Making the Case For Russell Westbrook As an NBA All-Star Starter
By Jared Doyle
@outofboundsjay
Mark D. Smith- USA Today Sports
This hasn’t been the season the Oklahoma City Thunder envisioned. Injuries have really robbed this team of being the elite franchise in the West many thought they could become. Kevin Durant’s prolonged absence in particular has become an Achilles heel for this team. The only real positive out of all of this has been the sustained superstar-like play of Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook has carried this team on his shoulders this year; there is no denying that. His productivity and efficiency have also gone through the roof this season, currently averaging 28.0 points (career high), 5.7 rebounds (ties career high), 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals (career high) on 47 percent shooting from the field (career high). Westbrook is averaging these numbers while playing a near career low in minutes per game at 31.8. If this doesn’t scream All-Star starter, I don’t know what does.
When looking at all of the point guards out West, Westbrook is absolutely at the top of the list. His only competition for the starting spot is Chris Paul (18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.4 assists), Steph Curry (22.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists) and Damian Lillard (21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists). Although Westbrook’s team has the worst record amongst his competition, he has been playing as the lone offensive force in the Thunder’s starting lineup, whereas Paul, Curry and Lillard have had plenty of help from other starters on their respective teams.
When Durant returns, expect the Thunder to ascend back to the top of the Western Conference. Westbrook has been the steadying force for the Thunder franchise so far this season and absolutely deserves a chance to be the starting point guard in the NBA All-Star Game.
Jared Doyle is a Miami Heat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @outofboundsjay, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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