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Time to dispel the myths and appreciate Russell Westbrook for who he is

By Matthew Hallett

January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0, right) dunks the basketball past Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0, right) dunks the basketball past Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) defends Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Current Day Players

There are seven current players in the top 50 all time rebounds per game, Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, Kevin Love,  Karl-Anthony Towns, Hassan Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis. DeAndre Jordan is sitting in 52nd place all time as the eighth best current day player.

Do you think that these guys do not know that the ball is going longer because of where it is shot from? That is a ludicrous statement from Barkley.

Related: Russell Westbrook officially ranks fifth for all-time triple-doubles

But back to Elliott. There are less big players clogging up the paint so Westbrook has an easier time getting rebounds? Of the 11 players above him on the list, Love is the shortest at 6-foot-10. How is that easier?

The next players this season who are not not a power forward or center on the rebounds per game list behind Westbrook are Kevin Durant in 21st and the James Harden in 25th. How is it that no one else can average the numbers that he is even though there are supposedly less big bodies clogging the paint?

Steven Adams does a tremendous job of holding his players back with a box out so that anyone from the Oklahoma City Thunder gets the rebound. Westbrook simply uses his speed, athleticism and game nous to read the ball and be there for the rebound.

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