With Derrick Rose undergoing another surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee, Russell Westbrook has been referenced as a reason for optimism.

Westbrook underwent three surgeries following his torn meniscus suffered during the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Westbrook has inarguably been one of the NBA's best players since the third surgery from December of 2013. Westbrook had a PER of 24.6 while playing all 82 games during the 12-13 season.

PER by Month

November 2013: 16.8

December 2013: 24.7

(third surgery)

February 2014: 24.8

March 2014: 30.9

April 2014: 31.3

Playoffs 2014: 28.6

December 2014: 30.0

January 2015: 19.9

February 2015: 35.0

Rose's production has been consistently down from his MVP levels since returning from a torn ACL. 

10-11/14-15

PER: 23.6/15.9

TS%: .550/.496

AST%: 38.6/29.8

FTr: .348/.224

Dunks Per Game: 0.39/0.09

(Westbrook: 0.52 in 12-13/0.77 in 14-15)