Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. Whether you love him or hate him, it’s hard to deny that he has a number of teammates who are capable of carrying their own weight on the court.
Russell Westbrook is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard and one of the NBA’s best players. He has had many great teammates, but who are his best?
Russell Westbrook is regarded as one of the top 25 point guards in history. He’s been in nine All-Star games and is on his way to earning his first title. Because he has averaged a triple-double for four consecutive seasons, Westbrook is the greatest triple-double threat in NBA history.
His physicality and explosiveness also make him the most athletic point guard we’ve ever seen, a feat that puts him in the Hall of Fame right away when you consider his credentials, which include an MVP Award and two scoring championships. Westbrook has also played for some of the best teams in the NBA, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook’s move to the Lakers made headlines because he’ll be partnered with superstar players on the same team, something he’s done previously. Without further ado, here are Westbrook’s 10 best teammates of all time, ranked by their all-time status.
Steven Adams is number ten.
Steven Adams was one of Westbrook’s favorite teammates because the two stuck up for one other and were as unpolished as a pair can get. Westbrook and Adams’ pick-and-roll play was devastating and unstoppable at times. The Thunder had to depend on Westbrook’s passing and scoring to set up his bigs in the post-Durant era.
In seven seasons with the Thunder, Adams averaged 9.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 1.0 blocks per game. Although Adams and Westbrook never had much success together, the New Zealander was there on the floor when Westbrook earned his first MVP Award in 2017.
Victor Oladipo (9)
Victor Oladipo was Westbrook’s teammate when the All-Star point guard earned the NBA MVP award in 2017. Oladipo was good that year, averaging 15.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 2.6 assists per game, before having his breakthrough season with the Indiana Pacers a year later.
Oklahoma City would have been a very dominating club if Kevin Durant had stayed on the team after Oladipo arrived. Since James Harden departed in 2013, Westbrook and Durant have been looking for a shooting guard teammate, but it has never materialized. Before his career was cut short due to injury, Oladipo was named to two All-Star teams with the Pacers.
Serge Ibaka, No. 8
Serge “Iblacka” was the greatest shot-blocker in the NBA while he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. During his seven seasons with the Thunder, Ibaka averaged 11.6 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 2.5 blocks per game on defense. As he helped the Thunder reach the NBA Finals in 2012, Ibaka developed a strong mid-range shot.
Ibaka won his first NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2018, and the two-time Blocks Champion is one of the greatest African players in recent memory. It’s obvious that playing alongside Russell Westbrook helped Ibaka develop his game, which is why he’s now one of the greatest defensive big men in the league.
7. Bradley Beal is a basketball player who plays in the NBA
Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook only played one season together, but it was enough for Beal to earn a spot on Westbrook’s list of greatest-ever teammates. Last season, Beal was a standout as a receiver of Westbrook’s passes, scoring 31.3 points per game.
Although Beal and Westbrook only made it to the first round of the playoffs, their offensive firepower was entertaining to witness. The Washington Wizards would have been in the lottery without their All-Star combination, and the fact that they aren’t is a testimony to Beal’s scoring prowess.
Paul George, No. 6
When Paul George was paired with Russell Westbrook in 2019, he enjoyed his greatest individual season. George averaged 28.0 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game, while matching his career best with 4.1 assists per game. He was a force on both ends that year, finishing third in the MVP race behind All-Star Russell Westbrook.
George, who has seven Everything-Star choices, six All-NBA Team selections, four All-Defensive Team picks, and the 2013 Most Improved Player Award, may have a chance at the Hall of Fame when all is said and done. George has plenty of time to complete his trophy case, but he hasn’t had a statistical season quite like the one he had in Oklahoma City alongside Westbrook.
Carmelo Anthony (#5)
After finally being moved away from the failing New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony joined the Thunder. Despite his lack of NBA Finals appearances, Anthony showed his value as one of the greatest players in Knicks history by bringing memories and enthusiasm back to Madison Square Garden.
However, Anthony was expected to be the third superstar in Oklahoma City, with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, and he was at times. The three didn’t exactly work out because Anthony couldn’t take a supporting role in Westbrook and George’s offense, despite averaging 16.2 points per game. Anthony was not at his peak when playing with Westbrook, but he is comfortably in the top four of Westbrook’s teammates in terms of skill and all-time standing.
Anthony Davis, No. 4
The tale of Russell Westbrook being traded to the Lakers is intriguing. He teams up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the latter of whom is in his prime as the game’s greatest two-way big player. Davis had 8 All-Star appearances, 4 All-NBA choices, and a championship ring while being just 28 years old.
Davis is the greatest big man Westbrook has ever played with, so seeing the point guard feed Davis for easy baskets would be fascinating. Davis is also a top-5 player that Westbrook has ever played with in terms of sheer skill, and as a consequence, the Lakers are favorites to win the NBA title next season.
James Harden (#3)
When James Harden was a 6th Man of the Year, Westbrook got the chance to play alongside him, as well as when The Beard was an MVP. Harden was outstanding in the 2012 season, averaging 16.8 points per game and leading the Thunder to the Finals, although in a loss to the Miami Heat.
After being traded to the Rockets, Harden won the MVP award and established himself as one of the best players in the world. In 2020, when the Rockets adopted “micro-ball” to open the floor for Harden and Russ, the Beard reunited with Westbrook. Despite playing elite-level basketball on the court, the pair never worked out, as they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Kevin Durant, No. 2
Kevin Durant, the player who is inextricably connected to Russell Westbrook’s career, has a unique talent. He’s already regarded as one of the best small forwards of all time, and he enjoyed tremendous success in Oklahoma City with Russell Westbrook. Durant is an 11-time All-Star, four-time scoring champion, and one of the best players in the NBA.
Durant was a powerhouse in Oklahoma City alongside Westbrook, but his departure for Golden State irritated a lot of people, including Westbrook. Although it would be fascinating to watch the two players face off in the NBA Finals next season, the triple-double machine has claimed that he no longer has a grudge with Durant.
LeBron James is number one.
Although Westbrook has not yet had the opportunity to play alongside The King, he knows that LeBron James will be the best and most accomplished player he has ever encountered. Even though LeBron will be 37 years old next season, he remains the greatest captain and floor general in the league. Westbrook will play alongside a player capable of bringing a main ball-handler for the second time in his career (following James Harden).
James, like Westbrook, is a locomotive when he approaches the rim, so defenders will have no chance of guarding both of their drives on a single possession. Despite the fact that neither Westbrook nor James are renowned for their outside shooting, their ability to create for others and score at the rim will make this duo (and three with Davis) a frightening sight to see. Westbrook will almost certainly make his second NBA Finals appearance with The King by his side.
Next
Ranking Michael Jordan’s 10 Greatest Teammates Throughout His Career
Ranking Kobe Bryant’s 10 Greatest Teammates Throughout His Career
Kevin Durant’s 10 Greatest Teammates Throughout His Career
Chris Paul’s Top 10 Greatest Teammates Throughout His Career
Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant vs. Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Who Played With The Most All-Star Teammates?
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