Russell Westbrook may be polarizing, but his greatness can’t be questioned
Russell Westbrook has become one of the more polarizing players in the NBA today, but his overall greatness shouldn’t be questioned.
Who would have ever thought that a player would come along and break the great Oscar Robertson’s all-time record for career triple-doubles? To record a triple-double is a phenomenal feat within itself but to do it on a consistent level displays the greatness that Russell Westbrook exhibits every time he steps out on the floor.
The way he stuffs a stat sheet is amazing as he leaves fans and spectators in awe of his hustle and the heart he plays with always leaving it all out on the court. Westbrook rewrote the NBA history books last night as he broke Robertson’s all-time triple-double record giving him 182 for his illustrious career.
It took 47 years for Robertson’s record to fall and that’s because it takes a special kind of player to accomplish such a feat. Other than winning the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award back in 2017, this has to be the crowning achievement of his career thus far.
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Westbrook, still in the prime of his career at age 32, will more than likely add to his total of 182 triple-doubles as it very well may be another 40 or 50 years before another player even comes close to reaching that plateau. Westbrook, a player who is passionate about the game, who plays hard, and is relentless is very deserving of having his name associated with this record.
As one of the most polarizing and entertaining players in the NBA, Westbrook brings energy and plays at a high level every game as he is well worth the price of admission. He is explosive and electric around the rim, picks teams off with his assists and scoring ability, rebounds like a power forward all while playing solid defense leading to opportunities in transition to make highlight-reel plays.
All these things help contribute to Westbrook being able to put up fantastic numbers all while being a smart and cerebral player. Westbrook does have plenty of doubters while receiving a ton of criticism at times for his style of play or confident swagger that some may confuse for cockiness but he has truly earned his respect in the league.
Westbrook should be celebrated and appreciated for what he brings to the game and his approach to the game as one of the most well-rounded players the league has ever seen. Robertson and Westbrook will forever be intertwined throughout history as the only two players in NBA history to ever average a triple-double in a season.
Robertson did it once back in the 1961-62 season while Westbrook will have four such seasons under his belt upon the conclusion of this season. Westbrook’s triple-doubles have also benefitted the teams he has played for as teams have won 75 percent of the games whenever he records one.
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Westbrook has surely left his impact on the game of basketball by breaking this record as his legacy will carry on long after he retires.