This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With every score, rebound and assist, we are seeing history from Russell Westbrook.
Heading into December, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard is averaging 31.2 points, 11.3 assists and 10.5 rebounds per game. He has Oklahoma City in playoff contention, and he's solidified himself as an early frontrunner for MVP.
Here's the history Westbrook is chasing: Only one player in the history of the league has averaged a triple-double for an entire season: Oscar Robertson in 1962. Westbrook is the only player since then to carry a triple-double average as far as December. So even if Westbrook's numbers were to take a dip, he's etched himself into NBA lore with how well he's played.
Now, for the controversy: Critics point to Westbrook's inefficiency and his penchant for hunting rebounds as stat-padding. They wonder if Westbrook is focusing on attaining triple-doubles at the expense of team success, whether that wonder is supported by evidence or not.
And now for the big question: Can Westbrook keep it up? Or more importantly, SHOULD he keep it up? The NBA is a long season. It's physically demanding. Westbrook's usage through the first month is exceedingly high. Most of Oklahoma City's possessions go through him. It stands to reason that Westbrook should ease a little bit on the pedal. The Thunder want him to stay fresh for the long term, and he could wear down at his current pace.
Here's my feeling: I want to see history, and want to see Westbrook average a triple-double for a full season.
There are a number of records in sports that seem unbreakable. Wilt Chamberlain once scored 100 points in a game. Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games. Barry Sanders had five 1,500-yard seasons. UCLA men's basketball once won 88 straight games. Cy Young won 511 games in his career and had one of baseball's most prestigious awards named after him.
Those are records that just seem untouchable, and so far away from the realm of reality that people don't even think of them as touchable. Robertson's record is looked upon in that light. It's amazing in and of itself that Westbrook is the first person since Robertson to average a triple-double for a month.
So to watch Westbrook chase something so sacred is a treat, and a good reason to watch for NBA box scores nightly. If anyone can do it, it's Westbrook. He's the most athletic point guard in the history of the NBA. He's a terrific rebounder, a great scorer and has always been a great passer.
Plus, he has a will and a force matched by few players in the NBA today. He plays at full speed every moment. He forces his teammates to play as hard as he does, an admirable trait.
Westbrook isn't perfect. He's inefficient and doesn't make great decisions at times. He turns the ball over too much. He's not nearly as good a defender as he should be.
At the same time, it's difficult to deny his impact and his imprint on a given game in a given night. When Kevin Durant skipped off to the Bay Area to play for Golden State, there was some sadness from fans that KD and Russ were broken up.
And there was intrigue. The knowledge that Westbrook was alone to do whatever he pleased, whenever he pleased. The possibilities seemed endless.
One month into the season, it still seems endless. We don't know where the Westbrook train is going to end up. What we do know is that nobody wants to stop watching.
Twitter: @tribjazz NBA Power Rankings
1. Golden State Warriors • Is this the best offense in league history? It's looking that way already.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers • Have won a league-best nine games at home even after a loss to the Clippers and a road loss to Chicago.
3. Los Angeles Clippers • Went into Cleveland and dominated LeBron and Co. Lots of previous chemistry issues seemingly solved.
4. San Antonio Spurs • A perfect 11-0 on the road as of Friday night. That's hard to do in the modern NBA.
5. Houston Rockets • They out-offensed the Warriors on Thursday night in a double-overtime classic. You won't see that often.
6. Toronto Raptors • DeMar DeRozan continues to have a great season after a long summer that included Olympic competition.
7. Chicago Bulls • A lot of home games coming up with marathon road trip that included an extended stay out West finished.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder • Russell Westbrook continues to amaze even the most skeptical of doubters.
9. Utah Jazz • Suffered bad home loss to Heat on Thursday and continuing to deal with injury issues.
10. Memphis Grizzlies • Being without star point guard Mike Conley for a month is a brutal blow.
11. Charlotte Hornets • Started off great and looked to be a contender for a top-four spot in the East, but have slowed down since.
12. Boston Celtics • Forward Al Horford drew criticism from a Boston radio host for missing game to see his child born. Ridiculous.
13. Atlanta Hawks • Currently in a slump, having lost 8 of 10 entering Saturday, but too good not to break out eventually.
14. Milwaukee Bucks • On a three game winning streak that has boosted them to third place in the Central Division.
15. Detroit Pistons • Have weathered the loss of point guard Reggie Jackson quite nicely so far.
16. Portland Trail Blazers • Allowing 113.5 points per game. Ouch. That's too much for even Lillard and McCollum to overcome.
17. Los Angeles Lakers • Right around .500 for the season, entertaining fans nightly. Is Luke Walton early Coach of Year frontrunner?
18. New York Knicks • Kristaps Porzingis is approaching stardom already in his sophomore season.
19. Indiana Pacers • Would they keep George Hill, knowing what they do now? Jeff Teague has had his struggles.
20. New Orleans Pelicans • Have been good since Jrue Holiday's return, and Anthony Davis continues to amaze.
21. Washington Wizards • Putrid road team with one win in eight games away from home, but banking on talent to make a run.
22. Denver Nuggets • This team has a lot of young talent, which is a plus. Too little experience, which is a minus.
23. Sacramento Kings • DeMarcus Cousins is having a terrific year. Will the wins come eventually?
24. Phoenix Suns • Have a lot of promise up and down roster, but that's not translating into results right now.
25. Miami Heat • Really banged up. Still beat the Nuggets and Jazz on the road on consecutive nights, which is impressive.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves • Fans are growing a little restless after latest losing streak, which was at four in a row as of Friday.
27. Orlando Magic • Team needs a point guard badly on a roster that is mismatched.
28. Brooklyn Nets • Play as hard as any team in the league despite their talent deficit. Five wins sounds low, but it's impressive.
29. Philadelphia 76ers • Avoid staying in the basement. The Process is always ongoing.
30. Dallas Mavericks • An injured Dirk, not enough talent on the roster as it stands. Need to start all over.