November 2 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant is out, Russell Westbrook is staying, giving the athletic phenom a completely undeniable claim to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After renegotiating Westbrook’s deal to come to a three-year extension, the city and the Thunder have been saved, to an extent. Of course, nothing can replace the loss of Durant. The departure of a superstar scorer so rare and beloved cannot be fully compensated for by any amount of Westbrook ferocity.
That being said, now that he’s the undisputed leader of the team, capable of going fully supersonic with even more scoring and playmaking responsibility, motivated by the challenge of Durant’s departure, 2016-17 could be a special one for Westbrook. In terms of sheer gaudy statistics and breathtaking triple-doubles, Westbrook could deliver a year for the ages.
To get things started at the beginning of the season, his first test against an elite team will come against the Clippers on November 3. If the Thunder’s first three games against the 76ers, Suns and Lakers don’t pose much threat to an OKC team that’s still highly talented, how could a test against possibly the second best team in the Western Conference not be an exciting one for both the Clips and anyone (aka everyone) looking forward to Russ going mad against elite competition?
Alongside Victor Oladipo as a result of the draft night Serge Ibaka trade, Westbrook has a new backcourt running mate. The duo are immediately the most explosive guard duo in the NBA, and with Oladipo’s athleticism and hounding defensive ability combined with Westbrook’s overall energizer bunny impact all over the floor, the two should be able to tear past opponents in transition, make plays defensively, continually attack the basket and generally wear out their opponents.
Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, along with Austin Rivers‘ elevated defense off the bench, will have a serious handful taking on the Thunder’s backcourt. How they deal with such a duo will be one of the Clippers’ biggest tests at the start of the season.
For such a backcourt battle and Westbrook’s chance to make a statement against a top team alone, the Clippers taking on the Thunder in Staples Center is a game you won’t want to miss.
Next: The Clippers' closest competitor in the West