further solidified his status as a top-tier player by recording a career-high 45 points in a thrilling double-overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2012.
For the lockout-shortened season, Westbrook averaged 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. His stellar performance earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team for the second consecutive year. Westbrook played a crucial role in leading the Thunder to the NBA Finals for the first time since the franchise relocated. Despite their efforts, they ultimately fell short, losing to the Miami Heat in five games. Nonetheless, Westbrook's contributions were notable, including a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 4 of the Finals.

In the 2012-2013 NBA season, Russell Westbrook continued to showcase his talent and was once again selected for the NBA All-Star Game. Throughout the season, he maintained impressive stats, averaging 23.2 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the court.
Westbrook played a key role in leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs and securing the first seed in the Western Conference. However, their postseason journey faced a significant setback when Westbrook suffered a right knee injury during the second game of the playoff series against the Houston Rockets on April 25, 2013. The injury occurred when Rockets guard Patrick Beverley collided with Westbrook in an attempt to steal the ball. Despite the injury, Westbrook valiantly continued to play and even finished the game with 29 points.

Subsequent medical evaluations revealed that Westbrook had suffered a slight tear in his right meniscus, prompting him to undergo surgery on April 27, 2013. As a result, he was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs, dealing a significant blow to the Thunder's postseason aspirations.
Despite Westbrook's absence, the Thunder managed to defeat the Rockets in six games in the first round of the playoffs. However, they were unable to overcome the Memphis Grizzlies in the next round, falling to them in five games.
Despite missing a significant portion of the postseason due to injury, Westbrook's contributions throughout the season were recognized, as he was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third consecutive year.