Russell Westbrook has now played in 274 games in his young NBA career. Last night against the Jazz, he accomplished something that puts him in the company of the elite-elite. As noted by Darnell Mayberry, when Westbrook scored his 10th and 11th points of the game, he joined Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson as the only three players in NBA history that have recorded 5,000 points, 1,900 assists, and 1,300 rebounds in their first 274 games.
Here is the play that did it for Westbrook:
As much as the sports media and opposing fans have maligned Westbrook for his various growing pains, it is difficult to look at such an accomplishment in any light other than the fact that Westbrook's achievement is preceded by only two men: one guy actually averaged a triple-double for an entire season, and the other guy is simply known as "Magic."
Of course it is premature to elevate Westbrook to those two men's statuses in terms of overall impact on the league, but it should not denigrate the fact that it underscores how many attributes and qualities Westbrook brings to the table for the Thunder. The past does not guarantee the future, but Westbrook's achievement represents the kind of combined production that reflects his desire to be great in all aspects of his game.
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