How many rings does Russell Westbrook have?

When it comes to dynamic powerful scorers of this era, Russell Westbrook’s name would certainly be in the discussion. Known for his explosive athleticism and relentless playing style, Westbrook has been one of the most electrifying players in the NBA. Throughout his illustrious career, Westbrook has achieved numerous individual accolades, including MVP awards and triple-double records. However, the one accomplishment that has eluded him thus far is an NBA championship.

With a strong resume, Westbrook is no wonder one of the influential players in the NBA, but like many other Hall of Famers, he is yet to win an NBA championship. We will delve into Russell Westbrook's journey in pursuit of an NBA championship, exploring his impact, notable playoff runs, and the ongoing quest to win the Championship ring.

Russell Westbrook rings and career

The UCLA starlet was 4th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonic (later relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder). His explosive playing style and relentless work ethic caught the attention of NBA scouts, while he was at UCLA. Entering the league, Westbrook continued with his form and quickly established himself as one of the league's most dynamic guards.

At the OKC team, who already had superstar in making – Kevin Durant, Westbrook formed an unstoppable offensive force at such a young age. Westbrook propelled the Thunder to multiple deep playoff runs. The team even reached the NBA Finals in 2012, marking Westbrook's first taste of the championship stage.

But the mighty Miami Heat team was too hot to handle and young Westbrook left empty handed in the 2012. Despite falling short, Westbrook's exceptional performances showcased his ability to impact the game on both ends of the court.

In subsequent seasons, Westbrook's partnership with Durant continued to flourish, leading to several memorable playoff battles. They again came close to wrapping up the team's 5th overall conference title, but Warriors’ shooting flurry handed them another series defeat, this time with 3-1 lead.

Sole carrier of Oklahoma City Thunders team

After the departure of fellow stars like James Harden and Kevin Durant, Westbrook stayed with OKC and gave even bigger stat-lines that are hard to imagine. In the 2016-2017 season, he made history by averaging a triple-double, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to achieve this feat. Westbrook's unmatched intensity and ability to fill the stat sheet solidified his status as one of the game's most dominant forces.

His unwavering determination and relentless playing style continued to captivate fans and earn him accolades, including multiple All-Star selections and All-NBA team honors. He not only led the team in scoring but in assists and constantly delivered triple-double performances to keep his team in the playoffs picture. Westbrook currently holds the record for most triple-doubles (198) in NBA history, and earned the name “triple-double machine” for his emphatic gameplay.

Change of scenario – same impact

In 2019, Westbrook joined the Houston Rockets, teaming up with James Harden in a bid to contend for an NBA championship. Despite their formidable pairing and impressive regular-season performances, the Rockets faced playoff disappointments, failing to advance past the Western Conference Finals.

Russell Westbrook then moved to Washington Wizards to join forces with Bradley Beal. Despite his 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.3 rebounds performances, Wizards finished 8th in the Eastern conference and were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

Westbrook later moved to his native place – LA and formed a superteam with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, who won the 2020 NBA championship. The mega deal was widely talked about as a shrewd move by the franchise, giving them a clear shot at the NBA championship.

But Westbrook’s style of play didn’t match with the Lakers’ policies, resulting in a poor show, 1st time in his illustrious career. He couldn’t make it to the postseason with the Lakers and moved to city rivals Clippers in the next season.

With Kwahi Leonard and Paul George, Clippers also had a potent team to lift the NBA championship, but injuries limited their playoff run, and were eliminated by Phoenix Suns in the 1st round.

Although Westbrook had great teams and teammates, NBA championship has always slipped out of his hand. Injuries, poor form or stronger opponents had been his main nemesis in that period. But no one can question his individual performances in those Championship runs.

While an NBA championship is the ultimate team goal, Russell Westbrook's impact on the game extends beyond this elusive title. His unmatched intensity, competitive spirit, and record-breaking performances have left an indelible mark on the NBA. Westbrook's relentless pursuit of greatness, coupled with his philanthropic endeavors off the court, has solidified his legacy as one of the game's most influential figures – making a cut into the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team in 2022.