Nov. 06--Standing outside the locker room not long before his team took the court against the Thunder, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg practically gushed when asked about the talents of Russell Westbrook.
"He's as good as there is in this league," Hoiberg said of the Thunder point guard.
A few minutes later, seated inside the Thunder locker room, Westbrook's teammate Kevin Durant was a bit more low-key but heaped similar accolades.
"He's one of the best playing in the world," said Durant, an all-world player in his own right.
Westbrook lived up to the praise Thursday night with 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in the Bulls' 104-98 victory. He kicked things off with a thunderous two-handed slam for the Thunder's second basket and ran their offense throughout the night.
Need a tough drive to the hoop? Westbrook delivered. Need a pull-up jumper? Westbrook again. A crisp pass to an open teammate? Westbrook.
Westbrook left no doubt as to why he entered the game third in the NBA in scoring with 28.6 points per game and tops in assists with 10.6 per game. Those averages exceed the career highs of 28.1 and 8.6 he posted last season.
"Every year my job is to come back better," said Westbrook, a man of many talents on the court but few words off of it. "My job is to try to help us get to a championship."
To that end, Westbrook and Durant make for a nice pair of building blocks as the Thunder seek to get back to the NBA Finals after losing to the Heat in five games four seasons ago.
Under first-year coach Billy Donovan, who replaced the fired Scott Brooks after an injury-plagued season in which the Thunder missed the playoffs, Westbrook is getting plenty of open looks and is finding his teammates.
"It's a different offense," Westbrook said. "You get different shots and spacing is a little different. And we create more plays for other guys."
Hoiberg said Westbrook's effectiveness begins with the Thunder's transition game.
"If you don't get back and build a wall, he's going to make you look foolish by getting to the rim," Hoiberg said. "And going around you, he's got such a quick pull-up shot.
"You have to do a good job of showing bodies and showing the front of your jersey. You can't side-saddle him down the floor. If you do that, he's getting to the rim."
Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who was tasked to guard Westbrook, knew his opponent's game well.
"He's just a great point guard," Rose said. "Me and West worked out with each other during the summer (and) we pushed each other. Our workouts were extremely hard, and it's paying off. The way I see him playing has been great."
ckuc@tribpub.com
