All hail the new triple-double king.
Why not?
He’s earned it.
Oscar Robertson remains one of the NBA’s greatest players ever. The former Cincinnati Royal, league MVP, Milwaukee Buck and NBA champion until last night also led the league in all-time triple-doubles with a grand total of 181.
That was until Washington Wizard Russell Westbrook got one more with 182 in a one point loss to the Atlanta Hawks, 125-124.
It may not have been enough for a win, but it’s good enough for greatest of all-time when it comes to double digits in points, rebounds and assists.
Forget “why not” for a second, why hate?
At the beginning of the season after the former Oklahoma City Thunder franchise survivors reunion with James Harden didn’t work out (despite that awesome Outkast ‘Stankonia’ inspired GQ cover) the Houston Rocket was traded for the Wizards legendary John Wall.
Things in DC looked about as friendly as Bradley Beal’s beef with Golden State Warrior, Kent Bazemore. That was until the All-star and his cast of Wizards put a spell on the rest of the league and went on a run as successful as President Biden’s.
But no ones been smiling as much as the signature one of the Brodie.
And he has plenty of reasons to do so now.
182 of them to be exact.
Oscar has held the record for more than a half century since the 1961-62 season, which in itself is absolutely incredible. Setting the benchmark for 181 in 1974. One that Russ tied on Saturday with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists, as the Wiz beat the Indiana Pacers 133-132 in OT. They won by one that time. But in this loss to the Hawks, Westbrook had 28 points, 13 rebounds and (WOW!) 21 assists (call him a selfish stat stuffer) now.
Just call him Mr. Triple Double like the fourth all-time in that statistical category, Mr. Jason Kidd (107).
That makes 36 in total for the season for the man who has the record of the most in 82 with 42 in the 2016-17 season.
So many numbers for the guard who used to wear zero on his jersey.
And he’s still counting.
Now he’s passed the bar, it’s time to set a new one.
Why stop?
