National Basketball Association

Baron Davis explains how Russell Westbrook is like Michael Jordan

Published Dec. 14, 2016 8:30 a.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

Russell Westbrook is putting together one of the most astounding individual seasons in NBA history and is still averaging a triple-double after 22 games.

On Friday night against the Rockets, Westbrook will have a chance to record his seventh consecutive triple-double, matching Michael Jordan’s mark set in the 1988-89 season. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for consecutive triple-doubles with nine, and it’s becoming more and more feasible that Westbrook could smash that record this season.

On Thursday's episode of Undisputed, two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis explained how Westbrook's background has shaped the type of singularly brilliant player he's become.

“What drives him? What fuels him?

I think, for him, being the underdog. I think that he always had a chip on his shoulder. He was overlooked in high school, he didn’t make the McDonald’s All-American. He was overlooked in college. People didn’t think that he would mature and become who he is… and now he’s up against the superpowers.

For him, he’s going to always carry that chip. I liken him to Michael Jordan, just because of his competitive fire and nature. It’s him against anybody, him against the world mentality.”