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Russell Westbrook is a national treasure. We detailed last season how his thermonuclear outburst on the NBA was one of the best stories in sports. 

More recently, Westbrook's pre-game handshakes with Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Cameron Payne have become a favorite among NBA fans. The duo always performs an elaborate, goofy, joyous routine at mid-court just before tip-off. Even against some cheap defense, it turns out. 

Before the Thunder played the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, Dallas forward Charlie Villanueva tried to psyche Westbrook out by getting in the way of his pre-game dance with Payne. But Westbrook would not be denied. 

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That's dedication. That's tenacity. That's perseverance. 

You cannot stop Russell Westbrook, you can only hope to contain him -- in both basketball and in dancing.

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