The maturation of Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is growing up before our eyes. If you are not enjoying every minute of it,  then perhaps you should pay closer attention. Sure, Russell still makes some pretty dumb decisions and takes questionable shots but not near as much as he used to. Then again, how many of us could make the dozens of good, snap decisions he makes every game? In fact, not many NBA players can do what Westbrook does game in and game out.

Russell Westbrook came out of college as a defensive minded shooting guard. He was drafted to play point guard. At the time, most sports reporters and fans thought the idea was crazy. Very few thought it would work. Some (Skip Bayless comes to mind) still think playing Westbrook at the point is a bad idea. Many fans cry about his "inconsistency" on the court and frown at his dramatic complaints to the zebra crew after every possession. Some have even stated that Westbrook should have been traded or, at the very least, not signed to a long term contract. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, despite how silly it is. I for one think they are all wrong.

It is my contention that Russell Westbrook is not a point guard or a shooting guard. Russell Westbrook is an athlete. Not a run of the mill, Professional athlete either, he's a freak of nature. A rare athlete that possesses not just the skills that are commensurate with his size, but big man skills as well. I believe that he could also transition to other sports. Would it not be fun to watch Westbrook chasing down wide receivers as an NFL safety, or outrunning fly balls in a Major League ball park? I think he could easily do both. Don't get me started on his potential career in track and Field. I believe Thunder GM Sam Presti and the rest of the staff saw the same thing on draft day. The question they faced was not what position to play Westbrook, but rather how to get him on the court period.

The starting five and the positions they play mean a great deal right up until the tip off. After the first whistle it means a lot less. LeBron James is listed as a forward in the starting lineup. He spends the majority of the game at the point, handling the ball. Russell Westbrook can play any position and, on most nights, he does. Consider the stats for the guards on the top 7 teams in the NBA. Westbrook leads in almost every category. He leads in minutes played (35.69), points (23.63), rebounds (5.25) and is second to the Clippers Chris Paul in assist (9.51 - 7.83) and steals (2.43-1.85). Better than Parker, Ginobili, Crawford, Wade and Ray Allen. In fact, his rebound totals rival those of most starting forwards in the NBA. It wouldn't be fair not to mention the fact that Westbrook also leads in the categories of turn overs (3.52) and personal fouls (2.28) but, those categories speak to his explosive manner of play and his stingy defense. I don't know about you, but I don't want Westbrook to slow down his style of play. I'll take a few turnovers and a scrappy foul every now and then.

Watching Russell Westbrook grow before our eye's is a lot of fun. He is only 24 years old and has proven to be extremely durable. In fact, Russell has never missed a game. Not just in the NBA mind you, it has been reported that he didn't miss a game in college or high school either. And then there is his incredible upside. Compare his season stats above to what he has done since the all star break; 32 points per game, 6 assist and 6 rebounds. And, for good measure, he has 3 double doubles during that span and adds at least one steal a game. He's doing all that while shooting 52% from the field, 42% from 3 point range and a stout 88% at the line. He proves every game that he is no where near finished growing as a player or as a leader.

Russell will always have turnovers because of his style of play and his passion for the game will always be perceived as childish anger by some. But I know this, I want him around as long as he wants to be, and I hope that he plays his entire career as a member of the Thunder. Trust me, I know his teammates don't want to play against him. I promise that in the not to distant future he will be in the discussions for many NBA honors including MVP, all defensive team and perhaps a scoring title or two.

Give the man a break, let him play his style. Ride the emotional roller coaster that he puts us on every time he steps on to the court. It's the way he was made. Who are we to argue with his Creator. My advice, Just sit back and enjoy watching Russell Westbrook grow up, and hopefully grow old, with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For Buster.