The past week has been filled with the rumbling of earthquakes.
Many people are blaming the practice of fracking. But not me. I know the real reason.
The cause of all these earthquakes is none other than Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook tore his meniscus in the first round of last year’s NBA playoffs, when Houston Rockets Point Guard Patrick Beverly tried to steal the ball from him.
Westbrook missed the rest of the playoffs, dooming any chances the Thunder had at getting a rematch against the Miami Heat in the Finals.
Westbrook had surgery shortly after the injury and was given a timetable of being able to be fully healthy for the 2013-14 season.
Yet shortly before preseason started, the Thunder and Westbrook noticed swelling in his knee, Westbrook needed another surgery to clean out his knee.
While this gave the doctors the chance to check up on his meniscus – which had healed perfectly – Westbrook’s return seemed to be pushed back four to six weeks into the regular season.
Sports blogs and commentators were called for the Thunder to be an above-average team in a now stacked Western Conference.
Sure, the Thunder would still make playoffs, but losing the fifth best player in the NBA (ESPN) surely would doom the Thunder to a mediocre seed in the playoffs.
Scene change to the Thunder’s home opener.
After going 1-1 on the road and getting blown out in the loss, Thunder fans got antsy. “We are .500, we aren’t any good anymore!”
The lowly Phoenix Suns are in town to open the ‘Peake to a new season, but it won’t be the same without Westbrook.
And then Twitter gave all of Thunder Nation and the rest of the NBA breaking news. Russell Westbrook has been cleared to play basketball and he will start against the Suns…
What? The prodigal son has returned?
The player notorious for taking shots away from the best scorer in the league, the player who can’t pass and lets his anger get in his way?
No, the most explosive PG in the league, the energy and pulse of the Thunder, co-captain, 6’ 3”, from UCLA, number 0, point guard, Russell Westbrook!
The ‘Peake exploded as the speakers boomed his inclusion in the starting lineup.
Since his triumphant return, Westbrook averages 21.5 points per game, shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and dish out 5.5 assists during his 33 minutes per game.
Those stats are from a rusty Westbrook, who hasn’t had any preseason game practice.
Every time Westbrook’s knee gets hit or he hits the ground, Thunder Nation cringes and says a quick prayer.
But in the second half of his second game back against the Mavs, Westbrook did what he does best- he pushed the ball using his incredible speed, blew past the entire Mavs defense, and – one step past the free throw line – threw down a gravity-defying dunk.
All in a blur.
Westbrook is back, and I’d expect many more earthquakes this season.
Leave a Reply