Player of the Day: Russell Westbrook

[Andre Roberstan]

Hello all,

As promised, I'm starting a Player of the Day series to tide us over through the long offseason. With weekend skips it should eat at least a little of the time leading up to training camp. Hope you guys enjoy.

SCHEDULE:
Aug 30: Russell Westbrook
Aug 31: Victor Oladipo
Sept 1: Steven Adams
Sept 2: Enes Kanter
Sept 5: Cameron Payne
Sept 6: Domantas Sabonis
Sept 7: Andre Roberson
Sept 8: Ersan Ilyasova
Sept 9: Alex Abrines
Sept 12: Ronnie Price
Sept 13: Anthony Morrow
Sept 14: Mitch McGary
Sept 15: Nick Collison
Sept 16: Josh Huestis
Sept 17: Kyle Singler
Sept 18: Training Camp Signings

So, for today we have the man, the myth, the legend, RUSSELL WESTBROOK.



http://www.nba.com/playerfile/russell_westbrook/
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html

27 years old
Drafted 2008 out of UCLA by the Seattle Supersonics
6'3"
200lb
5x All-Star
2x All-Star MVP
1x All-NBA First Team
4x All-NBA Second Team
1x NBA Scoring Champion
1x NBA All-Rookie First Team
1x 3rd-Team All Pac-10
1x Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year

Watch on YouTube

Lee Jenkins profile:

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/04/01/russell-westbrook-oklahoma-city-thunder-sports-illustrated

Questions for the upcoming season:

1: What sort of statline do you expect from him this season?
2: What sort of role will he play offensively and defensively?
3: Is the team built to correctly leverage his skillset? If not, what needs to be addressed?
4: How much do you want to see him dunk on KD's head?

And any others you care to mention.

[oken]

Bro is da king. He will still be the king in our eyes even he does not score a single dime but everybody knows he will. He just can't stop playing. He can be Stockton, Nash or a bully or 3-in-one if he really wants.

[Buffjones]

1: What sort of statline do you expect from him this season?
29 pts, 8.5 rebs, 9.7 ast, 2.3 stls, 0.8 blks, 43% fg, 85% ft, 36 mpg
2: What sort of role will he play offensively and defensively?
I'm hoping he doesn't try and "take over" each game. I do love his mid range pull up jumper though, thats a thing of beauty !!
3: Is the team built to correctly leverage his skillset? If not, what needs to be addressed?
The pieces are there, apart from a SF who can run with him who has the potential to knock down the 3
4: How much do you want to see him dunk on KD's head?
8000%

[Mr. E]

All right, people...

I am not someone who gambles on sports, but tonight I made a bet with a buddy that Westbrook would be the MVP of the upcoming season. I'm expecting him to go all God-Mode on the League!

Granted, the bet was for a bottle of scotch, but that's way more than I'd usually bet! I'm officially cheering for you guys every time you don't play Houston!

[bmurph128]

All right, people...

I am not someone who gambles on sports, but tonight I made a bet with a buddy that Westbrook would be the MVP of the upcoming season. I'm expecting him to go all God-Mode on the League!

Granted, the bet was for a bottle of scotch, but that's way more than I'd usually bet! I'm officially cheering for you guys every time you don't play Houston!

I second this.

I didn't make a bet, but I absolutely believe RW will win MVP this year.

And having gone through something similar, I am 100% behind OKC. They have been elevated to my 2nd favorite team, and I absolutely love watching Westbrook play basketball.

[NuggetsWY]

Mad respect to Westbrook for his handling of that obnoxious Sixers fan (glad he was ejected).
RealGM article today quotes Russell as saying he always keeps an even keel and I can see that.
Durrant chose to leave OKC, that's his right. Westbrook chooses to stay, that's his right. Different strokes for different folks. Some guys are looking for something different but congrats to OKC fans that Westbrook loves OKC enough to want to stay longer. Now, if only he weren't such a beast then a Nuggets fan could love him more. He has truly become one of my favorite players to watch.

[pelifan]

I love Westbook man