Russell Westbrook: The Life Story Behind the Triple-Double King

Russell Westbrook is the most explosive point guard in NBA history, and the king of the triple-double. He is a player who plays every game, like it is his last, with a speed, a power, and a passion, that no one else can match, and he won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2017, averaging a triple-double, for a whole season, a feat that had not been achieved, since Oscar Robertson, in 1962, and he holds the NBA record, for career triple-doubles, with more than two hundred, a record that may never, be broken.

Born on 12 November 1988 in Long Beach, California, Westbrook grew up in Hawthorne, where his mother Shannon and father Russell raised him, and he played basketball at Leuzinger High School, and at UCLA, where he won two Final Four appearances, and he was drafted fourth overall, by the Seattle SuperSonics, in 2008, a team that became the Oklahoma City Thunder, a franchise he would lead, for eleven seasons, and make, one of the best, in the NBA. This is the story of Russ.

Long Beach, California, and UCLA

Westbrook was born in Long Beach, and he grew up in Hawthorne, in the south of Los Angeles, where his parents, Russell Sr. and Shannon, raised him and his younger brother Raynard, and where basketball was a way out, and a dream, and Russ played at Leuzinger High School, where he was not a star, at first, averaging less than nine points a game, as a junior, but he grew, he worked, and he became, a star, as a senior, earning a scholarship, to UCLA, one of the best programmes, in the country.

He played two seasons at UCLA, and he reached the Final Four, twice, in 2007 and 2008, playing alongside Kevin Love, and he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, in 2008, a triumph that showed his talent, and his competitiveness, and he was drafted fourth overall, by the Seattle SuperSonics, in 2008, a team that moved to Oklahoma City, and became the Thunder, a franchise that Russ would lead, for eleven seasons, and make, a contender, year after year.

The years at Oklahoma City Thunder, from 2008–2019, were the making of Russell Westbrook, because he learned to win there, to handle pressure there, and to deliver when the team needed him most, and those lessons stayed with Russell Westbrook for the rest of his career, in every club, and every country, where he played afterwards. He won the MVP award in 2017, averaging a triple-double, and became the face of the franchise for eleven seasons. It was at Oklahoma City Thunder that Russell Westbrook became the player the world would come to know, and Oklahoma City Thunder played its part, in making him.

The Rise: Oklahoma City, the Finals, and the Star

Westbrook’s rise came in Oklahoma City, where he formed a trio, with Kevin Durant and James Harden, and he helped the Thunder reach the NBA Finals in 2012, losing to Miami, in five games, a run that showed his talent, and his potential, and one that made him, one of the best young guards, in the league, a player who could score, rebound, and pass, with equal skill, and who played, with a passion, that was unmatched, in the NBA.

The rise continued after Durant and Harden left, as Westbrook became, the franchise player, the leader, and the star, of the Thunder, averaging more than twenty points, ten assists, and eight rebounds a game, and he was named an All-Star, many times, and he won the All-Star MVP award, in 2015 and 2016, a player who was, simply, one of the best, in the world, and who was carrying, a whole franchise, on his shoulders, alone.

Russell Westbrook made Houston Rockets his home in 2019–2020, and the supporters took him to their hearts, because Russell Westbrook played with a passion that was obvious, and a skill that was undeniable, and he became one of their own, a player they still talk about, in USA and everywhere, when they remember the best teams, and the best days, that Houston Rockets has ever known. He reunited with James Harden, averaging a triple-double, and reaching the second round of the playoffs. The time at Houston Rockets shaped Russell Westbrook as a player, and as a person, and it is a period Russell Westbrook still looks back on, with pride, and with gratitude.

At Washington Wizards, where Russell Westbrook played from 2020–2021, he showed the world what he could do, with performances that were consistent, brave, and brilliant, and Washington Wizards gave him the stage, and Russell Westbrook gave the club the memories, a partnership that worked, for both sides, and one that defined a chapter, of his career, and theirs. He averaged a triple-double for a fourth season, and set the NBA record for career triple-doubles. Those years at Washington Wizards remain a proud chapter in the story of Russell Westbrook, and in the history of Washington Wizards itself.

