Despite being snubbed as a starter for the 2016/17 All-Star Game, Russell Westbrook is having a milestone season. After recording his 21st triple-double in 44 games against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, Westbrook is on track to averaging a triple-double for the season. Only Oscar Robertson has accomplished this feat in 1961/62 when he posted 41 of his 181 triple-doubles to become the first player in NBA History to do so.
After starting the first 20 games of the season with nine triple-doubles, the 6’3” guard ranked fifth all-time in the total category after a month’s worth of play – moving past LeBron James despite playing five fewer seasons. Westbrook is now the third player in NBA history to notch at least 20 triple-doubles in a single season joining the elite company of Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain.
With 38 games remaining, Westbrook needs to record 20 or more triple-doubles to either match or overcome Robertson’s record.
What are the odds?
It is possible, if Westbrook plays the remainder of the games without sustaining injury.
Westbrook is the leading scorer in the league with 30.6 points per game and he averages 10.4 assists and 10.6 rebounds. He ranks second in total assists (458) and ninth in total rebounds (468) with a top Player Efficiency Rating of 29.6. Westbrook is the first player to be averaging a triple-double at this point of the season since 1963/64.
Comparing to Oscar Robertson
Rewind the clock to 55 years ago at this exact time, Robertson had 27 triple doubles, averaging 30.4 points per game, 12.5 rebounds and 12.1 assists.
Westbrook averages more in points but less in rebounds and assists in comparison to Robertson.
What this means for Oklahoma City
It means winning games.
The chances of Oklahoma City winning games consistently increase when Westbrook ends the game in a triple-double. The Thunder have a 76.1 percent chance of winning games when he does versus the 39.1 percent chance when he doesn’t.
With a record of 25-19, OKC now ranks sixth in the Western Conference and they are likely to qualify for the playoffs.
The Ugly Side of Triple-doubles
Considering the historic feat that Westbrook is in the middle of accomplishing, it seems logical that Westbrook would be the 2016/17 MVP right?
Well, that’s if you don’t consider the inefficiencies of his game
With 1040 field goal attempts, Westbrook has only made 440 - making him the league leader in field goals missed (600). He also struggles from the perimeter as he has made 89 of 275 of his shots for a percentage of 32.4. In the past ten games this month he is shooting a disappointing 30.8 percentage from the three-point line.
The superstar has averaged double-digit turnovers in two of the last four games.
While these numbers may affect MVP voting, it certainly won’t stop Westbrook from adding his name into the history books.
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