If there is something Russell Westbrook loves more than shooting is rebounding the ball. With only 16 rebounds needed to clinch a second straight triple-double season, many are expecting the reigning MVP to go balls-to-the-wall in a stat-padding galore to net the feat.
ESPN's Ryen Russillo was the first to poke fun at this very fact, knowing what awaits the tanking Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
If I had to pick a guy in the NBA that would start a game saying “I need 16 rebounds” I’d pick Russ first.
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) April 10, 2018
Bill Simmons of The Ringer quickly responded with some quick-witted banter of his own.
I normally can’t stand stat-chasing but fully support whatever Russ is going to unleash in Game 82 – watching Adams box out 2 guys so Russ can grab FT rebounds is gonna be- oh wait that happened in the other 81 games, too. Forget it. https://t.co/5OVobdgxoo
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 10, 2018
Westbrook had his triple-double season questioned by his propensity to pad his stats, playing with a center that leads the league in box-outs by a wide margin and is happy to let him collect them to start the break.
As athletic as he is, hauling in nearly two offensive rebounds per game is no joke, but his defensive rebound totals have jumped incredibly in the last four years and even more in the last two since Kevin Durant left the team.
Westbrook went from collecting six defensive rebounds per game in 2015-16 to a whopping nine last season — collecting those extra defensive rebounds at a similar pace this season with eight per game.
Russillo has found himself struggling whether Westbrook deserves praise on his pursuit of excellence, or if his motivation gets in the way of team success.
I think that’s exactly it. I’ve never struggled w/ how I feel about a player as much as Russ. He cares every possession. I love that. He’s also tough to play with. https://t.co/i8eockDyCY
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) April 10, 2018
Westbrook hauled in a season-high 18 rebounds against the Miami Heat in his last game. In three of his last four games, he's collected 18, seven, 16, and 15 respectively. Anyone else thinks he's not aware of what's to come?
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