The Peak: MVP, the Triple-Double, and the Record

Westbrook’s peak came in 2017, when he won the NBA Most Valuable Player award, averaging a triple-double, for a whole season, with thirty-one points, ten rebounds, and ten assists a game, a feat that had not been achieved, since Oscar Robertson, in 1962, fifty-five years earlier, and one that made him, a legend, in the NBA, because he had done, what no one, had done, in more than half a century, and he did it, with a passion, that inspired, the whole league.

He averaged a triple-double, for a whole season, four times, in his career, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, a feat that no other player, has ever achieved, more than once, and he holds the NBA record, for career triple-doubles, with more than two hundred, passing Oscar Robertson, in 2021, a record that may never, be broken, because it takes, a combination, of scoring, rebounding, and passing, that only Russ, has ever had, in the history, of the game.

He has been selected as an All-Star, many times, and he won the All-Star MVP award, twice, in 2015 and 2016, and he won the Olympic gold medal, with the United States, at London 2012, a triumph that made him, a champion, on the international stage, and he continues to play, in the NBA, for the Denver Nuggets, and then the Sacramento Kings, a veteran, who is still, one of the most explosive players, in the league, even in his late thirties.

Russell Westbrook went into the NBA Finals in 2012 with expectation on his shoulders, and Russell Westbrook carried it, with a calm that impressed everyone, and a quality that decided matches, when they mattered most. He reached the Finals with Oklahoma City, losing to Miami in five games, in his fourth season. It was a performance that Russell Westbrook earned, and one that showed the world, exactly what Russell Westbrook could do.

The Western Conference Finals in 2016 was one of the defining tournaments of the career of Russell Westbrook, because the whole world was watching, and Russell Westbrook showed, that he could perform, on the biggest stage, against the best, in his sport. He led Oklahoma City to a 3-1 lead over Golden State, before losing in seven games. The Western Conference Finals of 2016 added another chapter to the story of Russell Westbrook, and it is one that his fans, will never forget.

Year after year, the story was the same, because Russell Westbrook was there, at the top, competing, winning, and leading, and that longevity is what separates the great from the good, in USA and everywhere, because anyone can have one great season, but only the best, can have ten, and Russell Westbrook had them, in USA and around the world.

In basketball, a career is judged by championships, and Russell Westbrook won them, in the biggest games, against the best players, in the world, and that is why the name of Russell Westbrook is remembered, by fans, in every country, where the game is played, and why young players, in USA, still study, the way Russell Westbrook played.

USA: Olympic Gold and the Dream Team

For the United States, Westbrook is an Olympic champion, winning the gold medal at London 2012, with a team that featured LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant, a triumph that made him a hero, at home, and a star, around the world, and he was one of the best players, on that team, a guard who could defend, score, and rebound, and who played, with a passion, that set him apart, even among, the greatest players, in the world.

He has also played for the USA at the World Cup, winning gold in 2010, in Turkey, a tournament where he was one of the youngest players, on the team, and he is a player who takes pride, in representing his country, and who is respected, in America, and around the world, because he is one of the most competitive guards, ever to play, for the United States, a nation, that has produced, the greatest basketball players, in history.

At the Olympic Games in 2012, Russell Westbrook proved, once again, that he was a player for the big occasion, delivering when the pressure was highest, and the stakes were greatest, in front of millions, around the world. He won gold with the United States at London, as one of the best guards on the team. That tournament is still talked about, when fans remember the best of Russell Westbrook, and the best of his sport.

The NBA playoffs of 2017 remains a vivid memory for the fans of Russell Westbrook, because it was a tournament where Russell Westbrook played with a freedom, a bravery, and a skill, that made everyone take notice, of what he could do. He won the MVP award, averaging a triple-double, but Oklahoma City lost in the first round to Houston. It was a performance that Russell Westbrook earned, and one that showed the world, exactly what Russell Westbrook could do.

Russell Westbrook went into the FIBA World Cup in 2010 with expectation on his shoulders, and Russell Westbrook carried it, with a calm that impressed everyone, and a quality that decided matches, when they mattered most. He won gold with the United States in Turkey, as one of the youngest players on the team. The FIBA World Cup of 2010 added another chapter to the story of Russell Westbrook, and it is one that his fans, will never forget.

