Clan-Members » ve rebound and was fouled when he scored on a layup

Oscar Robertsons 1961-62 season lives in basketball lore as the lone year in NBA history for a player to average a triple-double. The question of whether well ever see another player average a triple-double is akin to hitting .400 in baseball --although that feat has been accomplished 28 times -- so the feat actually proves even more elusive.Robertson surely benefited from a distinctly different style of play in that era, as NBA teams averaged far more possessions and thus significantly more statistical opportunities in the early 1960s. For some context, in the 1961-62 season, NBA teams averaged 63 percent more rebounds and 15 percent more points per game than last years team rates.This gap in opportunity rates is what makes Russell Westbrooks 18 triple-doubles last season so wholly impressive, as it marked the most such statistical efforts in a season since Magic Johnsons MVP run in 1988-89. However arbitrary earning a triple-double might appear, the idea is that meeting this threshold demands amazing statistical diversity from a single player. No other player in the current NBA offers such a robust statistical skill set as Westbrook, which is why hes the next theoretical candidate to join Robertsons historic accomplishment.Westbrook should unequivocally be the top pick in fantasy drafts for the upcoming season -- an argument well advocate for throughout this piece.In addition to rocking the most daring fashion choices in the league, or even all of professional sports, Westbrook is a unique statistical force on the court. In the sections below, we detail the supremely rare combination of floor and ceiling Westbrook claims for the upcoming campaign.UsageAs fantasy mangers, we are looking for the coveted combination of opportunity and talent. In this portion, we canvas just how rich Westbrooks opportunity for production proves.We causally refer to usage rate in the modern lexicon of the league, but for clarity, its the estimate of the percentage of team plays consumed by a player while on the court. Its essentially a measure of how often a player participates in the conclusion of a possession; thus field goals, assists, turnovers and free throws all factor prominently in the algorithm for usage.Simply put, Westbrook is a usage monster. Its even what hes dressing as for Halloween this year. The UCLA product has finished first in usage rate in each of the past three seasons and has produced a top-three rate in each of the past six seasons. This proves even more impressive when we consider hes done so alongside fellow usage hog Kevin Durant, who has finished in the top nine in usage rate in five of the past six seasons, including finishing second to Westbrook in 2013-14.Going even deeper into advanced data, Westbrook ranked seventh in the league last season with 88.8 touches per game and more relevantly fifth in frontcourt touches (77.7), per the NBAs player tracking index. Westbrook was second only to Damian Lillard in time of possession per game, with his hands on the ball for 8.1 minutes per game last year.With Durant in the Bay with the Warriors, its safe to assume Westbrook is the odds-on-favorite to again lead the NBA in usage, touches and time of possession this year, if not set career-highs in these advanced metrics.DrivingAs aggressive player with the ball the league as ever seen, as evidenced by this ridiculous bounding slam against F.C. Barcelona in exhibition play, Westbrook could also set a career-best in drives per game. He ranked eighth last season in drives per game and sixth in points and assists off drives. This included a rich 50.7 percent shooting clip on drives, while finishing fifth in free throw attempts per drive. No one in the NBA can stay in front of Westbrook, which he seems to confidently know.PassingWestbrook took his passing production to new heights last season, ranking second in the league in assists per game while leading the NBA in assist-to-pass ratio, with 17.8 percent of his passes resulting in an assist. Chris Paul was second among players with at least 15 games played last year with 16.1 percent rate, for some context among elite passing peers.ReboundsTruly relentless when the ball caroms off the rim, Westbrook is one of best rebounding guards of his generation. Westbrook finished first among NBA guards in rebounds per game by 27.8 percent. This was due in part to averaging a guard-best 12.1 rebounding chances per game -- defined as being within three feet of an available board. This opportunity rate is eight percent more rebounding chances than any other NBA guard last season.ScoringThe dude gets buckets not only via the drive, but in the mid-range phase, as well. Westbrook was 10th in the league in pull-up points with 7.1 per game and ninth in scoring last season. He won the scoring title in 2014-14 at 28.1 points per game and is a leading contender to net his second scoring crown this year given the volume uptick he could see with Durant off the roster.ConclusionLets get to the meat of the argument, which is to reveal the fact Westbrook has averaged 28 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists in 61 career games without Durant in the lineup. Westbrooks already epic offensive profile enters NBA2K rates when Durant has been sidelined in the past. While