Russell Westbrook outduels Derrick Rose, now averaging triple-double as Thunder top Knicks

NEW YORK – Since they broke into the league together in 2008, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose have travelled west to shoot jumpers under the guidance of trainer Rob McClanahan.

Just a few short blocks from Santa Monica Beach, the point guards revered for their attacking styles fine-tuned their games at St. Monica Elementary school, and finally this summer, for the first time in a while, Rose was fully healthy.

A year-plus removed from yet another surgical procedure on his balky knee, Rose was in Los Angeles training with Westbrook when he received word he would be leaving Chicago for New York and on Monday, the guards faced off for the first time at Madison Square Garden.

It was clear that Rose, who is trying to return to the elite level Westbrook now owns, took special interest in the matchup — even if he wouldn't admit it — and the 28-year-olds didn’t disappoint. 

They traded baskets all night — Westbrook produced his eighth triple-double this season; Rose dropped a season-high 30 points — and it was the Oklahoma City Thunder who came out on top, 112-103.

Following yet another feat of scoring, passing and crashing the glass, Westbrook is now averaging a triple-double (30.9 points, 11.3 assists and 10.3 rebounds). Oscar Robertson is the only player in NBA history to finish a season with such an average in 1962.

Of course, it’s way too early in the season to draw any parallels to The Big O, but that Westbrook is putting up such a stat-line, even through 19 games, is remarkable, if seemingly unsustainable. 

“Winning is sustainable,” Westbrook said, clad in all black with the hat to match. “My job is to go out and find the best way to win games. Right now, we won three straight and that is most important to me.”

That best way? Westbrook’s prowess on the offensive glass. He pulled down five such rebounds to go along with 13 on defense. The 200-pounder easily positioned himself under the basket time and again, even outmuscling Kristaps Porzingis for one of his 18 rebounds.  

The UCLA product, drafted three slots after No. 1 overall pick Rose in ’08, has posted a triple-double in each contest during this three-win streak. 

Westbrook shot just 9 of 23 from the field, but when he missed, Enes Kanter was there to clean up with second-chance points (27 points total). Of course, the fashion icon also dished plenty of perfect passes on his way to 14 assists.

Mixed with Andre Roberson’s stout defense, it’s a winning formula for the Thunder, who is now 11-8 led by the MVP candidate.

“He’s going to put up numbers because of his ability and how hard he plays and his gifts,” Billy Donovan said. The Thunder coach was particularly impressed with Westbrook’s effort on the glass and on loose-ball plays, which he called an “unbelievable message to our team.” 

“He’s doing a lot of other things that the stat sheet doesn’t measure. I know everyone is focused on (the triple-doubles), and rightfully so — it’s historic what he’s doing.”

If Rose took solace in his best game of the season, he didn’t show it. He repeatedly told reporters that his season-high 30 points didn’t matter because the team lost (the Knicks are now 8-9). 

But make no mistake: Rose resembled his former MVP form at times. 

He violently attacked the basket early and often, contorting his body to bury hotly contested shots. When he wasn’t able to finish, he usually drew a foul. The Knicks guard made five trips to the charity stripe, and he converted on all 10 free throws.

The contest was a stark reminder that even if Rose isn’t the player who once dazzled his way to a league MVP award, he’s still pretty darn good. And he's clearly what the Knicks hoped for when they completed the blockbuster deal.

“It’s always fun playing against a player like (Westbrook),” Rose said. “He’s so dynamic with what he does and how he plays. He’s figuring out with that team what to do and they’re following behind him.”

Rose, too, is following behind Westbrook. The entire league is. And that’s OK.

The Chicago native might not be on Westbrook’s level anymore — and who is? — but it’s clear the Knicks have a worthy point guard to lead their rejuvenated offense.

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"His explosiveness is there — you saw it tonight," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. "He's getting back into his form. I think once he really feels comfortable with breaking the ball to the basket, that's going to open up for other other guys and we'll be better that way."

For now, Rose is actually healthy and is driving the offense, even with stars Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis in tow. The question all along has been twofold: Can Rose remain healthy? And can he channel his MVP past?

So far, the answer is yes.

But in a league dominated by point guards, one man stands alone: Russell Westbrook. And the only question surrounding the fashion mogul is when will his next triple-double come?

Soon, we might all be wondering if he can make a run at Robertson's hallowed mark after all.