The 2016-17 season has been the most statistically illuminating and eye-popping season in NBA history, at least in the past 50 years or so.
You have guys accomplishing triple-doubles at a rate that far exceeds any other year in NBA history, and numerous players around the league filling up a stat sheet to unprecedented levels.
Russell Westbrook is the leader of this revolution and in the process of securing his incredible 38th triple-double of the season. He also put together the highest-scoring game in NBA history for a player with a triple-double in the Thunder’s 114-106 overtime victory in Orlando Wednesday night.
Russell Westbrook (57/13/11): 1st player to record triple-double & score 55+ points in same game; prev high 53 (Harden/Wilt) (@EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/3fzzSvcl5c
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 30, 2017
Westbrook had 57 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals for the game while shooting 52.5% from the field and 40% from three.
Speaking of threes, to make this sort of history a reality, the Hero-Ball extraordinaire had to hit a classic and wild, off-balance three-pointer to send the game to overtime…
50+ points? ?
Triple-double? ?
Game-tying 3-pointer? ?
Russell Westbrook is not from this planet. pic.twitter.com/lgO1OK6lYf— NBA ? (@BallersMatchUp) March 30, 2017
We all thought Westbrook would explode this season as the lone alpha dog in Oklahoma City, brimming with anger and determination, but at this point I think he has even exceeded everyone’s lofty expectations for the season.
He now has 38 triple-doubles with six games remaining, which means he has the opportunity to break Oscar Robertson’s record for the most triple-doubles in a single season at 41, and he has all but assured he will average a triple-double for the season.
Take some time to really enjoy what Westbrook is accomplishing this season, it isn’t something you see very often.
