The common narrative among NBA fans is that Russell Westbrook pads his rebounding stats. Even his teammates seem to think so.
"He steals rebounds sometimes, but any time you have a guard like that to come back and rebound the way he does...he's able to jump start the break, and a lot of good things happen from there," Carmelo Anthony said recently.
Westbrook's alleged stat-padding came under scrutiny last season, when he managed to average a triple-double. He has a shot at accomplishing the incredible feat again this season—and his rebounding has again come under fire.
Westbrook needs 16 rebounds in the Thunder's Wednesday-night game against the lowly Memphis Grizzlies to average a triple-double. While speaking with reporters Wednesday, Westbrook made it clear he's fed up with hearing comments about him padding his stats.
Russell Westbrook went off a bit on the idea he stat-pads rebounds: “If you don’t want it, I’m gonna get it. Simple as that.” pic.twitter.com/z7BstM154p
"A lot of people make jokes about stat-padding or going to get rebounds," Westbrook said. "If people could get 20 rebounds every night, they would. If people could get 15 rebounds, they would. People that are talking, saying whatever they need to say, they should try doing it and seeing how hard it is... I'm tired of hearing the same old rebound this, stealing rebounds, all this shit.
"If I get to the ball faster than somebody else gets to it, that's just what it is. If you don't want it, I'm gonna get it. Simple as that."
Westbrook is currently averaging 25.6 points, 10.1 assists, and 9.9 rebounds per game, in addition to 1.8 steals.
Last season Westbrook garnered MVP honors. After his historic campaign, he signed a five-year, $205 million extension with Oklahoma City.
The Thunder (47-34) currently hold the West's No. 7 seed, though a lot could change before the playoffs get underway Saturday.
