26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists! With only a base salary of 3.6 million, Westbrook became a superstar again

Two weeks into the new NBA season, the Western Conference pattern is somewhat unclear. First of all, the Thunder's 8-game winning streak was finally ended by the dark horse Trail Blazers. They once led by 22 points, which confused the Blazers' bombardment tactics. Facts have proved that the Thunder are not invincible, and Alexander also needs Jie Wei to return as soon as possible. Many legendary superstars and veterans entering the end of their careers are struggling this season. The first is James. Due to a sciatic nerve problem, he has repeatedly postponed his comeback. Then he will not be able to accompany the Lakers for five consecutive visits. He will not be able to return until mid-to-late November at the earliest. The Lakers have gradually forgotten about James with 7 wins in 8 games. Paul started retirement mode with the Clippers, averaging 2.3 points and 3.9 assists per game. The team's net efficiency per 100 possessions when he was on the court was -16.4, which directly dragged the Clippers underwater.

Including the Warriors' Horford, who was originally considered to be the best signing of the Warriors in the offseason. The new season is hit and miss, and there is load management. However, with averages of 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, coupled with two shooting percentages of 29% + 20%, it is a pity to give up. To put it simply, it is difficult for any star to withstand the baptism of time. A player as strong as Durant has gradually begun to play a supporting role in the Rockets, and Durant is still enjoying it. After all, the teammates around him are too strong! But one star is an exception: Westbrook. In early June, Westbrook jumped out of his player option contract with the Nuggets. It was not until one week before the start of the new season that he accepted a one-year unguaranteed basic salary of 3.6 million from the Kings. For four months, no one cared about him, and everyone thought it was time for him to retire. Unexpectedly, after the start of the new season, he became a super giant again.

Let’s start with a few sets of data. This season, Westbrook averaged 28.5 minutes per game, contributed 15 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists. His two field goal percentages were 46% + 43%, and he averaged 2 three-pointers per game, which is far beyond expectations! When Westbrook started, he averaged 19.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 52.7%+50%+89% and a true shooting percentage of 65.3%! In the last two consecutive games against the Nuggets and Warriors, Westbrook broke out again. Although the Kings lost by 6 points against the Nuggets, Westbrook scored 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. He broke out in the first half and stepped forward at critical moments. At the last moment, Westbrook also accelerated to grab rebounds and counterattack to cause damage. If LaVine and Sabonis performed better, the Kings might win.

In the battle against the Warriors, Westbrook played the fourth position again, shooting 9 of 13, scoring 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. At the critical moment, Westbrook fed Schroeder continuously and hit a three-pointer himself. As for the backcourt rebounds, they were all his, and no one in the Warriors could grab them. Including the successful defense against Podemski at the last moment, forcing mistakes and sealing the victory! Westbrook also became the first player in NBA history to have triple-doubles with 7 different teams, a total of 204 times! In the 18th season of his career, he can still get a triple-double, the first point guard in NBA history to do this! At least 20+15+10 in a single game, fourth in Kings history in the past 40 years! Westbrook only gets an unguaranteed basic salary! After playing for the Nuggets, Westbrook said that the Nuggets didn't want me to return. They asked me not to exercise player options, so I jumped out.

What kind of player is Westbrook? To be precise, he has been controversial since the Lakers period and was known as a cancer in the locker room. When he arrived at the Clippers, he caused turmoil in the team and was full of resentment when he left. In the Nuggets last season's playoffs, he was the first contributor to the team's victory over the Clippers, but the Nuggets didn't want him either. Westbrook's shortcomings and advantages coexist and are common. He hopes to maximize his value in the team. He doesn't care how much money he gets. What matters is helping the team win. Of course, throughout Westbrook's career, shooting has been his biggest weakness, and he is prone to getting distracted when playing. He often makes three-point shots and layups, including low-level mistakes at critical moments. But after all, Westbrook only gets a basic salary, and he is not a bastard who doesn't work with a maximum salary.

Almost every time, Westbrook was pushed to a desperate situation. He started playing as a substitute when he was with the Lakers, and when he came to the Clippers, he made room for Harden. He performed too well in the Nuggets and was given excuses by the management to restrict the growth of young people, including in the Kings. He couldn't play the point guard he was familiar with because his younger brother Schroeder occupied it, so he could only play the fourth position. Playing two consecutive games against Gordon and then against Kuminga, is it a bit too cruel for Westbrook, who is about to turn 37? But taking a step back, if Westbrook performs like Paul or Horford, the Kings can cut him without any worries. But Westbrook accepted the challenge and kept getting better and better. This was the case with the Nuggets last season. When Murray fell, Westbrook and Jokic held up the sky together.

Those who like Westbrook will definitely like him very much because of his fighting spirit and hard work, and because he never gives up. People who don't like Westbrook must have liked him very much, but they couldn't stand Westbrook's low-level mistakes and ball-handling style. In any case, it is almost impossible for Westbrook to win a championship in his career. At the current stage, he is just engaged in the basketball career he loves, leading this Kings, which does not have much competitiveness, to try to achieve some hope. As Westbrook himself said, thank the Kings for the opportunity, and I will focus on playing well this season. Until the day he retires, Westbrook must be labeled as a "super giant". He deserves it and is worthy of his entire career.