Russell Westbrook To Grace NBA LIVE 16 Cover

Former Bruin and current point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook was selected as the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NBA LIVE 16. Hands down the perfect selection for the popular video game franchise.

EA Sports VP of Marketing Anthony Stevenson said about the former UCLA standout,

"“Russell Westbrook is a player who can do it all, and we can’t imagine a better fit for the cover of NBA LIVE 16.”"

Can you blame them? The 6-foot-3 guard was one of the most exciting players in the NBA this season. His league-leading 11 triple-doubles we’re damn near out of this world. He posted video game numbers in the second half of the 2014-15 season. He finished the season averaging 28 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists.

He nearly willed the Thunder into the playoffs with his spectacular performances. He became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to register four consecutive triple-doubles. It’s a shame he didn’t make it to the playoffs.

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A very successful year for the 26-year-old who is from the Los Angeles area. He played High School ball at Leuzinger in Lawndale, CA then continued ballin’ at UCLA. He was drafted with the fourth pick in the NBA draft in 2008.

Westbrook was named MVP at the NBA All-Star game in 2015 after dropping 41 points at the Barclays Center. That recognition set off Russ on his triple-double barrage in the second half of the season. His superhero performances put him in the MVP race alongside LeBron James and eventual winner Stephen Curry.

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) wins the MVP trophy after the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The West defeated the East 163-158. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Personally I am a huge fan of Westbrook. I love his aggression on the court and that he bring his A-game every night. He reminds me a lot of my favorite player Kobe Bryant. He is fearless and relentless when it comes to the playing the game. Always attacking the basket penetrating or dishing the rock to an open teammate. His thunderous dunks as he rips through the paint and his fiery emotion after he scores.

Obviously as a Laker fan I get excited when his name is brought up in trade rumors (fabricated or not). I think he is the ideal candidate to take the mantle from Kobe. Even Bryant respects his game. Bryant doesn’t just praise anyone; he is not shy about giving praise to other players. Westbrook is in that category.

Even Snoop Dogg is recruiting Westbrook to LA via his Instagram (S/O @LASports_),

Also ESPN Analyst Jalen Rose predicted on National TV that Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook will team up in Los Angeles and don the purple and gold at some point in their careers. Take his words with a grain of salt but the rumors will not cease.

Unfortunately Laker fans will have to wait until after the 2016-17 season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Anyways this post is not meant to be a rumors piece. Westbrook is simply one of the most electrifying players in the NBA period. Former MVP Kevin Durant and Westbrook have formed one of the most potent scoring duos in the NBA.

I’m just glad to see the EA franchise highlight one of my favorite players. Keep in mind he’s just entering his prime! I can’t wait to see what he does on the court next season.