Russell Westbrook, after getting a triple-double against the Bulls, has now been able to get a triple-double against every team in the league except his own. Will a triple-double average for the season be in Westbrook’s sights again?
It was the third quarter and Russell Westbrook had just played only 25 minutes against the Chicago Bulls, but he was able to get a triple-double in a blowout win. This triple-double was done effortlessly just like most of his triple-doubles, but what was special about this one was the fact that he was able to complete a goal that is darn near impossible to do.
Westbrook has now been able to record a triple-double against every team in the NBA except his own. In the game against the Bulls, he finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
When the Oklahoma City Thunder tipped off, they knew that they had to be able to get a win because they lost the night before. Westbrook and the Thunder responded by winning by 32 in a 101-69 rout. Everyone that played scored except Nick Collison. Carmelo Anthony and Paul George both scored 20 or more.
The triple-doubles are not a tribute to the fact that Westbrook is a talented player but the fact he is now a team player. During the times of Kevin Durant being on the Thunder roster, it seemed that Westbrook was in a quest to prove that he was the top guy on the team. Now he is the answer for OKC.
A triple-double in less than 25 minutes. Russ has now done it to all 29 other teams. #WhyNot? pic.twitter.com/TzAdT2QINX
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 29, 2017
He has found a new avenue for himself in the art of a triple-double. It is a way that he can impact the game, do everything on the floor and not hurt his team. It might not be a coincidence the Thunder are 3-0 this season in Russ’ triple-double games and 0-3 when he has not recorded one.
In the Bulls game, he was not the leading scorer, he was not the person that was the primary part of the offense, but he was the headliner of the game. Westbrook had more rebounds and assists than points in the last game and the Thunder won in a blowout. So far, the Anthony, George, Westbrook trio has been beautiful to watch.
Last year Westbrook broke the record for the most triple-doubles in a season and became the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for the season after Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-62. If this continues, then I don’t see how Westbrook doesn’t average another triple-double in 2017-18.
Right now Westbrook is averaging 20.8 points, 12.2 assists and 9.8 rebounds per game. These stats smell like another triple-double average is on the horizon. With Anthony and George, Westbrook should always be able to get double digits in assists.

The Thunder only have one low post player in the starting lineup, so everybody will have to be able to help getting rebounds. Westbrook has done his part, snagging in 8.5 defensive rebounds a game, which leads the team. The next person is George with 4.2. Westbrook also leads the team in rebounds.
Points will always come for Westbrook because of his motor and his superhuman efforts have him leading the Thunder in a season they expect to do damage. The wins have not come yet, but the season is long and the Thunder have a lot of new faces. They should eventually put together stretches of wins.
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If he is able to accomplish a triple-double for this season it will be a one of the greatest accomplishments in NBA history because he was able to do it with two other superstars on his team and he just did it the year before. Nobody has ever averaged triple-doubles in back-to-back seasons. Westbrook is on a quest to be one of the greats.