Russell Westbrook has experienced the ups and downs of an NBA career.
The triple double machine is playing in his 13th season after being drafted 4th overall in 2008.
He has been an MVP; playing at the highest level possible.
He has also suffered tremendous heartbreak.
The only thing Russ has not experienced however, is winning an NBA championship.
He has been on the cusp of making it to the finals on multiple occasions; falling just short.
During his first couple of years on the OKC Thunder, alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden, he made an appearance in the finals on a losing effort.
That finals loss was supposed to be the beginning of a Thunder dynasty that never came to fruition.
He was the last man remaining out of that young big 3 to stay with OKC, but he could never push them over the top.
This led to a stop in Houston; reuniting with Harden.
In Houston, the same story of losing in the playoffs occurred.
Now Russ is in Washington and is almost labeled as damaged goods to the NBA world.
His days as an elite player might be behind him, but he is only 32 years old.
The chance of winning a title is still present, but can he do it is the real question?
Yes, He Will Win One Day
The weird thing about Westbrook and his “prime”, is that his numbers on first glance are absurd.
Russell Westbrook last 15 games:
22.8 PPG
13.6 RPG
12.5 APGHe leads the league in assists and is 2nd in rebounds in that span. pic.twitter.com/K4o4BQi4Ej
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 13, 2021
For the 4th time in 5 years, Russ is averaging a triple double.
This feat seemed impossible 5 years ago, but Westbrook has changed that narrative.
His athleticism might have diminished over time, but he is still a freak of nature.
Westbrook going downhill is still a scary sight for opposing defenses.
The shooting has been on a decline each and every year, but when he is put in a legit system that can play on his strengths, he and his team thrives.
He has shown the capability to play in high pressure situations.
Furthermore, he has shown that he is not scared of any moment.
That tough, hard nose guy that teams want to go to war is what Russ truly is.
He can be the ultimate heart and soul of a title team.
Could he be frustrating at times?
Yes, but you can never question the effort that man displays.
No, He Will Never Win
Russell Westbrook might go down as one of the most frustrating players in NBA history.
When it comes to Russ; you have to take the good with the bad.
Depending on the day, the bad might show up in a very alarming way.
Throughout his time in OKC, there were moments of him just doing too much.
Russell Westbrook having to be the bad guy in Kevin Durant and James Harden’s story is sad..
— JadedKris (@_kmkeaton) April 10, 2021
He was never shy on the big stages, but he wasn’t controlled during them either.
His current situation isn’t the best as well.
He is on a Wizards team with no hopes of making the playoffs this year, let alone winning a championship.
The Wizards are not a team set up for a great deal of success in the future.
Unless he is miraculously traded in the off-season, he is stuck with this franchise due to his loaded contract.
The triple doubles look so great, but the numbers never translate to wins however.
By the time his contract is up, he will be 35 years old.
Russ at 35 years of age can be a sad sight to see.
He is a player built off of athletic prowess, but after several lower body injuries over the last couple of years, the ability to adapt seems unlikely.
If he wants to win, then something needs to be changed.
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