The 2023-24 NBA season has been unprecedented in terms of players recording triple-doubles. This is the first time in league history that three players have recorded 20 triple-doubles in a single season.
Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic are the three players who have accomplished the feat this season. What makes their efforts even more impressive is that they have played a significant role in their teams’ success on the court, and all three teams are competing for place in the Western Conference.
It should come as no surprise that all three players are hoping to garner some recognition for their triple-double abilities. Russell Westbrook, a point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is another player who understands how to win honors and rack up triple-doubles.
Not long ago, Westbrook was averaging a triple-double for full seasons. From 2016 to 2021, he completed the feat in four of five seasons, becoming the first player to do so since Oscar Robertson.
While Jokic hasn’t exactly averaged a triple-double in a season, he has come close. Last season, he averaged 9.8 assists per game, but fell just short. This season, he is averaging 9.0 assists, 12.4 rebounds, and 26.4 points, potentially making it his third MVP season.
Naturally, some NBA media members and fans are comparing Westbrook and Jokic’s accomplishments on the court. Unfortunately, Westbrook doesn’t want to hear about that comparison.
The Clippers and Denver Nuggets faced off last week, and Westbrook’s team won 102-100. After the game, he was asked about Jokic’s triple-double success, and Westbrook shot back, refusing to draw comparisons.
“Listen, nobody likes me. Nobody likes me. We’re going to halt that right there. Nobody likes me. Nikola is an excellent player, but he is not the same as I am. Obviously, he won MVP; he’s a tough guard, an outstanding passer, knows how to play the game well, and competes hard. “Tonight, we got the best of him,” Westbrook told Tomer Azarly on X.
I asked Russell Westbrook about fellow triple-double monster Nikola Jokic:
“Well listen, ain’t nobody like me. Ain't nobody like me. We’re gonna stop that right there. Nobody like me. Nikola is a hell of a player, but he’s not me, I’m not him. Obviously, he's won MVP, a tough… pic.twitter.com/YqECTieStB
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 5, 2024
That’s an unusual answer from Westbrook, who didn’t want to be compared to Jokic. However, there is no disputing the impact each of them has on their respective teams, as both dominate the stat sheet while guiding their sides to victory.
