NBA 2019-20: Russell Westbrook continues to rewrite record books with 139th career triple-double
Newly acquired Houston Rockets' point guard Russell Westbrook continues to produce as an All-Star point guard, as he got his 139th career triple-double on Saturday night in the win against the New Orleans Pelicans. He passes Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson for second place in the all-time list.
Westbrook scored 28 points against the Pelicans and was 9-17 FG, 9-10 FT, 1-3 3PT. He also racked up 10 rebounds and 13 assists, which got him his first triple-double of the season.
As we all know, in a thunderous trade (pun intended), the Rockets traded for Westbrook in mid-July this past off-season from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets traded the point guard Chris Paul to the Thunder and reunited Westbrook with All-Star James Harden.
Harden and Westbrook played together in Oklahoma City between 2009 and 2012 before Harden was traded to the Rockets. Since then, Harden has had success with the team and the Rockets continue to pursue their options to be a serious competitor in the West.
Considering the Thunder had traded shooting guard Paul George before Westbrook, it was given that the team should start a rebuild. Now with a player like Westbrook on the Rockets, who is considered one of the most electrifying and aggressive players in the league, the Rockets have a serious chance of competing for the top spot in the Western Conference and in the playoffs.
There were issues that arose around ball movement but it seems like they have dealt with that, and that the chemistry between Harden and Westbrook, alongside rest of the team, will be just fine.
All-time great Oscar Robertson sits at the top of the list for the most career triple-doubles in the league, with 181 under his belt. Westbrook needs 43 triple-doubles in order to pass Robertson and be first on the list.
Will he be able to do so? We shall find out as the season progresses.