National Basketball Association

Russell Westbrook's (Non-)Pursuit Of A Triple-Double Average

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:09 p.m. ET

Fansided, Shane Sanders/FanSided via Hoops Habit

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder has carried a triple-double average through the All-Star break (with apparent reluctance).

In an NBA season of compelling narratives, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook's (non-)pursuit of a triple-double average stands high above–like Everest rising above the lesser portions of the formidable Mahalangur Range.

That Westbrook has carried a triple-double average this far into the season is difficult to fathom for so many reasons. Here are a dozen of them:

The Path Ahead

Through 57 (of a possible 57) games this season, Westbrook has averaged:

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Pts Ast Reb

31.1 10.25 10.12

Assuming that he plays in all 82 regular season games, Westbrook must average at least the following values (in the remaining 25 games) to achieve a triple-double average.

Min Pts Min Ast Min Reb

0.0 9.72 8.88

Obviously, Westbrook has already locked up a double-digit scoring average for the regular season. If he failed to score for the rest of the season, his end-of-season average would fall only as low as 21.6 points per game!

Presumably, Westbrook's toughest challenge will be to stay afloat in the assist category, though the rebounding category also presents a formidable obstacle. Westbrook is an interesting character. He claims to be unmotivated by the prospect of achieving a triple-double average.

If this is the case, let us hope that an external factor, such as the Thunder being locked in a late-season playoff race, keeps Westbrook's tremendous all-around game at full tilt.