Oscar Robertson wants Russell Westbrook to break triple-double record
By Mark Gunnels
With eight games remaining, Russell Westbrook needs four more triple-doubles to surpass Oscar Robertson for most in a season.
The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and no one truly knows who’s going be this year’s MVP. It’s a neck and neck race between Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The argument for Westbrook is that he’s likely to be the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for an entire season, which hasn’t been done since the 1961-62 season.
On the flip side, Houston Rockets superstar James Harden nearly averages a triple-double with 29.3 points, 11.3 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game. Plus, Harden’s team is winning at a much more efficient rate with a record of 51-24, which has them as the third seed in the rigid Western Conference.
Nonetheless, “The Big O” believes Westbrook deserves the award.
"“I think it’s Westbrook. That’s what I really think,” Robertson told ESPN. “Because years ago it was tough to win an MVP because it was based on winning championships — and [Bill] Russell with the Celtics. They dominated. But one year, Wilt [Chamberlain] averaged 50 points a game and 29 rebounds and me a triple-double, but Bill [Walton] won because his team advanced and we did not.“It’s changed now. A lot of people understand what an MVP means. They understand basketball better than they did years ago.”"
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Also, when you see athletes of today chasing legendary marks, typically the current record holder would root against them because they want their record to hold.
However, Robertson wants Westbrook to get it done.
"“I’m rooting for him,” he said of breaking the record. “I hope he does it.”“I always thought he was a great basketball player,” Robertson said. “I was talking to some basketball people the other night, and I said, ‘I don’t think any of these guards can beat him in a one-on-one game.’ I think he’s been tremendous for the team, his fans and also for television.”"
The Oklahoma City Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs Friday night.