We wouldn’t get give most players benefit of the doubt here. It’s not an uncommon occurrence for a ballhandler to try a wild attempt with the shot clock winding down, of course. But Russell Westbrook? The “freakiest of freaks?”
Yeah. He definitely, definitely was going for the “self-assist” in the video above – the only problem is that Russ is on such a roll that his off-backboard pass nearly bounced through the hoop. How else to explain why he immediately followed the carom with such vigor? Exactly. This was basically an alley-oop.
It’s not like we’re the only ones affording the Oklahoma City Thunder MVP candidate some leeway, either. The game’s official scorers graciously granted Westbrook a triple-double earning rebound minutes after the fact play in question he pleaded his case. Offensive board or random tip?
Russ has pretty much been getting what he wants on the floor this season, so it’s no surprise he was given his 10th rebound to go along with 29 points and 12 assists in Oklahoma City’s 113-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But we certainly wouldn’t be surprised if the league strips him of his sixth triple-double in eight games upon further review, either.
As for Westbrook’s self-assist, though? Nobody can take that away.
[Vine via Royce Young]
