Hall of Famer Jerry West wasn't short of compliments for Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook, claiming he is a generational talent unlike anyone the NBA has seen since the one most regard as the greatest of all-time.
“I always felt that maybe Michael Jordan was one of those unbelievably gifted athletes,” West said as a guest on ESPN's The Jump. “But we're looking at a reincarnation of Michael Jordan who might be a little bit better in terms of athletic ability.”
Jerry West on Russ: "We're looking at a reincarnation of Michael Jordan who might be a little better in terms of athletic ability" pic.twitter.com/UfRzDoOmF5
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 21, 2017
West didn't compare the two as players, but rather as a couple of rare athletic specimens that the NBA has very seldom seen since its inception.
Westbrook is the frontrunner and -500 odds favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award in a very competitive season, and his work through the first two games of the series has proven just how valuable he is to his team as an all-around basketball player.
His unmatched athletic ability at the point guard position is his greatest gift, taking his talent to a different level for his willingness to actively rebound, find open teammates, and score with reckless abandon.
His motor and competitive edge are what make the comparison to Jordan truer in a sense — possessing a very unique maniacal desire to win at all costs — making him one of the greatest adversaries to face in an NBA hardwood.
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