Heading into this season, Russell Westbrook was everyone's MVP pick. With Kevin Durant no longer splitting touches with Westbrook, fans looked it as if Westbrook had been unleashed. It almost seemed the expectations wereĀ tooĀ high. Could any player really single-handedly carry an NBA team to contention without much talent around him?
So far this year, the answer is yes, and so far, it's fair to conclude the expectations were reasonable. Granted it's only been three games, but Westbrook is absolutely killing it. He's been even better than expected.
Just how good has he been? Historically good.
THUNDER UP!
Westbrook is 1st player in NBA history with 100 Pts, 30 Reb and 30 Ast in team's first 3 games of a season. (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/nV9D4uvgri
Russell: first since Magic to record triple-doubles in 2 of first 3 games in a season. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/DDH7ktgd89
Westbrook is 1 of 4 players in last 30 seasons with 100-30-30 over any 3-game span in a season.
And he's done it twice. (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/asQTIsXx4z
Westbrook has almost put up a triple double in every game so far this year (he missed by one assist in one game). He reached tonight's triple-double mark with nearly a full quarter remaining. He finished with 33 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds in the Thunder's 113-96 win over the Lakers. Oklahoma City is now 3-0.
šŗ Westbrook/Adams combo x2. pic.twitter.com/2HZZTQYESe
Steal. Slam. Russ. pic.twitter.com/mZ9r5vykDc
The question, of course, isĀ how sustainable is this?Ā Can Westbrook play a full 82 games in full-out Westbrook Mode, stay healthy, and have enough left in the tank for the postseason?
We don't yet know. What we do know, is this isĀ really funĀ to watch.
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