Russell Westbrook did not disappoint Bill Simmons.
Before the All-Star Game even began, he had practically slapped the entire league in the face.
On February 8, against the Los Angeles Clippers, a Western Conference powerhouse sitting at 33-18, the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off another unexpected feat.
Though the Clippers were without Griffin and J.J. Redick, the Thunder were not at full strength either. Even so, nobody favored the Thunder before the game.
Russell Westbrook utterly dismantled Paul, leaving the league's top point guard humiliated in Oklahoma City.
Paul had actually played quite well: 18 points and 13 assists, shooting 7-for-13 from the field for 53.8 percent.
Normally, when Paul put up numbers like that, it was nearly impossible for the Clippers to lose.
Yet the Clippers not only lost in Oklahoma City—they lost terribly.
131-108. The Thunder absolutely slaughtered the Clippers without showing the slightest mercy.
Westbrook played as if possessed today. Usually not a particularly efficient shooter, he erupted for a 66.7 percent field-goal percentage in this game!
The "Turtle" did not recklessly jack up threes today, attempting only three shots from beyond the arc.
Instead, he diligently used his ferocious drives to attack the Clippers' paint again and again, finishing multiple times through heavy contact.
In the third quarter, the Thunder even blew the Clippers out by 16 points at one stage!
If the Thunder's victory over the Pelicans in the previous game had merely been an appetizer, then crushing the Clippers today was undoubtedly a full feast for Oklahoma City fans.
Westbrook finished with 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Though it was not as stunning as his 45-point performance in the previous game, it was still undeniably outstanding.
For the second straight game, Westbrook saved the Thunder with an explosive performance.
After the game,