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

Is Russell Westbrook a stat sheet stuffer?

I have heard the shouted whisper of the fact that Russell Westbrook is indeed a stat sheet stuffer. He is playing to get numbers so that he can average the triple double. Again, I challenge anyone who watches the Oklahoma City Thunder to actually make that statement with authority.

Westbrook is the best offensive weapon on the team, he can create his own shot with effectiveness. The only other player with that ability on the team is Victor Oladipo,

Westbrook, being the point guard, also creates shots for others. He gets the ball to them when they are in their comfort zones. He is sitting second in assists, so has to be considered one of the best in the NBA at this skill. Is he stuffing his stat sheet when he lobs an alley-oop to Adams?

Is he stuffing his stats when the defense collapses on him and he kicks it out to Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis or Andre Roberson for a three? No, that is doing what a point guard does.

So where he is stuffing his stat sheet would then have to be rebounds right? Well, all I can say is please watch the games before you open your mouth. Once a shot has gone up, Westbrook is always working hard to crash the boards and help out his bigger players. That is called leadership.

For those who saw the Indiana Pacers game, if Westbrook was trying to collect triple doubles, would he not have tried to get the ball to a shooter for his 10th assist even in the closing stages? No, he took most of the shots himself at the end, unfortunately missing them. He does what he thinks that the TEAM needs for them to win.

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Lets compare with an actual stat stuffer

Towns has been seen to yell for a rebound when other players are in a better position. No one comments on this obvious stat stuffing. Also, this season, when Towns has a big night of more than 30 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves are 6-4.

When he goes for over 40, they are 0-2. I love watching Towns play, I really do. However, the below numbers show that Westbrook has the talent and ability to get his team over the line. Towns, does not. Of the 29 games where Westbrook has scored more than 30 points, the Thunder are 19-10. They are 5-3 when he goes for more than 40.

The Thunder are 19-6 when Westbrook has a triple double. That says to me that Westbrook is doing the team thing, not the individual thing.