Superstar Russell Westbrook will play tonight as the OKC Thunder host the Sacramento Kings and hope to capture their first 2018-19 season victory.
In retrospect the loss in Oakland to Golden State felt as bitter as all losses to the Dubs do. This one was particularly frustrating because Russell Westbrook was relegated to the OKC Thunder bench sporting street clothes. Moreover the Warriors (other than Stephen Curry) weren’t exactly lighting Oracle up.
Still, the Thunder had at least a trio of disadvantages with Westbrook being the most pronounced. Andre Roberson is still out, and will be at least until the end of this year. While the big Kiwi, Steven Adams was dealing with back stiffness that kept him out of practice and was threatening to land him in a seat beside the Brodie and ARob in his pre-game togs.
Still, after shedding the initial angst which comes from events like these rooted in the roller coaster effect of very extreme giddiness followed by an overt crashing low there were positives to pull.
Billy Donovan just told the assembled press in Oklahoma City that Russell Westbrook is playing tonight
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 21, 2018
For one, Russell Westbrook continued to progress and was expected back soon. He looked solid prior to the game in LA versus the Clippers, but the decision was made to hold him out again.
Superman Westbrook?
As half time completed and Westbrook made his way back to the bench it was whispered Westbrook was pulling a Superman routine with his jersey peeking out under his suit jacket.Trust me when I say , in that the OKC Thunder needed Superman.
Russell Westbrook finishing up a pretty high energy workout: pic.twitter.com/ZZfgnmPKTj
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) October 19, 2018
Royce Young’s tweet above showcases precisely what makes Westbrook the true unicorn. Most players returning from injury take anywhere from six months to 18 before they return to normal.
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We’re talking about the most athletic, aggressive player in the NBA in Russ and he’ll come back & dunk when he does, as ferociously and with as much height and power as he did prior to leaving.
Yet, in the end it also made sense to hold out Westbrook until the home opener. No one needed Patrick Beverley testing Westbrook’s freshly healed knee – right?
Westbrook returns in home opener
Russell returns at the perfect time given their 0-2 standing. Not only do the Thunder need his offense – they need his aggression and leadership on the court.
While the Brodie will come out ready to play fans do need to temper expectations as he’ll no doubt need to shake off the rust and get back into game shape.
Still, it’s wonderful he’s back and Thunder Nation can see how he’ll impact this new iteration of the OKC Thunder.
Welcome back Russell Westbrook – even though it was a brief sojourn – we missed you.