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Triple Double King Russell Westbrook Appreciation Thread.

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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#121 » by FAH1223 » Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:37 am



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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#122 » by FAH1223 » Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:15 am

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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#123 » by FAH1223 » Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:01 pm

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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#124 » by pcbothwel » Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:24 pm

It is safe to say that Russ is here for the following 1.5 years minimum.
- Beal clearly loves the guy and playing with him
- The young guys look up to him and there appears to be an uplift in energy. Teaching young guys how to be a day in/day out pro is essential
- He is very active in the community and is a box office attraction. After an entire year of no fans, im sure Ted is anxious to get people back in Verizon and recover cash flow.

Im fine with this. Run the Russ/Beal backcourt back again next year.
- If we fail, trade beal at the deadline and let Russ run amuck. Then look to move Russ at the following deadline in a continued rebuild.
- If they and our young guys break through, then Beal probably resigns and we continue on.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#125 » by jangles86 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:11 pm

It’s actually incredible how under appreciated this 2020-2021 Russell Westbrook season is by Wizards supporters. He is currently putting together one of the greatest raw statistical seasons in Wizards history.

Considering this... in Westbrook’s 13 NBA seasons he has been one of the highest usage players EVER. This season he isn’t even the highest usage player on this team! At 30.2 usage rate, this is currently his 3rd lowest usage rate of his career behind the first two seasons of his NBA career. At 34.3% Bradley Beal is currently 3rd in the league in usage. Westbrook is currently 14th in the NBA. (Wizards are the only team in the nba with X2 players in the top 15 for usage). Wizards are currently playing at the fastest pace in the NBA at 103. Wizards are currently the highest team in the league at 2 point field percentage.

Westbrook is currently on track to achieve his highest APG at 11apg and on track to join the only other wizards to lead the league in assists, Kevin Porter x2 (8apg) and Rod Strickland (10.5apg).

With 30 triple doubles he has more triple doubles in his first 55 games for the wizards then John Wall, Chris Webber, Wes Unseld, Gilbert Arenas, Bradley Beal, Rod Strickland ......COMBINED in their whole careers!

At 11.3 RPG Westbrook is currently grabbing more RPG then Moses Malone, Chris Webber, Marcin Gorat in any of thier seasons as a Washington Bullet/Wizard. Westbrook is currently 8th in league this season in rebounds. (For example grabbing more boards then players Jokic, Ayton, Adebayo, Randle).
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#126 » by Ruzious » Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:34 pm

Not sure I've ever seen someone match his energy and intensity. He never looks tired. And he's the best at feeding the post. Thank you, Russell Westbrook.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#127 » by doclinkin » Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:44 pm

doclinkin wrote:What I do like. In players like Deni and Bryant we have young fiery energetic guys who have a competitive nature. Fiery and competitive are Russ' forte. Any player who will get inspired by his attitude and effort may learn what it takes to be an alpha dog in this league at their position. Maybe he will light a fire under players like Rui on defense or Bonga on offense. In the weight room we may see players pushing to keep up.

As for fit, here Russ is surrounded by willing passers and outside shooters. We could stand to have another finisher or two as complementary players. If he chooses to pass instead of calling his own number, the expectation is that player better score with the same aggressive mindset, if not they may not see that ball again soon. Quick decisive moves may mean that "everybody eats" without having to pass the ball around deferentially, but instead twist the throttle and play uptempo. With a young team maybe we have the energy to run some teams off the floor.



He is for sure living up to my best hopes when we added him to the squad. And surpassing them. This year it seems like he has embraced leadership as one of his mandates. Not just to carry a team, but to encourage, teach, and uplift the younger players on his squad. Especially now that we have some finishers added (Len, Gafford) or developing (Hachimura) on the floor.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#128 » by FAH1223 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:45 pm


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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#129 » by pcbothwel » Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:04 pm

I posted this in GT, but Probably more fitting in here:
pcbothwel wrote:Most top PGs have a TOV% in the 12-14% range. Dame, Curry, CP3, etc.

Russ is at 18.7% and has had a TOV% lower than 13%, 13 times this year.
We are 10-3 in those games... against the Clippers, Nets, Lakers (Twice), Pacers, Celtics, etc.

This team can win against anybody of Russ can limit turnovers.

Dont want to oversell as Correlation =/= Causation... but even if Russ is ~50% TS, we can basically beat anyone over 7 games if he limits his turnovers.
Again, at his lows he single handedly loses games... but at his good (Not even best) he wins them. I still believe that Russ can string together 4 plus games in a 7 game series.

We are like baseball team heading into the playoffs below average at everything, except we have 2 AS caliber Starting pitchers capable of a hot streak.
If our defense can just be average, then we have two wild cards that can take over games. Russ & Bertans. Even if Russ and Beal are having off games, if Bertans has of his 15+ point, 80%+ TS games it can make up for lost possessions.

Also, we have solid big man rotation and 3 legit defensive wings in Rui, Hutch, and Bonga that we can throw at anybody. Dont be shocked if Rui ends up being the key cog in a playoff appearance because of his ability to lock down a wing man to man.
Getting into the playoffs and pushing the Nets to 7 games would be a great ride given where this team has been.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#130 » by JAR69 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:20 pm

jangles86 wrote:It’s actually incredible how under appreciated this 2020-2021 Russell Westbrook season is by Wizards supporters. He is currently putting together one of the greatest raw statistical seasons in Wizards history.

