Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Russell Westbrook had a statline that was off the page.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Mills/USA Today.)
We’ve seen some ridiculous triple-doubles in the last few years, especially by Russell Westbrook. We know that he did a 20-20-20 trip-dub. He’s had a few 50-point triple-doubles.
On Monday, he went for an amazing line of 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 21 assists (his 16th trip-dub of the season!). We had never seen a 35-point, 20-assist triple-double before.
And Westbrook seems a lot better now than he was earlier in the season. He was also unfairly blamed for the Rockets flaming out early in the playoff bubble but he was also dealing with injuries as well. Russ is such a unique talent and, after his first of three triple-double seasons, I feel like he’s not getting enough credit on what he has done over the past few years.
The criticism can be too much. Sure, the Thunder let him have the rebound so he can push the pace. “Oh, but it’s stat-padding.” Dude, everyone wants to pad their stats. And if guys like Steven Adams was okay with Russ getting the board, then it’s perfectly fine.
Russ is the type that plays better with the ball. Over the years, he has gotten better at picking his spots whether it’s attacking then dishing off or pulling up at midrange. It is noticeable that he has held off on shooting threes a bit; though he is shooting more this year (4.2 attempts per game) than last season with Houston (3.7).
He’s still a really good player and it cracks me up that people try to discredit his triple-doubles (and triple-double seasons) because he “stat-hunts.” But let’s face it; that Wizards squad isn’t that good. Even if they’re within striking distance of the 10th spot.
What he did three times has only been done ONCE (Oscar Robertson). Yes, the rules are different and the game is being played differently. But if it were that much easier, how come everyone doesn’t have a triple-double season?
Is he conducive to winning basketball? Well, it’s all about having a team that fits. “Everyone” can win a championship in the right situation. Remember that Kevin Durant, Russ, and a James Harden off the bench went to the Finals in 2012. I wish we got to see one more season of Durant and the triple-double version of Westbrook together; remember that they had a 3-1 lead against the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. The Westbrook/Paul George tandem was great until they ran into a hot Utah team in 2018 and a Portland team that had all the momentum in 2019.
Anyway, Westbrook is still awesome in 2021. He’s very likely not going to take a team deep into the postseason this year but he’s still running them numbers to this day.
Bullet Passes
Andre Drummond is a Los Angeles Laker and he will start on Wednesday. The rich get richer.
Okay. So maybe Boston isn’t that good. They lost to New Orleans, who I feel is supposed to be better than their record indicates.
Oh, and Zion Williamson can’t be stopped. Once he’s in the paint, he brings the pain.
The Jazz and Clippers are mad. Utah throttled the Cavs by 39 points while the Clips had their biggest win of the season after defeating Milwaukee by 24.
A 98-88 final between the Heat and the Knicks? I love 1997!
The other guy that gets plenty of triple-doubles, James Harden, finished with 38-11-13. Sometimes, though, I wish people would stop asking him about his MVP candidacy. Of course, he’s going to say he’s the MVP. And people are going to get mad about it.
It’s just sad to watch the Raptors now. Just… sad.
NBA Scoreboard
Mar. 29, 2021
Watch This Play
The new Chicago Bull Daniel Theis puts one on James Wiseman.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
I’m still amazed that he was traded by the Celtics.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.