Russell Westbrook becomes fourth player to reach 100 triple-doubles

Russell Westbrook came up big for the OKC Thunder in their quest for a good playoff spot and also put himself in the record books.

The Oklahoma City Thunder needed a win Tuesday night to maintain the fourth spot in the Western Conference and Russell Westbrook was able to do that for them.

He was also able to become the fourth player to reach the 100 mark in career triple-doubles.

Ahead of him on the all-time triple-doubles list are Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138) and Jason Kidd (107).

Westbrook spoke after the game about the amazing feat he accomplished.

"”The group of guys that’s ahead are Hall of Famers,” Westbrook said. ”I’m just happy to be a part of the crew with those guys.”"

Westbrook was the third-fastest to accomplish the feat after Oscar Robertson (277 games) and Magic Johnson (656 games). Westbrook was able to reach 100 in 736 games.

These past two seasons have been where Westbrook has gotten the bulk of his triple-doubles. Last year he had a single-season record of 42, and this year he has 21 and counting.

After a season in which he averaged a triple-double and led an overachieving Thunder squad to the playoffs, Westbrook has another chance to get another triple-double average. Only this time, his Thunder squad is better.

While Kevin Durant was on the team, Westbrook had to live in his shadow but now that he has been able to become the go-to player in OKC, he has exploded into becoming a triple-double machine. Westbrook uses his abilities as a 6’4″ point guard to be able to see over defenses, rebound and score the ball anywhere on the court.

Westbrook has turned the art of the triple-double into something that looks like it can be done easily. The next active player who has the most triple-doubles is LeBron James, who has played seven more years than Westbrook and has 69 in his career.

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After accomplishing this feat, Westbrook has yet another accolade to prove himself as a Hall of Fame caliber player and if the Thunder — who are fourth in the standings for the Western Conference — can move up into the third spot, another MVP could be up for debate.

The mark for a great NBA player is usually how many titles they won and so far, Westbrook does not have one, but that’s not the only way to measure greatness.

Barry Bonds did not win a championship ring in MLB and Dan Marino never won a ring in the NFL, but they were two of the greatest players in their respective sports.

While Westbrook still has a chance to win a ring, his greatness should not be overlooked in the meantime.

The triple-double records accomplished last year were some that were famously said to unbreakable. Westbrook can become one of the greatest basketball players to ever because of his ability to elevate his game above everybody else.

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He makes the game looks easy in a way that the person that signed him to a sneaker deal did. As Michael Jordan one said about Westbrook “Thirty years ago, that’s me.”