Speed, Power, and the Art of the Triple-Double

Westbrook’s game is built on speed and power. He is the fastest guard in the NBA, with the ball, and without it, and he attacks the rim, with a ferocity, that no one can stop, dunking over centres, and finishing, through contact, and he rebounds, like a forward, and passes, like a point guard, a combination, that makes the triple-double, possible, and one that no other guard, in history, has ever had, in such abundance.

What makes him special is his competitiveness and his passion. He plays every game, like it is his last, he dives for loose balls, he screams after dunks, and he never, ever, gives up, a mentality that is unmatched, in the NBA, and one that has made him, a fan favourite, around the world, because he is real, and he is relentless, and he gives, everything, he has, every single night, for his team, and for the fans.

In 2017, Russell Westbrook won the NBA Most Valuable Player as the best player in the league, averaging a triple-double, with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists a game. The NBA Most Valuable Player of 2017 stands out in the career of Russell Westbrook, because it was won against the best, in the biggest arena, and it took everything Russell Westbrook had, to win it, and the victory made him a hero, at home, and a star, around the world. The NBA Most Valuable Player of 2017 is the kind of triumph that defines a career, and Russell Westbrook earned it, with years of work, and a performance, that will be remembered.

In 2015, Russell Westbrook won the NBA All-Star MVP as the best player in the All-Star Game, scoring 41 points in New York. Russell Westbrook still talks about the NBA All-Star MVP in 2015 as one of the great days of his life, because the whole team, the whole country, and the whole sport, were watching, and Russell Westbrook delivered, with a performance that was calm, brave, and brilliant, when the pressure was greatest. That NBA All-Star MVP remains a landmark in the story of Russell Westbrook, and in the history of USA sport.

In 2016, Russell Westbrook won the NBA All-Star MVP as the best player in the All-Star Game for a second year in a row, scoring 31 points in Toronto. Winning the NBA All-Star MVP in 2016 changed the career of Russell Westbrook, because it turned promise into proof, and talent into titles, and it gave Russell Westbrook the confidence, to believe that he could win, again, and again, at the highest level, of his sport. It was a win that Russell Westbrook earned, and one that no one can ever take away from Russell Westbrook.

The Finals, the Trades, and the Doubts

Westbrook’s career has had real frustrations. He lost the NBA Finals in 2012, to Miami, in five games, and he lost the Western Conference Finals in 2016, to Golden State, after leading the series 3-1, a defeat that hurt deeply, because the Thunder were so close, to reaching the Finals, and they lost, three games in a row, to the Warriors, a collapse, that broke the team, and led to Durant, leaving for Golden State, a move that changed, the franchise, forever.

There have also been trades, and doubts, as he left Oklahoma City in 2019, for Houston, and then played for Washington, the LA Lakers, the LA Clippers, and Denver, moves that were criticised, by some, who said his game, did not fit, with other stars, and who questioned, whether he could win, a championship, a doubt that has followed him, for years, and one that he is still trying, to answer, because he has never won, an NBA title, the one thing, missing, from his career.

The numbers tell their own story, for Russell Westbrook. He holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles, with more than 200, passing Oscar Robertson in 2021. He averaged a triple-double for a whole season four times, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, a feat no other player has done more than once. He won the NBA MVP award in 2017, averaging 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists a game. He won the All-Star MVP award twice, in 2015 and 2016, scoring 41 points in the 2015 game. He won the Olympic gold medal with the United States at London 2012.

Those numbers matter, because they were not collected in easy matches, against weak opponents, but in the biggest tournaments, against the best players, in USA and around the world, and that is why they stand, as proof, of what Russell Westbrook achieved, in his career.

The Triple-Double King, and a Force of Nature

Westbrook is widely regarded as the greatest triple-double player in NBA history, and he is the king, of the most complete, statistic, in the game. He holds the record, for career triple-doubles, with more than two hundred, he averaged a triple-double, for a whole season, four times, and he won the MVP award, in 2017, and he has done it, with a speed, a power, and a passion, that no one else, has ever had, in the history, of the sport.

His legacy is also about the passion, because he plays, with more heart, than anyone, in the NBA, and that passion, has inspired, a generation of young players, to play, with the same fire, and the same refusal, to give up, and that is a legacy, that goes beyond, the numbers, and one that will last, for generations, because Russ is more than a player, he is a force of nature, and a reminder, that basketball, is a game, of heart, as much as, of skill.

