Last summer, Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. It meant leaving his fellow Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook behind in Oklahoma, and by all accounts, the break up did not go well.
So while Durant has been living it up with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in California, Westbrook, whose championship hopes went up in smoke with Durant's departure, has been in ultimate Fuck You-mode this season.
It's resulted in one of the great single season performances from an individual player, with Westbrook tearing up the NBA night after night. Tonight, he managed to break a record that has stood since 1962 when he recorded his 42nd "Triple Double" of the season.
Russell Westbrook passes his way into the history books with his 42nd triple-double of the season!#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/FjdhnxCKws
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2017
A triple-double means getting into double figures in three different aspects of the game (generally points, rebounds and assists) in a generally lauded figure in basketball.
It's one of the aspects of the game that can be alien to European sports fans, given it's such an individual accolade. The crowd in Denver last night stood to applaud Westbrook when he achieved the feat.
The Thunder have made the playoffs which start next week, but are not generally seen as a contender this year. Because of that, their entire story this season has been about Westbrook's record and the team has been built around it.
He spoke about the record after the game like he was accepting an Oscar.
It’s amazing. It’s something I never could have dreamed about as a kid. I’m very thankful and blessed to be able to go out and compete at the highest level. I’m thankful to my team-mates and my coaching staff, my fans, my family. My motto was ‘why not?’ and I always stick by it ... I continue to strive to be the best I can be.
His fellow NBA stars were quick to offer congratulations on Westbrook's achievement.
Congrats to the Brodie @russwest44 on setting the record!!! #WhyNot #42 #StriveForGreatness🚀
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 9, 2017
wow russ. give that man the mvp.
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) April 9, 2017
Congrats @russwest44 ! Never thought in my lifetime I would see a person avg a triple double.. while leading the nba in SCORING. #MVP WOW.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 9, 2017
History made @russwest44!! Unbelievable season so far brother. 42 triple doubles...AND THE GAME WINNER HAHA!!! Wow. #WhyNot #42 #Day1 #Ern
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) April 9, 2017
Interestingly, his old mate Durant was not among those who offered their congratulations on twitter.