Victor Oladipo is a capable complementary scorer, hes clearly not going to consume Durants massive offensive share of the Thunders offense.Other candidates for the top pick deserve credit, as the Warriors Stephon Curry provides unreal differentiation in 3-point production, scoring, steals and Sportscenter highlights. Yet we can assume the presence of Durant on Golden State could lower the offensive volume for both superstars on the leagues prominent super-team. LeBron James could see his minutes managed to a defeating degree for our greedy fantasy purposes, while Chris Paul produces a lower usage rate and lower production rates with Blake Griffin on the court. Big men Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns are truly elite assets, but dont offer the cost certainty Westbrook claims.The main challenger for the top spot is likely Houstons James Harden, who could similarly enjoy awesome usage and output rates as the de facto point guard for Mike DAntonis up-tempo scheme. Westbrook claims a sizable advantage in rebounding over Harden, but lacks his 3-point prowess. In fact, 3-point production is the Achilles of Westbrooks fantasy profile, yet one we can easily address with some shooting specialists later in drafts.Can Westbrook average a triple-double this year? Its incredibly unlikely, but hes a real contender to match some of Johnsons epic assist and rebounding rates from the Showtime Lakers while also scoring at an Iversonian clip. Already fourth on the Player Rater last season with Durant siphoning a demanding share of touches and shots, Westbrook should top the board this season while contending for career highs across the board.You want cost certainty with the top pick. You want an elite ceiling and a bankable high floor. Westbrook is the player who offers these coveted elements in one historically entertaining package. Custom San Francisco Giants Jerseys Cheap . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Custom Colorado Rockies Jerseys Cheap . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. http://www.baseballjerseyscustom.com/custom-detroit-tigers-jerseys-cheap-286c . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Custom San Diego Padres Jerseys Cheap . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Malcolm Hill made sure Illinois didnt repeat past mistakes in the final minutes of the teams 85-77 win over IUPUI on Tuesday night.When the Jaguars Darell Combs banked in a 3-point shot with 2:24 left in the game, Hill had a flashback to Illinois 84-80 loss to Winthrop. Hill took charge and scored 32 points -- 23 in the second half -- to help the Illini hold off the Jaguars.Put the ball in his hands, Tracy Abrams said. Hes a great player, one of the best in the country, and we have to give him the ball.Illinois (7-3) shot 55 percent from the field and 7 of 16 from 3-point range.The Illini opened with a 10-0 run but committed eight turnovers, allowing IUPUI to rally to a 42-41 halftime lead.Mike Thorne Jr. hit a jumper, Hill dunked and Illinois pulled ahead in the second half by shooting 60 percent from the field.Leron Black scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He was a presence throughout the game, including a key rebound with 23 seconds left, despite battling foul trouble.Although Illinois won, coach John Groce said he wasnt pleased with his teams effort.I feel fortunate we were able to get out of there with a win, Groce said. We didnt have the same edge we have on Saturday . we made too many mistakes.Matt OLeary led IUPUI (3-6) with 25 points, shooting 7 of 15 from the field and 4 of 9 from beyond the arc.The Jaguars also kept the battle at the board close, losing 29-28.CIUPUI coach Jason Gardner said he wasnt happy with the end result but was proud of the way his team fought back after falling to a 10-0 Illini start.We gave ourselves a chance to be right there, Gaardner said.dddddddddddd You never want to be excited about losses, but I think its one of those deals where I was pleased with their performance and how they played tonight.BIG PICTUREIllinois: The Illini have rebounded well after a week where they went 0-3. If Illinois can win out the rest of its nonconference schedule -- Central Michigan, BYU and Missouri -- the team will be in good shape heading into Big Ten play.IUPUI: The Jaguars will try to salvage a difficult road trip. They face a few challenging games, including one against Northwestern, before returning to equal competition.ROLE PLAYERD.J. Williams played eight minutes and scored five points off the bench. The sophomore has recently found it hard to get some playing time, but he provided some energy when the Illini lacked some.TURNING POINTMike Thorne brought in an offensive rebound and was fouled when he scored on a layup with 5:22 left in the game and the score tied at 68. He made the free throw and the Illini followed that up with a Hill breakaway layup to take a 73-68 lead.HE SAID ITEvery good team has that one crazy person and (Leron Black) is our crazy person. Malcolm Hill.UP NEXTIllinois: The fighting Illini have the next few days off before entering the final stretch of their nonconference season when they play Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon.IUPUI: The Jaguars finishes their six-game road trip against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '