Russell Westbrook (Getty Images file)
Spotlight on… Russell Westbrook, guard, Thunder
When: Once again, it’s time to start crowning The Denver Post’s NBA player of the week, and we start with a familiar name. Thunder star Russell Westbrook, the energizer bunny of point guards, had a big first week.
What’s up: In two games — wins over San Antonio and Orlando — Westbrook averaged 40.5 points, 9.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The UCLA product shot 49.2 percent from the field, including 36.4 percent from the 3-point line, and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Background: This season didn’t start with the familiar, fingernails-on-a-chalkboard questions as to whether there are enough Oklahoma City basketballs to go around for Kevin Durant and Westbrook or questions as to whether Westbrook realizes he is Robin to Durant’s Batman. Nope, the focus was on basketball, and Westbrook was electric in both games. His buzzer-beating, near-half-court 3-point shot sent the Orlando game into overtime, which the Thunder eventually won.
Dempsey’s take: Westbrook picked up where he left off from last season, making big plays, knocking down huge shots and doing it all while appearing to never, ever get tired. There is no other NBA guard quite like the explosive Westbrook, who combines so much skill in a powerful, compact package. Health permitting for both him and Durant, the postseason is a near certainty for the Thunder this time around.
