Russell Westbrook Triple-Double Watch: Game 22, in Atlanta
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is threatening to become the first NBA player to average a triple-double since Cincinnati Royals Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson achieved the double-figure points, assists and rebounds mark during the 1961-62 NBA season. A lot has changed in the league since then, which is why Westbrook’s current averages of 32 points, 11.3 assists and 10.8 rebounds would make such a feat a remarkable achievement in line with some of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history. If not the greatest individual season in NBA history.
As Westbrook takes on each new opponent while the OKC season drawls on, we’ll be updating his chances at matching the Big O’s feat.
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We’d had a few days away from Russell, and the Watch, prior to his work in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night. Westbrook continued the drive against E’Twaun Moore and company, contributing 28 points, 17 assists, 12 rebounds and a steal against New Orleans in the 101-92 win.
He also added … ten turnovers!
The quadruple-double! The Shawn Kemp Memorial Quadruple-Double With Turnovers!
(Note: Shawn Kemp never actually reached a quadruple-double, with turnovers. But he did add the occasional triple-doubles with turnovers, alas, the tribute.)
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Also, yes, whatever: Russell Westbrook became the first player since Michael Jordan’s bombastic near-point guard year in 1988-89 to notch a triple-double in five straight games. Of course, Jordan’s march came late in his team’s season that year, with then-Bulls coach Doug Collins beset by injuries and ineffectiveness in his backcourt.
Russell’s work? It’s been the design since July.
Following the contest, and our re-introduction to his ways, Westbrook minimized his effort:
“I just play, honestly,” Westbrook said. “I don’t want to get into a conversation if I’m going to do it every night. I just want to go out and compete at a high level, like I’ve been doing since I’ve been in the NBA.”
This isn’t exactly dismissive, nor a showy batch of confidence and preening passed off as sublimation so as not to look too aware of what he’s done so far.
Russell Westbrook, honestly, just plays. And when you take away Kevin Durant and pretense in equal amounts, this is what happens.
(For a look at where the NBA sits, in its top-heavy order, in 2016-17, also understand that New Orleans big man Anthony Davis “just plays,” as well. And when you share a Pelican frontcourt with Omer Asik and Solomon Hill – combined five points on 1-8 shooting with six rebounds in nearly 49 minutes on Sunday – you tend to draw up nights like this: 37 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, two steals, two assists for Davis in the loss.)
Just three episodes into this particular Watch, and we’re a little short of descriptive phrases to turn and nail you with, which is why we’ll rely on Thunder center Enes Kanter (via Royce Young at ESPN) to appropriately document what we’ve seen thus far:
“I don’t think I have any word to describe him, man. [English] is my second language. I don’t think there’s any word to describe his play.”
Whoops. Left with no help from his Thunder teammates, we move on.
Atlanta will act as the team’s next opponent, as the Thunder loses an hour on its way to play the Hawks in Georgia on the second night of a back-to-back. OKC has yet to play ATL this season, with new starter Dennis Schroeder in at point guard and Dwight Howard now safely set at center.
The Hawks split the season series with the Thunder last year at 1-1, with Paul Millsap (injured, beset by hip maladies, in Monday’s contest) adding 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the lone win. Westbrook averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.5 steals and four turnovers a game in two contests in 2015-16.
Totals in place, Westbrook is in no danger of dropping below the triple-double mark with a bad game against Atlanta. And a Russell Westbrook-styled game has him well on his way toward eclipsing Michael Jordan.
Topping MJ at anything? Worth keeping an eye on.
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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!