The Attributes That Make Russell Westbrook Elite

For a team to have success in today's NBA, it is imperative to have a good point guard. The point guard is the facilitator, the general, the leader and the quarterback.

In that regard, the Oklahoma City Thunder are set with Russell Westbrook in command.

There was once a time when Westbrook was accused of holding the Thunder back from a championship. But hopefully those accusations were vanquished in the 2013 postseason when the Westbrook-less Thunder lost their Western Conference semifinals series with the Memphis Grizzles in five games.

It proved that Westbrook is not a hindrance to the Thunder, but he is the motor that makes them go.

With the Thunder-are-better-without-Westbrook myth put to rest, we can finally give Westbrook credit for being the top-three NBA point guard that he is. And while labeling an athlete as a top-three player in his or her position is sure to spark disagreement and debate, I can give five reasons why Westbrook is deserving of the label.

Westbrook has an explosive style of play and a volatile demeanor to go with it. He is not a traditional point guard because he has a score-first mentality, and that's perfectly fine. Being an elite point guard does not mean you have to look to pass first like the Tony Parkers, Chris Pauls or Rajon Randos of the NBA. If those players had the physical abilities that Westbrook has, they would be looking to score first as well.

With that in mind, here are five reasons why Westbrook is a top-three NBA point guard.

1. Explosive Ability

Westbrook is one of the hardest players to guard because of his explosive ability.

He can attack at any time and from anywhere with his freakish speed and athleticism. He is constantly looking for openings in opposing defenses, and they do not have to be very big for him to get through.

Westbrook makes it tough on opposing teams because defenders constantly have to fear his ability to attack the rim. It is nearly impossible to guard Westbrook one-on-one but putting more bodies on him opens up his teammates. So there is not a perfect strategy for defending a player like Westbrook who can attack from anywhere.

2. Fearlessness

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The perfect word to describe Westbrook's game is "fearless."

He is not afraid to put his body in harm's way when he attacks the basket, despite the recent knee and hand injuries he has suffered in the past couple years.

Westbrook's aggressive style might be misconstrued as recklessness, but that would suggest he does not think or care about the consequences of his actions. The truth is that Westbrook is the ultimate competitor. He does everything he can to win games and he believes he has the ability to score at any time.

There is no other point guard in the NBA with the physical and mental advantages of Westbrook, so why would you have it any other way?

3. Pull-Up Jumper

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One of the biggest reasons Westbrook is so difficult to guard is because he has enough body control to completely stop on a drive and pull up for a jumper.

And even though his jump shooting is streaky, it poses another problem for defenders. They already have their hands full trying to keep Westbrook from driving to the basket for an easy layup or dunk, but his capability to sink jumpers gives them more reason to second-guess themselves.

And once Westbrook gets in a rhythm with his jump shots, he is most dangerous. A defender's best option is to give Westbrook space so he can't be beaten on the drive, but that strategy doesn't work if Westbrook makes open jump shots.

4. Opens Up Teammates

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Just having Westbrook on the floor opens up players on the Thunder. Opposing defenders have no choice but to send extra bodies on Westbrook, therefore leaving open teammates for Westbrook to dish to for wide-open shots or drives.

Westbrook receives more attention from defenders than most other point guards in the NBA. The chaos he brings is one of the Thunder's biggest offensive weapons. He will undoubtedly be looking to score for the majority of the time in games, but he is also capable of facilitating by hitting the open man when multiple defenders close on him.

5. Physical Attributes

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What sets Westbrook apart from other point guards the most is his physical ability.

No other point guard can compare to Westbrook's overall athletic attributes: size, strength, speed and agility. He is what many would consider to be a freak of nature. And his physical attributes give him an advantage over every other point guard in the NBA.