Russell Westbrook looks to surpass Michael Jordan

Russell Westbrook looks to surpass Michael Jordans’ consecutive triple-double streak. He is currently Tied with Jordan and Oscar Robinson for second all-time with seven triple-doubles in a row. Michael Jordan registered seven consecutively in 1989 while Robinson did so in 1961. Russell Westbrook hit lucky number seven Friday night in a loss to James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Another triple-double Sunday night at home against the Boston Celtics will cement second place for Westbrook and put him one behind Wilt Chamberlin who holds the top spot with nine in a row.

Russell Westbrook was drafted fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics. The Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and took on the name “Thunder” because of an agreement that stated the team could not use the name Supersonics in Oklahoma City. Westbrook showed future greatness early on. He recorded his first triple-double. Westbrook was the third player in team history to record a triple-double. Only Art Harris and Gary Payton achieved this accomplishment for the Supersonics/Thunder.

Last year Westbrook went on an impressive streak as well. He recorded four triple-doubles while making a name for himself. His remarkable skills on the court proved to be dominant against opponents. The four-game streak would tie Earvin (Magic) Johnson Jr. at the time for the fifth-most in NBA history. This year he has followed up his performance from last year with a new streak. A streak even better than the first.

The first triple-double of Russell Westbrook’s  seven-game streak happened on November 25th when OKC beat the Denver Nuggets 132-129 in overtime.Russell scored 31 points, nine assists, and 11 rebounds in the loss against the Kings. He was just one assist short of a triple-double. In the Previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he was two rebounds short of a triple-double. Westbrook could easily be sitting at nine triple-doubles in a row and going for the all-time record Sunday against Boston.

Russell Westbrook is on a record-setting pace this season. He has tallied eight Triple-doubles so far, which ties the rest of the league in that department. His seven in a row ties the New York Knicks who as a whole have the same number dating back to the early 90’s. That’s impressive in itself.

With the run that Russell Westbrook is on, the ninth-year all-star is putting his name alongside some of the greatest basketball players to ever step on the court. He is next to Hall-of-Fame greats in many categories. His overall success with the Thunder will surely land him a spot in the Hall-of-Fame at some point down the road and a few more triple-doubles wouldn’t hurt his case.