Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook is accomplishing a feat that hasn't been done in the NBA for 55 years. He is currently averaging a triple-double, which means he's averaging double-digit totals in three different stat categories.Through 21 games, Westbrook is averaging 31.2 points-per-game, 11.3 assists-per-game, and 10.5 rebounds-per-game. His points and assists averages are good for second in the NBA in each category.
The 28-year-old has posted five-straight triple-doubles and 10 for the season in just 21 games. This is as far as anyone has come into an NBA season still averaging a triple-double since Oscar Robertson did it for the entire year in the 1961-62 season for the Cincinnati Royals. Robertson averaged 30.8 ppg, 11.4 apg, and 12.5 rpg.
The term "triple-double" was coined by former Los Angeles Lakers public relations director Bruce Jolesch to describe Magic Johnson's triple-double outbursts in the early 1980s. Magic did not average a triple-double for the entire season, but he came pretty close in 1981-82, when he averaged 18.6 ppg, 9.5 apg, and 9.6 rpg.
What Russell Westbrook has been able to do so far this season is historic. Triple-doubles are a rarity, but he has made them a reality. It is almost expected of him to achieve a triple-double every night now. Most people expected this increase in productivity, especially with his scoring, after the departure of Kevin Durant in the offseason, but what is truly amazing are his rebound totals. Westbrook is only 6-foot-3 and he consistently plays against guys much taller than him. He is not only outrebounding everybody on his team, including center Steven Adams (7'0"), but he is also outrebounding star NBA big-men such as center Demarcus Cousins (6'11"), center Karl-Anthony Towns (7'0"), power-forward Blake Griffin (6'10"), and power-forward Draymond Green (6'7").
Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd, who was a triple-double machine himself, attributed Westbrook's tremendous success to much more than just his obvious athletic gifts. Kidd told NBA.com, “I don’t think the guys get enough credit for [their] basketball IQ. We talk about their talents, being able to jump and score. But just to think the game – and you have to think the game if you’re going to have a triple-double. You just can’t roll out there and roll into 10 rebounds or 10 assists. That’s thinking the game at a very high level and right now you’ve got quite a few guys – Westbrook and LeBron. LeBron has done it for a while now, but they’re on a different page from most of the guys in the league."
Currently in his ninth season, Westbrook is already sixth all-time in career triple-doubles with 47. He trails Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138), Jason Kidd (107), Wilt Chamberlain (78), Larry Bird (59) and he just recently passed LeBron James (45).
Westbrook, the fourth-overall draft pick in 2008, is probably the early favorite to win MVP. He will have some stiff competition from former teammate James Harden, who has four triple-doubles in his own right this year and leads the league in apg. Anthony Davis, who leads the league in ppg and blocks-per-game also figures to compete for the MVP award along with Westbrook, Harden, and the usual suspects like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Whether or not Westbrook is able to maintain his averages for the entire year remains to be seen. If it happens, it will be the first such season in 55 years. If it doesn't happen, it won't be for his lack of effort.