In 2015, Russell Westbrook won the NBA scoring champion as the leading scorer in the league, averaging 28 points a game for Oklahoma City. The NBA scoring champion in 2015 was a triumph that Russell Westbrook will never forget, because it came after years of work, and it proved that Russell Westbrook belonged, among the best, in his sport, and the medal, the trophy, and the memory, remain among the proudest, of his whole career. The NBA scoring champion of 2015 is the kind of triumph that defines a career, and Russell Westbrook earned it, with years of work, and a performance, that will be remembered.

In 2017, Russell Westbrook won the NBA scoring champion as the leading scorer in the league, averaging 31 points a game, in his MVP season. When Russell Westbrook won the NBA scoring champion in 2017, it was the reward for everything he had given to the game, the training, the sacrifice, and the belief, and it showed the world, in USA and everywhere, that Russell Westbrook was not just a talented player, but a winner, who could deliver, when it mattered most. That NBA scoring champion remains a landmark in the story of Russell Westbrook, and in the history of USA sport.

In 2018, Russell Westbrook won the NBA assists leader as the player with the most assists in the league, averaging 10 assists a game. The NBA assists leader of 2018 stands out in the career of Russell Westbrook, because it was won against the best, in the biggest arena, and it took everything Russell Westbrook had, to win it, and the victory made him a hero, at home, and a star, around the world. It was a win that Russell Westbrook earned, and one that no one can ever take away from Russell Westbrook.

Beyond the headline triumphs, there were more, because Russell Westbrook also won the NBA assists leader in 2018; the Olympic gold medal in 2012; the NBA triple-double record in 2021, honours that are easy to overlook, beside the biggest titles, but ones that show the depth, and the consistency, of the career of Russell Westbrook, year after year, tournament after tournament, at the highest level.

Count the honours, and the scale of the career of Russell Westbrook becomes clear, because the list runs to 8 major titles, medals, and awards, each one earned, in competition, against the best, in USA and the world, and each one a chapter, in a story, that few players, in any sport, can match, for length, for quality, and for consistency, over so many years, and among them, the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017 stands tall, for Russell Westbrook and for USA.

The journey of Russell Westbrook took him from Oklahoma City Thunder to Denver Nuggets, with stops at Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, along the way, and each stop taught Russell Westbrook something new, about the game, about himself, and about winning, at the highest level, in USA and around the world, a journey that made him the player, and the person, he is today.

My Take:

I want to be honest about Russell Westbrook, about what was great, and about what was not, because that is the only way, to understand, a career, like his.

What I admire most about Westbrook is the passion, because he plays every game, like it is his last, with a speed, a power, and a fire, that no one else can match, and he averaged a triple-double, for a whole season, four times, a feat that no other player has ever done, more than once. When I look at young players who want to play with heart, I tell them to watch Russ, because heart is not taught, it is lived, and he lives it, every single night, for his team, and for the fans.

The MVP season in 2017 is the moment that defines him, because he averaged thirty-one points, ten rebounds, and ten assists a game, a triple-double, for a whole season, something that had not been done, since Oscar Robertson, in 1962, fifty-five years earlier. That is not just a season, it is history, and it is the performance that will be remembered when his career is over, as the year Russ did the impossible, and won the MVP, for doing it.

I also think Westbrook is underrated as a passer, because people remember the dunks, but they forget that he led the league in assists, and that he averaged ten assists a game, in his MVP season, and that he makes his teammates better, every time he is on the floor. He is complete, as a guard, and that is why he holds the triple-double record, and why he is one of the best point guards, in NBA history.

If I have a criticism, it is only the championship, because he has never won one, and he has come close, losing the Finals in 2012, and the Conference Finals in 2016, after leading 3-1, and that gap will always be part of his story, until he wins one. But the MVP is his, and the triple-double record is his, and those are achievements that will last forever, and that is why he is a legend, and why the basketball world respects him, even without a ring.

Take the MVP season in 2017, and look at it closely, because Westbrook averaged a triple-double for a whole season, winning the MVP award, a feat that had not been achieved since Oscar Robertson in 1962, and one that made him a legend, in the NBA, and a hero, in Oklahoma City. That is not luck, it is preparation, meeting opportunity, and Russell Westbrook was prepared, because he had done the work, for years, before that moment, ever arrived.