Considering this... in Westbrook’s 13 NBA seasons he has been one of the highest usage players EVER. This season he isn’t even the highest usage player on this team! At 30.2 usage rate, this is currently his 3rd lowest usage rate of his career behind the first two seasons of his NBA career. At 34.3% Bradley Beal is currently 3rd in the league in usage. Westbrook is currently 14th in the NBA. (Wizards are the only team in the nba with X2 players in the top 15 for usage). Wizards are currently playing at the fastest pace in the NBA at 103. Wizards are currently the highest team in the league at 2 point field percentage.

Westbrook is currently on track to achieve his highest APG at 11apg and on track to join the only other wizards to lead the league in assists, Kevin Porter x2 (8apg) and Rod Strickland (10.5apg).

With 30 triple doubles he has more triple doubles in his first 55 games for the wizards then John Wall, Chris Webber, Wes Unseld, Gilbert Arenas, Bradley Beal, Rod Strickland ......COMBINED in their whole careers!

At 11.3 RPG Westbrook is currently grabbing more RPG then Moses Malone, Chris Webber, Marcin Gorat in any of thier seasons as a Washington Bullet/Wizard. Westbrook is currently 8th in league this season in rebounds. (For example grabbing more boards then players Jokic, Ayton, Adebayo, Randle).


Also, there have been a total of 4 seasons in NBA history in which a player has averaged a triple-double: Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, and Westbrook in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19. Regardless of what you think of his WTF moments, turnovers, padded rebounding stats, etc., we are witnessing a genuinely historic season.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#131 » by tontoz » Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:47 pm

I always knew he played with intensity but when you see it day after day you appreciate it more. It is pretty clear it has rubbed off on the rest of the team.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#132 » by BearlyBallin » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:10 pm

JAR69 wrote:
jangles86 wrote:It’s actually incredible how under appreciated this 2020-2021 Russell Westbrook season is by Wizards supporters. He is currently putting together one of the greatest raw statistical seasons in Wizards history.

Considering this... in Westbrook’s 13 NBA seasons he has been one of the highest usage players EVER. This season he isn’t even the highest usage player on this team! At 30.2 usage rate, this is currently his 3rd lowest usage rate of his career behind the first two seasons of his NBA career. At 34.3% Bradley Beal is currently 3rd in the league in usage. Westbrook is currently 14th in the NBA. (Wizards are the only team in the nba with X2 players in the top 15 for usage). Wizards are currently playing at the fastest pace in the NBA at 103. Wizards are currently the highest team in the league at 2 point field percentage.

Westbrook is currently on track to achieve his highest APG at 11apg and on track to join the only other wizards to lead the league in assists, Kevin Porter x2 (8apg) and Rod Strickland (10.5apg).

With 30 triple doubles he has more triple doubles in his first 55 games for the wizards then John Wall, Chris Webber, Wes Unseld, Gilbert Arenas, Bradley Beal, Rod Strickland ......COMBINED in their whole careers!

At 11.3 RPG Westbrook is currently grabbing more RPG then Moses Malone, Chris Webber, Marcin Gorat in any of thier seasons as a Washington Bullet/Wizard. Westbrook is currently 8th in league this season in rebounds. (For example grabbing more boards then players Jokic, Ayton, Adebayo, Randle).


Also, there have been a total of 4 seasons in NBA history in which a player has averaged a triple-double: Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, and Westbrook in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19. Regardless of what you think of his WTF moments, turnovers, padded rebounding stats, etc., we are witnessing a genuinely historic season.


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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#133 » by DCZards » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:19 pm

What's impressed me most about Russ this season has been his clutchness. He can be having a terrible game turning the ball over and bricking shots but when it's close down the stretch he becomes a different, more focused animal.

He did it last night when the Lakers were making their fourth quarter run. First, Russ hits a big 3 with a little under 5 mins left and then follows that up a minute later with a drive to the basket for a 3 pt play.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#134 » by nate33 » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:19 pm

I still question whether the negatives from his inefficiency offset his positives in the counting stats, but I really had no idea how good he would be for the team culture. His effort is contagious. And he has been extremely clutch at the end of games, picking up the slack for when Beal gets tired and our offense too predictable.

His defensive versatility is also an underrated bonus. Westbrook's strength and rebounding has allowed us to get away with 3-guard lineups all season with minimal consequence defensively or on the glass.

Neto, for example, is a really good player in all respects except for his height. On most teams, it would be hard to get him minutes because he's not a natural PG and he can't defend bigger players. But on a team with Westbrook, he has the luxury of playing more like a SG on offense while guarding PG's on defense. Basically, Westbrook allows us to play Neto and reap the good things he provides, without suffering from his weaknesses.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#135 » by BearlyBallin » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:40 pm

nate33 wrote:I still question whether the negatives from his inefficiency offset his positives in the counting stats, but I really had no idea how good he would be for the team culture. His effort is contagious. And he has been extremely clutch at the end of games, picking up the slack for when Beal gets tired and our offense too predictable.

