No player in the NBA has averaged a triple-double since Oscar Robertson averaged one for the Cincinnati Royals during 1961 to 1962 season. This year Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder is looking to become the first person to achieve this amazing accomplishment.
Through his first 41 games, he has 19 triple doubles, averaging 31.5 points 10.5 assists and 10.7 rebounds.
Despite the departure of Kevin Durant, Westbrook has managed to keep the Thunder competitive in the Western Conference. They currently sit at 7th with a 24-17 record. It’s Westbrook’s competitive nature and fire that has fueled his great season and team’s success.
Even with Durant in OKC, you could see the competitive nature in Westbrook. He wanted to be the top dog above everyone else. He has that look of somebody who is always ready to kill and will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. He plays with the most fire out of any player in the league and has played with a chip on his shoulder since he entered the association.
After Durant left, there were many who thought that Westbrook might leave to do the same. He quickly put that idea to rest saying he would never join a super team. That attitude was complimented by Michael Jordan, who loves Westbrook’s attitude and fire on the court.
The way Westbrook controls the offense in OKC puts him in a position to put up the great numbers we have seen up to this point in the year. He is able to dominate the ball, distribute to teammates and he has always been an aggressive rebounder and a tough defender.
The scariest part about Westbrook is that he does not care about his league leading 19 triple doubles. The only thing on his mind is winning. That is very frightening when you think about it. A player who can drop a triple-double on any given night but does not care should be the most feared player in the league. He is not out there hunting numbers or stats, he is doing everything in his power to get the victory. Even if he can only fill his tank up halfway, you know that tank will be emptied before the game is over.
When you look at a player like Westbrook, you have to see he is the most dangerous player in the association. He plays with the competitive nature comparable to Jordan, Kobe, and Iverson. He has the ability to up triple doubles like the greats such as Oscar, Magic, Kidd and LeBron.
A player with that ability with that competitive nature should be feared every time he steps on the court.