I will never forget the triple-double record in 2021, because Westbrook passed Oscar Robertson, becoming the all-time leader in career triple-doubles, with more than 200, a record that may never be broken, and one that proves his greatness, as the most complete guard, in NBA history. Moments like that are why sport matters, and why Russell Westbrook will be remembered, long after the final whistle, of his final match, has blown.

When I think about the 2012 Finals run, I think about what it teaches, because Westbrook helped Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals, in his fourth season, a run that announced him, as one of the best young guards, in the league, and one that made the Thunder, a contender, for years to come. And that is the lesson, that talent opens the door, but character walks through it, and Russell Westbrook walked through it, again and again, in his career.

The moment I keep coming back to is the 41-point All-Star Game in 2015, because Westbrook scored 41 points in the All-Star Game in New York, winning the MVP award, a performance that showed his scoring, his passion, and his star power, on the biggest stage, in the regular season. It is the kind of moment that stays with you, long after the match is over, and it is why Russell Westbrook matters, not just as a player, but as an example, for anyone, who wants to be great.

Look at the record, and look at what it means, because He holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles, with more than 200, passing Oscar Robertson in 2021. That is not a number on a page, it is a career, in miniature, and it is why Russell Westbrook belongs, among the greats, of his sport.

The numbers say it plainly, because He averaged a triple-double for a whole season four times, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, a feat no other player has done more than once. And numbers do not lie, they do not flatter, and they do not forget, and that is why the record of Russell Westbrook will stand, for years, to come.

One record, more than any other, sums up Russell Westbrook, because He won the NBA MVP award in 2017, averaging 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists a game. It is the kind of achievement that takes a whole career, to earn, and a whole lifetime, to appreciate, and Russell Westbrook earned it, the hard way.

Look at the record, and look at what it means, because He won the All-Star MVP award twice, in 2015 and 2016, scoring 41 points in the 2015 game. That is not a number on a page, it is a career, in miniature, and it is why Russell Westbrook belongs, among the greats, of his sport.

The lesson of Russell Westbrook is a lesson for every young basketball player in USA, because he proved that work, talent, and belief, win championships, and that a boy, from anywhere, can become a champion, if he is willing, to do the work, that others will not do, and to keep going, when others stop.

The fans of Russell Westbrook will tell you, that he was more than a player, because he gave them memories, that they will carry, for the rest of their lives, and that is the true measure, of a basketball player, not the rings, but the joy, he gave, to the people, who watched him play.

If you want to understand Russell Westbrook, start with the numbers, because he won 8 major honours, he played for 6 clubs or teams, and he set 5 records, that are listed, in his story, and those numbers were not given to him, they were earned, in competition, against the best, in the world, over many years, and that is why they matter, because they are the proof, of a career, that was built, on work, on talent, and on a refusal, to accept, anything less, than the best.

The future is still open for Russell Westbrook, because his story is not finished, and the next chapter, whatever it holds, will be watched, by millions, in USA and around the world, who want to see, what he does next, and whether he can add, to a career, that is already, one of the greats, of his sport, and that is the mark, of a true star, that people care, about what happens next, long after, the biggest triumphs, are already, in the past.

The best thing, about watching Russell Westbrook, was that you never knew, what he would do next, because he could surprise you, in any moment, with a piece of skill, that no one expected, and that unpredictability, is what made him, so exciting, to watch, and so hard, to play against, and it is why, fans in USA, still talk about him, today.

I have watched Russell Westbrook for years, and the thing that strikes me, every time, is the intelligence, because he reads the game, two moves ahead, and he is already, where the ball will be, before anyone else, has even moved, and that anticipation is not luck, it is study, and it is why Russell Westbrook was so hard, to play against, in USA and around the world, for so many years.

If I could tell a young player one thing, about Russell Westbrook, it would be this, watch how he trains, because the matches are the reward, but the training is the work, and Russell Westbrook trained, like every session mattered, like every drill, was a final, and that attitude is the reason, that he lasted, at the top, for so long, and won, the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017, and so much more, besides.

People talk about the talent of Russell Westbrook, and they are right to, because the talent was obvious, from the first time, anyone saw him play, but talent is only the start, and what made Russell Westbrook great, was the work, that came after, the hours, the repetition, and the refusal, to be satisfied, with being good, when he could be, the best, in the world.

