"Russell Westbrook is a popular pick to be the breakout player of these playoffs.

Um, Earth to the NBA pundits - he's already been there, done that.

The Thunder point guard created quite the buzz a year ago against the Lakers. He made his presence known. He laid the groundwork for being chosen as an All-Star this season.

There were times against the Lake Show that Westbrook was the best player on the court.

Talk about a breakout.

How can a guy who's already had a playoff breakout be the breakout player of these playoffs?

I don't buy it.

But I don't think the playoff prognosticators are all wrong about Westbrook. They say he's going to be big. They say he's going to dominate.

That, I can buy.

For all the talk about Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka heading into this first-round series against Denver, no one may be bigger for the Thunder than Westbrook. He's got a favorable matchup and a playoff affinity.

We saw that love of the playoffs a year ago. While some of his teammates were struggling with the physicality and the immediacy of the playoffs, Westbrook thrived in that atmosphere.

"I like to step up when we need the extra push," he said."