Russell Westbrook’s revenge tour began in the summer after Kevin Durant left him for the Warriors. Russ has been a one man wrecking crew. He is currently averaging a triple double while leading his talent stricken Thunder team to a wining record. After a recent dust up with Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, Russ now has his sights set on another foe.
NBA Beef Alert! In a recent game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook showed just how much he dislikes Jazz center Rudy Gobert. Westbrook always plays with an edge, but he had a little something extra for the 7-foot Frenchman.
This is probably the best missed dunk in NBA history. Gobert is arguably the best defensive center in the league and at least 7 feet tall – and there have been MANY greats over the years, just like these guys…
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Source: Riot Games Flickr
Artis Gilmore 7’2″ (1971-1988)
The A-Train is probably the best player you've never heard of. Spent a good portion of his career playing in the ABA, but managed to make 6 All Star Games, and finished his career with the third highest field goal percentage in league history. He also had a pretty gnarly afro. (Source: Twitter)
Hakeem Olajuwon 7’0″ (1985-2002)
There's speculation that he wasn't 7'0" tall, but the internet says he is, so it must be true. Hakeem The Dream was an absolute stud, and most of the best big men in league history. And for what it's worth, "The Dream Shake" is the coolest name for any type of athletic move. (Source: Twitter)
Shaquille O’Neal 7’1″ (1992-2011)
If I had to pick a starting 5 with any players in NBA history, I have to go with Shaq as my center. I was always more of a Kobe guy and even sided with him in their breakup, but The Diesel was the most dominant big man, maybe even player, in NBA history, but he's not funny. That's a fact. (Source: Twitter)
David Robinson 7’1″ (1989-2003)
The Admiral would have been the best player in Spurs history if it wasn't for Tim Duncan, but man was Robinson awesome. Won 2 NBA titles and an MVP award as part of his awesome career. He also went to Navy, which is pretty bad ass. (Source: Twitter)
Kristaps Porzingis 7’3″ (2015-Present)
The savior of my Knicks, the man that will lead us to the promise land (or when James Dolan gets hit by a bus). The Big Zingis is a lot like Dirk, and has only gotten better since he's been in the league. Too bad the rest of the Knicks around him are a pile of dog shit. (Source: Twitter)
None of this matters to Westbrook, who was looking to end Gobert’s life on a monster jam. If you watch until the end of the video, you can see Gobert waiving his finger like he did something to stop that dunk. His face tells another story, there is a clear look of relief. Gobert knows Westbrook was inches away from snatching his soul right out of his body.
Gobert is no offensive juggernaut, but he is having a breakout season and is easily a top 5 center. Doesn’t matter how good your defense is, though – some players just got that juice and no amount of defense is gonna stop them from driving to the hoop. Where does Russ fit into this pantheon of the best dunkers ever?
Vince Carter
Air Canada, Vinsanity, Half Man Half Amazing, whatever else you want to call him, just know that Vince Carter is the best dunker in NBA history, facts only. Is 2000 Dunk Contest performance was an iconic sports moment, but his greatest dunk came that same year in the Olympics when he literally jumped over a 7'0" dude from France. Love VC, and love to see him still doing it in the league. (Source: Twitter)
Dominique Wilkins
Here's a hot take to dummies out there, but people who know basketball know that Dominque was a better dunker than MJ. He was robbed in the 1988 Dunk Contest because it was in Chicago and they had to give it to Jordan. But besides all of that, the Human Highlight Film was an absolute beast. He literally created the Windmill (I think) which is one of my favorite dunks. (Source: Twitter)
Clyde Drexler
Clyde The Glide (another sweet nickname by the way) was an awesome ball player, and a great dunker. Did he ever win a Dunk Contest? No he did not, but he would not hesitate to dunk all up in your face if you got in his way during a game. The only bad part of his career was getting sh-t on by Jordan in the 1992 NBA Finals, but he eventually won a championship with the Rockets, so I guess it's not too bad. (Source: Twitter)
Kobe Bryant
I'm a Knicks fan, but Kobe is my all time favorite player. Ruthless competitor, and I love anyone who takes 100 shots a game and is a dick to his teammates. One of his manny accolades is a Dunk Contest win back in 1997, but he could also throw down a huge dunk during a game, like he did on that b-tch Dwight Howard. (Source: Twitter)
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Source: HLTV
Shawn Kemp
Kemp may not have had the career that people that he was going to have, and yes he got into some legal issues off the court, but the man was awesome with the Sonics in the 90s, and was just a disgusting dunker of the basketball. I can look past your mistakes Shawn Kemp, you're good by me, bruh. (Source: Twitter)
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Source: Riot Flickr
Team Alliance
Source: Riot Flickr
Westbrook laughed off the thought of Gobert as an offensive threat, setting the table for their eventual collision course. Westbrook eventually got the last laugh as well, knocking down a game winner to give the Thunder a 97-95 victory.
SEE ALSO: Dion Waiters knocks down incredible game-winner to beat Warriors
Russell continues to do amazing things on the court, and it now seems like he’s out to destroy opposing players on a nightly basis. Russ continues his no new friends policy, adding Gobert to the list of players he has no love for. This makes the upcoming all-star game more interesting. Gobert could potentially join Westbrook and Durant on the Western Conference team. Has anybody tried to dunk on their own teammate during a game? I wouldn’t put it past Russell Westbrook.
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