His defensive versatility is also an underrated bonus. Westbrook's strength and rebounding has allowed us to get away with 3-guard lineups all season with minimal consequence defensively or on the glass.

Neto, for example, is a really good player in all respects except for his height. On most teams, it would be hard to get him minutes because he's not a natural PG and he can't defend bigger players. But on a team with Westbrook, he has the luxury of playing more like a SG on offense while guarding PG's on defense. Basically, Westbrook allows us to play Neto and reap the good things he provides, without suffering from his weaknesses.


In my mind since we first traded Wall for Westbrook, his potential to change the culture of this team would determine who won the trade.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#136 » by tontoz » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:50 pm

nate33 wrote:I still question whether the negatives from his inefficiency offset his positives in the counting stats, but I really had no idea how good he would be for the team culture. His effort is contagious. And he has been extremely clutch at the end of games, picking up the slack for when Beal gets tired and our offense too predictable.

His defensive versatility is also an underrated bonus. Westbrook's strength and rebounding has allowed us to get away with 3-guard lineups all season with minimal consequence defensively or on the glass.

Neto, for example, is a really good player in all respects except for his height. On most teams, it would be hard to get him minutes because he's not a natural PG and he can't defend bigger players. But on a team with Westbrook, he has the luxury of playing more like a SG on offense while guarding PG's on defense. Basically, Westbrook allows us to play Neto and reap the good things he provides, without suffering from his weaknesses.



The good news is that his faults, which are really bad, are fixable. At the least they can be minimized. It is still possible that he can be a good player. The same isn't true for Wall imo.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#137 » by payitforward » Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:18 pm

nate33 wrote:I still question whether the negatives from his inefficiency offset his positives in the counting stats....

The good & the bad are both in those "counting stats."

Not to say something utterly obvious, but the only two real negatives in Russ's overall play are that he's not a particularly good shooter, & he turns the ball over a lot. Those are both things that can be counted in the simplest sense.

He's addressed the first of those issues by shooting less. In effect, what that means is that on a night where he doesn't commit a lot of turnovers we have a good chance to beat just about anybody! Last night, for example, Davis couldn't hit a single shot, but we controlled the game. We squeezed the life out of them. TBH, it would be no surprise if we make it to the #8 spot, & with Russ playing the way he is, I'd say we are a threat to anyone in a 7-game series.

I guarantee you, no one wants to play us in the playoffs right now. It's not just Russ of course. Gafford too has made us a pretty different team.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#138 » by CntOutSmrtCrazy » Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:47 pm

jangles86 wrote:It’s actually incredible how under appreciated this 2020-2021 Russell Westbrook season is by Wizards supporters. He is currently putting together one of the greatest raw statistical seasons in Wizards history.

Considering this... in Westbrook’s 13 NBA seasons he has been one of the highest usage players EVER. This season he isn’t even the highest usage player on this team! At 30.2 usage rate, this is currently his 3rd lowest usage rate of his career behind the first two seasons of his NBA career. At 34.3% Bradley Beal is currently 3rd in the league in usage. Westbrook is currently 14th in the NBA. (Wizards are the only team in the nba with X2 players in the top 15 for usage). Wizards are currently playing at the fastest pace in the NBA at 103. Wizards are currently the highest team in the league at 2 point field percentage.

Westbrook is currently on track to achieve his highest APG at 11apg and on track to join the only other wizards to lead the league in assists, Kevin Porter x2 (8apg) and Rod Strickland (10.5apg).

With 30 triple doubles he has more triple doubles in his first 55 games for the wizards then John Wall, Chris Webber, Wes Unseld, Gilbert Arenas, Bradley Beal, Rod Strickland ......COMBINED in their whole careers!

At 11.3 RPG Westbrook is currently grabbing more RPG then Moses Malone, Chris Webber, Marcin Gorat in any of thier seasons as a Washington Bullet/Wizard. Westbrook is currently 8th in league this season in rebounds. (For example grabbing more boards then players Jokic, Ayton, Adebayo, Randle).


He's an additional .2 rpg from being in the top 5 in rebounds this season. At the rate he's been boarding lately, he just might get there. Pretty insane considering he's leading the league by an assist plus per game.

Honestly, if Russ would just stop taking shots early in the shot clock that are forced (he can shoot whatever he want IMO the clock is winding down) and cut out one or two of those momentum killing turnovers out a game, he'd be pretty much everything that I hoped for and more. I can live with him only making about 1 in 3 three points and not being the most efficient scorers with the intangibles he brings.
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#139 » by payitforward » Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:55 pm

It'd be interesting (& probably pretty easy for nate or glizzy) to look at Russ's numbers since he recovered from the quad injury & compare them to what he was putting up two years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if he was at that level overall or even a bit higher.

In technical terms, he is playing his a$$ off!
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Re: Russell Westbrook in DC Appreciation Thread. 

Post#140 » by tontoz » Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:54 pm

Lets not gloss over the fact that Russ' 5 turnovers per game leads the NBA and his TS of 50% is pretty bad.
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