One of the wildest developments here in the waning days of NBA season is just how close Russell Westbrook was to averaging a triple-double for the second year in a row. It’s a statistical feat that no one thought was even possible in the modern NBA, yet Westbrook bulldozed his way to that accomplishment in 2016-17 and, very quietly, was very close going into the last game of the 2017-18 season.
He entered OKC’s regular-season final against the Grizzlies needing just 16 rebounds to do it again. Early in the third quarter, Russ corralled his 16th board and once again made history.
Perhaps the most astounding part of this is that’s essentially an afterthought. Westbrook, like LeBron James, has spoiled us with his eye-popping stat lines. We’ve come to both expect them and take them for granted.
Certainly, some of the ongoing criticism against Westbrook is warranted. Even teammate Carmelo Anthony jokingly admitted that he’s guilty of “chasing” rebounds and/or just outright stealing them at times. Just like he did on this play on Wednesday night.
But Melo also points out that good things often happen when Westbrook grabs defensive rebounds. In general, it bears reminding that OKC tends to be more successful when Westbrook logs a triple-double.
Granted, padding your individual stats for personal glory is unbecoming, but there’s a reason no one had averaged a triple-double for an entire season since Oscar Robertson did it in 1962. Very few players would actually be capable of it, no matter how hard they tried (maybe LeBron earlier in his career).
Regardless of how you feel about it, Westbrook’s accomplishment will forever be etched in the annals of basketball lore.
