Russell Westbrook poised to join an elite quintet in 2019-20

Tony Parker added his name to the list of surprise retirement announcements this season. Parker’s achievements place him in an elite group of five; a group OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook is likely to equal this coming season.

This past season was Tony Parker‘s 18th and the lone year he suited up for a different franchise. The Frenchman was among the very best at his position and redefined playing under the rim in the new era of the NBA. In review of his career achievements, he joins an elite group and remarkably that group should welcome another member next season – OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook!

Specifically, Parker’s leaves the game as one of only five players who’ve scored over 19,000 points and dished 7,000 assists in their careers. His totals are 19,473 points and 7,036 assists. The other four players are:

• LeBron James with 32,543 points and 8,662 assists in 15 seasons.
• Oscar Robertson with 26,710 points and 9,887 assists in 14 seasons.
• Gary Payton with 32,543 points and 8,966 assists in 17 seasons.
• John Stockton with 21,893 points and 15,806 assists in 19 seasons.

Westbrook poised to join elite group this coming season:

To put in perspective just how amazing Russell Westbrook is, after just 10 seasons he needs only 141 points and 103 assists to join these five players. Granted an argument could be made the new era of basketball makes it easier for players to score and rack up dimes. Yet, this falls into the same debate regarding stat padding and the equally compelling evidence if these benchmarks are so simple to reach then these mini groups wouldn’t be so exclusive.

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For example, Chris Paul, long considered one of the top performing point guards ever has played four additional seasons to Westbrook and yet he still needs 1,403 points to join this elite group. Likewise, James Harden who has one less season under his belt than Westbrook needs 2,257 assists to become a member of the club.

Then consider the fact Westbrook has pulled down 5,760 rebounds in his 10 years and compare that robust stat to the quintet. It’s not surprising LeBron has amassed 8,880 rebounds given his position and size. Or that the marvelous Big O collected 7,804 rebounds in 14 seasons.

It’s reasonable to assume Russ will collect the 2,084 rebounds necessary to match Robertson with another four campaigns given he’s averaged over 800 rebounds each of the past three seasons. As for the other members of the list Westbrook has already surpassed the trio of Payton (5,626), Stockton (4,051) and Parker (3,396) rebound totals.

However, you want to view Westbrook’s stats there is no denying when he finally hangs up the kicks he’ll belong in rare company and quite possibly be viewed with more reverence than he is while he’s still playing.

For all of Westbrook’s accomplishments and records still to be set, Tony Parker exits the NBA with the one thing the Brodie covets more than anything – rings. Parker won four titles with the San Antonio Spurs.

T.I. wishes Parker the best in whatever endeavors he partakes in off the hardwood and will fondly remember how integral he was to quarterbacking what I’ve fondly deemed “the symphonic ball movement era’ of the Spurs.