Oscar Robertson couldn’t be happier that Russell Westbrook broke his 55-year record on Sunday, recording his 42nd triple-double to break Robertson’s longstanding record of 41 back in the 1961-62 season. In a post on The Undefeated that went up shortly after Westbrook nabbed the 50-point triple-double, Robertson congratulated Westbrook.
Oscar Robertson congratulated Russell Westbrook on breaking his triple-double record
Robertson says Westbrook would have been great in any era, and other complimentary things.
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“I admire Westbrook’s all-around command of the game,” Robertson writes. “He is a marvelous athlete who plays with intensity and flair and is exciting to watch. His performance this season is impressive. He would have been great in any era.”
Robertson also named Westbrook as his MVP, joining a long list of players, coaches, and various celebrities who have him as their MVP. Here’s his reasoning.
My vote is for Westbrook, and here’s why:
1.) He took over the offense for the Oklahoma City Thunder after Kevin Durant’s blockbuster departure for the Golden State Warriors as a free agent changed the team’s composition.
2.) This season, he beats any other guard in a head-to-head matchup.
3.) Most important, he should be rewarded for his outstanding play this season and his career-making individual accomplishments.
Of course, in the previous paragraph, Robertson uses triple-doubles to dismiss the other candidates — James Harden, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard — in the race. Obviously, Westbrook averaging a triple-double is incredible, but the award still shouldn’t be awarded on that alone.
However, there are many other great reasons to vote for Westbrook. This is going to be an all-time race.
Robertson closes by saying we shouldn’t compare him and Westbrook because they’re from different eras, saying he’s just grateful he was able to accomplish what he accomplished.
“I know who I played against and what I did, and that’s good enough for me,” he writes. “As far as I’m concerned, my NBA career was defined by being a consummate professional and competing professionally for 14 seasons. My triple-double season and the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship in 1971 were both highlights of that wonderful career.”