There is a moment, in every great career, when the player realises, that he belongs, and for Russell Westbrook, that moment changed everything, because from then on, he did not hope, to win, he expected to, and that expectation, carried him, through the hardest matches, of his career, in USA and around the world, and it is why, he won, again and again.

I think the most underrated part of Russell Westbrook is his character, because he handled success, without arrogance, and defeat, without excuses, and that balance is rare, in a world, that rewards noise, and Russell Westbrook was quiet, in victory, and gracious, in defeat, and that is why, he is respected, by everyone, who played, with him, or against him, at Denver Nuggets.

The fans in USA love Russell Westbrook, and it is easy to see why, because he gave them, something to believe in, and he never, let them down, and when he played, the whole country, stopped, to watch, and that connection, between a player, and his people, is the most powerful thing, in sport, and Russell Westbrook had it, in full, for his whole career.

What I would say to anyone, who doubts Russell Westbrook, is simple, look at the record, because the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017 is there, and the other honours, are there, and they were not given, they were earned, in the hardest, arenas, in the world, against the best, opponents, in the world, and that is the answer, to every doubt, that anyone, could ever raise.

The beauty of watching Russell Westbrook was the simplicity, because he made the hardest things, look easy, and the easiest things, look perfect, and that is the mark, of a master, in any sport, and it is why, young players, in USA, still copy, the way he moved, the way he thought, and the way, he played, the game.

I have seen many great players, and Russell Westbrook belongs, with the very best, because he did it, for longer, and under more pressure, than most, and he did it, with a smile, and a humility, that made him, easy to admire, and hard, to dislike, and that is a combination, that few athletes, in any era, have ever managed, to achieve.

If Russell Westbrook had never won another title, after the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017, his career, would still matter, because of the way, he played, and the way, he carried himself, and the example, he set, for the next generation, in USA and around the world, and that is the true measure, of a great athlete, not the count, of the trophies, but the size, of the example.

What stays with me, about Russell Westbrook, is the consistency, because year after year, season after season, he delivered, the same standard, the same effort, and the same quality, and that is harder, than one brilliant season, because anyone can be great, for a month, but only the best, are great, for a decade, and Russell Westbrook was great, for a decade, in USA and around the world.

I think about the young Russell Westbrook, the one who started out, with nothing but talent, and a dream, and I think about how far he travelled, from those first days, to the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2017, and the journey is the story, not the destination, because the work, the sacrifice, and the belief, are what made him, and the trophy, was only, the proof.

There is something about the way Russell Westbrook handled defeat, that tells you, more about him, than any victory ever could, because he lost, he learned, and he came back, stronger, and he did not blame anyone, he did not make excuses, and he did not quit, and that is why, his teammates trusted him, and his opponents respected him, at Denver Nuggets and everywhere, he played.

The numbers tell one story, about Russell Westbrook, but the eyes tell another, because anyone who watched him play, could see, that he loved the game, that he played, with joy, and with freedom, and that love, is what carried him, through the hard days, and the injuries, and the defeats, and it is why, he lasted, as long as he did, at the very top.

So that is Russell Westbrook, a champion, a leader, and an example, and his story, is not just, a list, of titles, it is a reminder, that greatness is earned, day by day, and that anyone, in USA or anywhere, can earn it, if they are willing, to do, the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Russell Westbrook born?

Russell Westbrook was born on 12 November 1988 in Long Beach, California. He grew up in Hawthorne, played at Leuzinger High School and UCLA, and was drafted fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008.

How many triple-doubles does Russell Westbrook have?

Westbrook holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles, with more than 200, passing Oscar Robertson in 2021. He averaged a triple-double for a whole season four times, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Did Russell Westbrook win the MVP award?

Yes, Westbrook won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2017, averaging a triple-double, with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists a game, a feat not achieved since Oscar Robertson in 1962.

Has Russell Westbrook won an NBA championship?

No, Westbrook has never won an NBA championship. He reached the Finals with Oklahoma City in 2012, losing to Miami, and the Conference Finals in 2016, losing to Golden State after leading 3-1.

Which teams has Russell Westbrook played for?

Westbrook played eleven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder, then for Houston, Washington, the LA Lakers, the LA Clippers, and Denver. He is the Thunder’s greatest player, and the face of the franchise for a decade.