Meet the Press' Chuck Todd is a 'let Russ cook' kind of guy originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
For one reason or another, Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook has long been one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA.
Whether it was the stat padding seen in Oklahoma City or not being able to help James Harden and the Rockets get over that playoff hump, NBA fans universally have SOME opinion on Westbrook.
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Ahead of Washington's Sunday night game against the Celtics, NBC News and Meet the Press anchor Chuck Todd made his position on the matter clear.
"I would consider myself a Russ-apologist before that was cool," Todd said. "I'm not somebody who said, 'Ah, I didn't like his play but now I like him on the Wizards.' I could argue he's the best pure athlete in the NBA."
Westbrook's insane dynamism and athletic ability was shown in Saturday night's Wizards win against the Timberwolves when the high-motor guard set the franchise single season record for triple doubles in just 24 games played.
"You cannot be that constantly energetic and fast without being in incredible shape. There's part of me wondering - imagine, could he have been an Olympic decathlete?" Todd said.
Whether or not Westbrook's athleticism would allow him to excel at such a grueling Olympic event like the decathlon, Todd borrowed a Twitter catchphrase usually reserved for Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson to describe just how often Westbrook should be given the ball to be a playmaker for this Wizards offense.
"I just love the speed and all of that. I am a 'let Russ cook' kind of guy," Todd said.
Tune in to NBC Sports Washington for the Wizards Sunday night game against the Celtics with pregame coverage beginning at 6 PM.
