BREAKING: Russell Westbrook Sets NBA Record with 42nd Triple-Double of Season

Russell Westbrook stands alone atop the triple-double mountain producing his 42nd such performance this season surpassing Oscar Robertson’s 55 year old single season record.

Unicorn, cyborg, video game character, any of these monikers could describe Russell Westbrook.  Yet, even those terms fail to adequately do him justice.

Russell Westbrook is the rare entity that embodies what is best in the new NBA generation as well as the old.  Perhaps this is precisely why it feels so fitting he is the  player who surpassed Oscar Robertson’s 55 year old record.

It is no stretch to consider Russell Westbrook as an NHL or NFL player.  Energy and attack may be more synonymous with those major sports, but Westbrook offers it on an NBA court.  And, it’s not just that he plays that way sometimes – it’s constant.

Consequently, this is what arguably makes Westbrook so unique. Fans, analysts and scribes expect players like Tony Allen, P.J. Tucker and Marcus Smart to play with wild abandon.  But, to witness a top five talent do it outside the occasional game or playoffs is completely unique to Russell Westbrook.

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Simply put, Russell Westbrook has been sublime this season as a leader and NBA player. Regardless of how great preseason predictions were for him, he shattered those expectations.   Observing his humility, genuine smile, and especially relevant was how much his teammates reveled in his success was telling.

For far too long Westbrook played the evil twin to Durant’s Golden child in OKC.  To witness him finally get the recognition and love for his dedication feels long over due.

Marching Toward History:

Fans and pundits alike kept close watch as Russell Westbrook continued to produce triple-double performances. As each game and month of the season passed it became clear Westbrook was on pace to possibly emulate Oscar Robertson’s 1961-62 season. Robertson’s 41 triple-doubles has stood for 55 years. Moreover, in his record setting year Robertson also averaged a triple-double on the season. The Big O’s stat line in 1961-62 was 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists.

Related: Westbrook second player ever to average seasonal triple-double

When it would have been understandable for Westbrook to get some rest in the last month of the season Russ raised his level of play. Let’s put this in perspective, from March 9 to present day Russell Westbrook has produced 12 triple doubles in 16 games. Furthermore, he recorded the only perfect triple-double in history, the highest scoring triple-double in history, had seven consecutive trip-dubs and spearheaded two huge come from behind wins in Dallas and Orlando. Furthermore,  in three of the games he failed to get a trip-dub he missed out by 2 rebounds, 1 rebound and 2 assists.

His seasonal averages are  31.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists.  Consequently, that’s another benchmark Westbrook has ensured he’ll get is  the 30 point triple-double average.

Russell Westbrook Marches Into History with 42nd Triple-Double of Season:

Entering the match today in Denver, Westbrook had accomplished every conceivable record tied to Oscar Robertson’s miraculous season. Having tied Robertson’s record of 41 triple-doubles in the game versus Milwaukee there was only one record remaining for Russ to slay.  He needed one more triple-double to sit alone atop the mountain.

By the half it seemed inevitable that too would fall given Westbrook exited the court with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Suffice to say, the overwhelming feeling was the countdown for the record was on. The only questions were how long it would take and if the Thunder could also garner the win.

The record fell at 4:17 of the fourth quarter when Westbrook assisted on a made bucket by the unlikeliest of OKC Thunder shooters – Semaj Christon who hit a 3-point shot. At this time his stat line read: 35 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

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Now the discussion of whether his accomplishment is worthy of garnering Westbrook the MVP will grow in earnest. As a result, if you deem the Most Valuable Player to mean without this player the team would be far less viable then Westbrook should be your hands down winner. Yet, that argument can be saved for another day.

As the game wore on each trip down the court seemingly took an eternity as everyone watching held their breath awaiting “the assist”. The tension was palpable as OKC Thunder players kept missing on wide open shots. Hence, with the record in hand, he went back to trying to lead the Thunder to a win.

The Moment and Closing Time:

Ultimately Russell did what he has done so many times this season – with 2.9 seconds remaining on the clock Kyle Singler in-bounded the ball to Steven Adams who handed off to Russell Westbrook. Well behind the 3-point line, Brodie rose up and nailed the 3-point shot for the victory. Immediately, his teammates swarmed him in celebration.

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For the Nuggets fans it was a bittersweet moment as the loss officially knocked them out of the playoffs. Having earmarked Denver as a potential Western dark horse let’s not forget to acknowledge their growth this season. The future is bright in Denver, but today belonged to Russell.

Westbrook finished the game with 50 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and most importantly the 106-105 victory.

I’ve literally run out of superlatives to describe Brodie – quite simply he is the most amazing athlete and basketball player in the game today.

Let’s all revel in this magical season of Westbrook.  For those of us who weren’t old enough to experience Robertson, this season offers memories too copious to count. Each of us were witness to what quite possibly was the best individual NBA season ever delivered.

From everyone at Thunderous Intentions – CONGRATULATIONS Russell Westbrook on your historic triumph.