Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook has dominated the NBA in 2016, standing out amongst a crowded group of basketball stars to emerge with a potentially historic season. Westbrook is currently on pace to become the first player to average a triple-double since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, and his scintillating, all-around style of play has flourished in Kevin Durant's absence since Durant departed for the Golden State Warriors this past offseason. Ironically, in an era where NBA stars long to team up and form so-called "superteams" or a "Big Three", Russ prefers to go it alone, as losing the shackles of another superstar in Durant has unleashed Westbrook's full potential upon the rest of the league. Moreover, Westbrook has carried his team to a 20-12 start, good for fifth in the competitive Western Conference. Without Westbrook, the rest of Oklahoma City's roster resembles that of a team near the bottom of the standings, and Westbrook's one-man show is reminiscent of LeBron James during his initial tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Russ has made 2016 his year, and it appears unlikely anyone can or will stop him.
Westbrook's detractors state that he is selfish, a ball-hog, and a stat-stuffer, and many people have claimed that his divisive, go-it-alone style of play is the factor that drove off Durant in the first place. Whether or not such claims about his personality are true, no one can deny his impact on OKC's success in 2016. There are numerous other teams with lone superstars who are nowhere near the Thunder. For example, the Sacramento Kings have a roster with arguably the NBA's top center in DeMarcus Cousins, as well as Rudy Gay, yet the team is six games behind where the Thunder stand. In the same vein, the New Orleans Pelicans have Anthony Davis, possibly the NBA's best forward, yet they languish seven games behind the Thunder and out of a playoff spot. The supporting cast for both clubs is similar to that of OKC, yet they are not close to the Thunder's ability, displaying Westbrook's effect on his team's success, and his superiority when compared to other superstars. In a way, one could make the case that Russ is the best player since James, as he does not need a fellow star to dominate the regular season: something that not has been done since LeBron led the 2007 Cavaliers to a 50-32 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference. That team had a .610 winning percentage, whereas Westbrook's Thunder have a superior .625 winning percentage, albeit in a 32-game sample size. Based solely on team success (and both rosters were/are horrendous without their stars), Westbrook's dominance overshadows even that of James.
All in all, it is clear to see that Russell Westbrook has left the rest of the NBA in his wake this year, and barring any serious injury, he should waltz his way to a historic MVP award this spring. He has proven that he doesn't need another star player, that he is in his own class of superstars, and that he is giving his team success along the way. Now the only question is this: can anyone stop Russ?
