Russell Westbrook 4x All-NBA First Team
Three times the league's best: Westbrook defined an era of Thunder basketball.
Between 2016 and 2018, Russell Westbrook earned three consecutive All-NBA First Team honors with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Associated Press tallied votes from sportswriters and broadcasters for these spots, which name the top players at each position in the league. For OKC fans, these nods highlighted a personal surge where he became a triple-double machine while leading a young squad into the playoffs every single year.
Quick Facts
- Award years
- 2016, 2017, 2018
- Significance
- First Thunder player in franchise history to earn multiple First Team selections
Lore & Background
The subsequent years cemented his legacy as an unstoppable force. In 2016, his numbers exploded while he and Kevin Durant led the Thunder to a 55-27 record, securing his first First Team spot. By 2017, after Durant's departure, he averaged a historic triple-double and earned his second selection. These three selections represent the absolute zenith of his time in Oklahoma City, symbolizing a period where the Thunder were feared by every opposing bench.
Reader's Guide
The path to four First Team selections was paved with consistent excellence and record-breaking performances. In 2014, Westbrook averaged 23 points and 7 assists, proving his two-way value. The following year, he maintained elite production while helping the Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals. In 2016, the narrative shifted to pure domination as Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the season, a feat that shocked analysts and secured his third First Team honor. This was followed by another stellar campaign in 2017 where he continued to lead the league in assists and scoring, earning his fourth consecutive selection. Each award ceremony highlighted the Thunder's resilience and Westbrook's growth from a high-energy rookie into a franchise cornerstone. These honors are not just plaques; they represent four years where no other guard could match his all-around impact on the game.
Did You Know?
- Westbrook is one of only a handful of players in NBA history to make the First Team three times in a row while playing for the same franchise.
- During this streak, he became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season (2016-17).
- His 2016 selection came during a season where the Thunder finished 55-27 (3rd in the Western Conference) and reached the Western Conference Finals.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in Oklahoma City Thunder
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced