SI cover: The NBA's triple-double machine, Russell Westbrook

SI cover: The NBA’s triple-double machine, Russell Westbrook

Author:
Scooby Axson
Publish date:
Apr 1, 2015

westbrook-si-cover — Greg Nelson for Sports Illustrated

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is many things: quiet, a runaway train on the court, a triple-double machine and a complex personality.

There are many reasons for his controlled madness on the hardwood. One is because he knows no other gear than to push the game's tempo.

"This is one of the best jobs in the world and you never know how long you'll be able to do it-how long you'll be able to run like this and jump like this," Westbrook, who is on the national cover of this week's Sports lllustrated, tells Lee Jenkins. "So I go for it. I go for it every time. It may look angry, but it's the only way I know."

• JENKINS: Russell Westbrook opens up

Westbrook is averaging a league-leading 27.6 points to go along with 8.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season for Oklahoma City. His nine triple doubles are by far the most in the NBA. He broke his cheekbone during a Feb. 27 loss to Portland and still finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

He has worn a protective plastic mask protect the injury ever since.

It's not hard to see why Westbrook is talked about as one of the leading candidates for the Most Valuable Player award.

"We're talking about a guy with the athleticism of LeBron and the drive of Kobe," one opposing coach says of Westbrook. "That's an intimidating enough combination, and then you put that mask on him, he's something out of a movie."

"His give-a-f--- level is very, very high," adds Thunder forward Nick Collison.

Trends: Russell Westbrook finally has Thunder in postseason driver's seat

That level has to be high these days for the Thunder, who are hanging on to the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with fewer than 10 regular-season games remaining.

Oklahoma City is without 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, who underwent season-ending foot surgery, and forward Serge Ibaka, who is recovering from knee surgery.

Most in NBA circles are pointing to the fact that the Thunder's run as of one the better teams in the West may be coming to an end. Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016 and Westbrook's five-year, $78.6 million contract will expire the following season.

For now, the 26-year-old Westbrook is shouldering the load, attempting to carry the Thunder to another playoff berth.

For more on Westbrook, check out this week's Sports Illustrated (subscribe here).

Also in this issue, a preview of the Final Four, a profile of former Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson and a book excerpt from Arnold Palmer.

Not in the area to buy the regional issue? Buy single issues here.

2015 Sports Illustrated Covers

2015 Sports Illustrated Covers

Will Smith

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Serena Williams

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Deshaun Watson

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Brock Osweiler

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LeBron James

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Cam Newton

November 30, 2015 | Quarterback Cam Newton and the 10–0 Carolina Panthers are featured on this week’s national cover of SI. Carolina has been led in the quest to remain undefeated by Newton, who has generated controversy with his on-field antics.

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2015-1130-Iowa-Raucous-X160163_TK1_1211-rawcovfinal.jpg — Jeff Haynes for Sports Illustrated

November 30, 2015 | Iowa football, which shares the Panthers’ undefeated record, is featured on the regional cover delivered to the following locations: Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota.

Jeff Gordon

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Todd Gurley

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Michael Phelps

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Andrew D. Bernstein for Sports Illustrated

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Jeffery A. Salter for Sports Illustrated

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Aaron Rodgers

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Illustration by WM J. Hennessy Jr., CourtroomArt.com for Sports Illustrated

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Cody Kessler

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Odell Beckham Jr.

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Lavonte David

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Serena Williams

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Chicago Cubs

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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

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John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

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David Banks/Getty Images, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

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Tom DiPace, Photo Illustration by Elevendy Studio

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Notre Dame

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Mississippi State

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TCU

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Rod Mar, John Iacono for Sports Illustrated (background)

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Darrelle Revis

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U.S. Women’s National Team

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The NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

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