Is Russell Westbrook a winner or just a stat hound?
Westbrook may be the most divisive player in the NBA today.
He’s a historic talent. In 2016-2017, after Kevin Durant bolted Oklahoma City to
ring shop in Golden State, Westbrook became the first player since Oscar
Robertson in 1961-1962 to average a triple-double. This past season, even after
Oklahoma City added some talent to take some of the burden off Westbrook, he
did it again. He has twice led the league in scoring and once in assists.
Even with a relatively poor shooting percentage, his
advanced stats are equally as strong. In 2016-2017, he had a PER of 30.6. Only 10
players have ever hit 30.0 in PER and they’ve done it a total of 20 times.
Westbrook twice has led the league in Box +/- and once in VORP.
And he’s already a winner. His teams have made the playoffs
eight of 10 seasons. He’s made one NBA Finals and his Thunder famously had the
Golden State juggernaut in a 3-1 hole in the 2015-2016 Western Conference
Finals before falling in seven games. So far, his teams have 61 percent of
their regular season games and 54 percent of their postseason games. Those are
better marks than Reggie Miller, who is lauded for being a clutch playoff
performer.
Much of his winning, though, was done with Durant. The past
two seasons, the Thunder have been solid enough to make the playoffs but then
easy outs. The better question isn’t if Westbrook is a winner, but instead can
he be a champion?
Westbrook is turning 30 and shows no signs of slowing down. His Thunder are now built around his talents. His 1-year and 5-year scores are already top 40. It’s a given Westbrook will eventually move into the top 40 and has a shot at top 25.
Westbrook is turning 30 and shows no signs of slowing down. His Thunder are now built around his talents. His 1-year and 5-year scores are already top 40. It’s a given Westbrook will eventually move into the top 40 and has a shot at top 25.
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Russell
Westbrook bio info
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Career
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2008-2018
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Games
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748
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Points
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23.0
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Rebounds
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6.6
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Assists
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8.2
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FG Pct.
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43.5%
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All-Star games
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7
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NBA MVPs
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1
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NBA Titles
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0
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Playoff seasons
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8
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Playoff games
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93
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Points
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25.5
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Rebounds
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6.9
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Assists
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7.8
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FG Pct.
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41.3%
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Hall of Fame
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Top 100
rankings
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Points
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Top 100 ranking
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1-year
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356.65
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38th
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5-year
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1,567.56
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31st
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10-year
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2,541.39
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42nd
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Career
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2,541.39
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84th
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Russell
Westbrook at his peak
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2015-2016
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Westbrook
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Top 5
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Points
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PER
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27.6
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28.20
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Win Shares
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14.0
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14.76
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Box +/-
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10.0
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9.54
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VORP
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8.3
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7.75
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Total Advanced Stats
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59.9
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60.25
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99.42
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Playoff PER
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26.9
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27.93
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Win Shares
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2.9
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3.33
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Box +/-
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11.7
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10.70
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VORP
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2.3
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2.03
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Total Advanced Stats
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43.8
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44.00
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99.55
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Reg. Season Win %
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68.75
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68.75
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Playoff Win %
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61.11
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61.11
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MVP Voting (75 points)
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486/1,310
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27.82
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Playoff MVP (25 points)
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0
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0
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Total Score
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356.65
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Westbrook’s 10 greatest seasons
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2015-2016
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356.65
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2016-2017
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352.47
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2013-2014
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289.57
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2012-2013
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285.41
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2011-2012
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283.46
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2010-2011
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263.11
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2017-2018
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245.55
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2009-2010
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229.04
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2014-2015
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178.61
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2008-2009
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57.51
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Career
winning percentage
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W
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L
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Pct.
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Regular Season
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457
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291
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61.10%
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Playoffs
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50
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43
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53.76%
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