"Oscar wasn't trying to get triple-doubles" - Former NBA champion accuses Russell Westbrook of stat padding with Oscar Robertson analogy
Russell Westbrook has been accused of stat padding by former NBA champion and basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry. The Golden State Warriors legend praised Oscar Robertson for not trying to get triple-doubles back in the day. Westbrook broke Robertson's triple-double records during his prime with the OKC Thunder.
Speaking to Brandon "Scoop B." Robinson on the most recent episode of the "Scoop B. Radio Podcast" released on Tuesday, Barry was asked about anybody breaking John Stockton's assist record and LeBron James' scoring record.
However, the one-time NBA champion doesn't care about stats and went on to discuss the "Big O" while throwing some subtle shade at Westbrook.
"Oscar didn't think about triple-doubles," Barry said. "He just went out there and played and he happened to get triple-doubles, you know? The difference between him and Westbrook is Westbrook is trying to get triple-doubles.
"Oscar wasn't trying to get triple-doubles and he did it, and he almost did it for about three or four seasons. So, statistics aren't really all that important, you just want to help your team win."
Rick Barry and Oscar Robertson played in the same era in the 1960s and the 1970s. Barry won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 1974, while Robertson took home a title in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Robertson was more famously known for being one of the most dominant guards of his generation. He was the first player to average a triple-double in a season before Russell Westbrook joined him during his 2016-17 NBA MVP season.
Westbrook ended up averaging a triple-double in three straight seasons and four times in five years from 2016 to 2021. He also broke Robertson's record for most career triple-doubles, although players such as Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are likely knocking on the door in a few years.
Oscar Robertson once defended Russell Westbrook from his critics
Despite having historic numbers and eye-popping stats, Russell Westbrook has been criticized by sports journalists and fans for his style of play. However, Oscar Robertson was one of the first legends to defend Westbrook in an interview with the New York Times in 2021.
"I think he’s one of the elite guards in basketball, and I think it's ridiculous some sportswriters criticize him because he has not won a championship," Robertson said. "Players don't win championships by themselves. You've got to have good management. You need to get with the right group of players."
At the of 35, Westbrook is no longer the player he once was and is currently playing for the Denver Nuggets. He serves as the team's sixth man and occasional starter.