Russell Westbrook is having such a historic 2016-17 season that he’s forcing opposing teams to take their victories wherever they can get them.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 103-100 on Wednesday, a game that saw Westbrook drop 45 points (on eight three-pointers), nine rebounds, and 10 assists. Afterwards, Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale opened his postgame press conference with this funny quote about the MVP frontrunner, per Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders.
Coach Fizdale: "I'd like to say that we held him from getting a triple-double. Take that Russell Westbrook." pic.twitter.com/VF6bzo3BGm
— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) April 6, 2017
As absurd as that line would sound about any other player, it is indeed an accomplishment to prevent Westbrook from getting a triple-double these days. He is, of course, averaging one for the entire season, but Westbrook entered play on Wednesday having logged seven consecutive triple-doubles, and he just tied Oscar Robertson for most recorded in a single season with 41.
While the Grizzlies’ “feat” on Wednesday came down to a matter of just a single rebound, Fizdale, who has been in awe of the six-time All-Star guard seemingly since Day One, will definitely take it.
