I have no idea why this is so difficult for Russell Westbrook to grasp. None. And this is what makes Westbrook vexing to the ultimate degree. It truly is. When you see this Russell Westbrook play like the one I witnessed in Sacramento on Wednesday night you realize you’re watching a generational player of the ages for the ages. The player we know he can be if only he’ll put the Wild Thing bullshit in the closet and leave it there. The Russell Westbrook who could lead a team to something come April when games start meaning something. This Russell Westbrook.
The Thunder won in Sacramento on Wednesday night by a score of 132-113. They did this without both Dennis Schroeder and Raymond Felton who were both suspended by the league because they got off their feet and somehow got quasi involved near the Thunder bench when Robin Lopez lost his mind after realizing his career has careened to this low point of playing for a team as bad as the Chicago Bulls circa 2018. Very weak and unfair by the NBA , but in the end it didn’t matter for the Thunder on this night.
Westbrook tripled doubled with a 19 point, 11 rebound, 17 assist night. For good measure he threw in six steals. I know Maurice Cheeks felt good watching this. I’m pretty sure Billy Donovan smiled to himself as well. I smoked a cigar on my back porch in the forest of Deer Creek. This wasn’t Wild Thing, this was the best player in the NBA on this night in Sacramento showing what he can do when he really wants to do it.
Paul George didn’t suck either in scoring 43 points on 27 shots as he closes in on winning the NBA Player of the Month for December. Paul George may not be Durant as far as generational offensive numbers, but like me he loves to fish and he’s a complete player on both ends of the floor. He’s blue collar to the core and right now he’s in the hunt for the MVP given the way he’s been playing this season.
Steven scored 20 points and added 23 rebounds against the Kings. In an age of NBA basketball where centers don’t seem to matter as much, Steven has evolved as perhaps into the best in the league at his position. In his book Steven says how hard in practice he works on the Euro step and his three point shooting. I’m ready to see a three point shot by Steven.
Jerami Grant scored 22 points on an uber efficient 9-11 shooting night. Since moving into the starter’s role his game has taken off while Patrick Patterson’s has dropped off the edge of the world. I hope for Patrick Patterson’s sake he doesn’t find himself sitting on a bench with Robin Lopez after the trade deadline. But then again, the Bulls don’t have anything Sam Presti could use right now.
Terrance Ferguson had one of his better nights as a modified version of Andre Roberson. Terrance had 14 points and is getting better every night. It’s starting to make sense. He needs some more upper body muscle but you can see where his game is going.
Alex Abrines went 3-7 shooting the three on this night and that’s exactly what Sam Presti needs from him on most nights. As in pulling his link on the chain and giving the Thunder an additional three point shooter they can count on coming out of the bullpen.
Diallo got a technical and had one of his less productive games, but I’m guessing he’ll snap back in Salt Lake on Saturday.
The Thunder improve to 20-10 and head to Salt Lake on Saturday night for a return visit to where their season ended in April last season. Those fans will be ready for Westbrook. Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder will be talking some shit I’m sure. Ricky Rubio will try to bring out Wild Thing from Russell Westbrook’s inner basketball closet.
We’ll see.
But on this mid December night in Sacramento there was no Wild Thing sighting, just the best point guard in the NBA along with Steph Curry showing us what he can be when he wants to be it.