Last year, Kevin Durant won the scoring title as the Oklahoma City Thunder were headed into the playoffs as a heavy favorite to win the title.
Just one year later, the scoring title is coming back to Oklahoma City but under way different circumstances. Russell Westbrook is the recipient this season but unlike last year, the Thunder are not going back to the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a chance to get into the playoffs if they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves and they got some help from the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio was playing for the 2 seed in the Western Conference and going up against the New Orleans Pelicans.
At the end of the day, there was no more tie for the 8th seed in the Western Conference. The Pelicans impressively defeated the Spurs and clinched the final spot, so the Thunder and Westbrook were sent home.
So, of course Russell Westbrook is frustrated once again. This answer is relatively tame considering his recent interaction with the media.
This is a historic accomplishment for the Thunder franchise along with their 2 star players. Westbrook and Durant became the first back-to-back NBA scoring title winners on the same team since Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston of the Philadelphia Warriors in 1952 and 1953.
No one will ever forget this historic season by Russell Westbrook. His ridiculous run of 11 triple-doubles this year brought him into elite status and now no one can deny Westbrook and Durant are 2 of the top players in the game, when healthy.
It’s clear, the Thunder have 2 elite players, not many teams can say they let alone have one. There’s no more ‘Batman and Robin’, now it might be ‘Batman and Iron Man’, based off what Westbrook went through this season.
Westbrook missed 13 games due to a broken hand, then he suffered a face-caving facial fracture that required surgery and he returned only 2 days later but he was forced to wear a mask, yet none of it slowed him. In a season where Durant dominated many of the Thunder headlines due to the amount of time he spent battling foot injuries, Russell Westbrook carried the Thunder offense and the team to the cusp of the playoffs but he fell short.
One day, Russell Westbrook will look back on this season with a great sense of pride but it won’t be anytime soon.
