Russell Westbrook continues his awe inspiring march toward history and ‘The Big O’ -Oscar Robertson.
After posting the first ever perfect triple-double — no missed free throws or field goal attempts — Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, Russell Westbrook is now just six triple-doubles shy of Oscar Roberton’s single-season record (41), which came in the 1961-1962 season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder now have 11 games left, which means in order for Westbrook to break Robertson’s record, he’ll have to record a triple-double in seven of those games.
Recording seven triple-doubles in 11 games is a tall task for a mere mortal. But, luckily for those hoping to see him break the record, Westbrook is far from a mere mortal.
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Lending credence to Westbrook’s being immortal is the fact that he’s appeared in all 71 of the Thunder’s games this season. Showing up for work sounds like it should be commonplace, but in today’s NBA where rest is a top priority and of the utmost concern, this is quite the feat. Stars all across the league are sitting out in preparation for the playoffs. But not Westbrook. He just keeps moving forward.
Westbrook the Enigma:
Not only is Westbrook showing up for work every day, but he’s busting his tail once he’s there. He’s currently posting the highest usage rate (41.6 percent) of all time.
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Westbrook is defying human limitations while simultaneously putting together a stat line the likes of which we haven’t seen since the 1960s. That’s straight up alienistic.
While Westbrook’s torrid triple-double pace has him close to beating the aforementioned long-standing single-season record and is pushing him closer and closer to the Maurice Podoloff MVP trophy, it’s also helping his team rack up the wins and inch closer to possible home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
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In games that Westbrook has recorded a triple-double this season, the Thunder are 29-6 (.828). In games that Westbrook failed to record a triple-double this season, the Thunder are 12-24 (.333). That’s about the difference between the 57-15 top-seeded Golden State Warriors and the 20-51 already-eliminated-from-playoff-contention Los Angeles Lakers
So for all those pushing the notion that Westbrook is simply a stat-padder looking for individual accolades, think again. His triple-doubles go a long way in determining whether or not the Thunder will be going home with a victory.
Westbrook is hot on the tail of the Big O. He’ll have to eclipse his season-long pace in order to pass Robertson, but that’s nothing an alien like Russ’ can’t handle.