This Deserves A Post (Westbrook Streak)

Yeah, it has been almost a year since my last post. I'm fine with that, and you probably don't care to be honest. Just thought I had to acknowledge the fact that I'm aware of those things.

On to the subject at hand. Russell Westbrook has been on a tear the last nine days. "Snapping", "going off", all of the above. He is the only player since Michael Jordan to have four consecutive triple-doubles in the NBA. (Jordan's streak of consecutive triple-doubles is seven, which happened in the 1989 season.)

Westbrook's performance last night is in my opinion the most significant of all four. He was sidelined the previous game due to surgery on a facial fracture suffered in OKC's game against Portland on February 27th. Westbrook came back last night wearing a protective face mask to prevent any further damage. Most people thought that he would break his triple double streak by playing so soon after having surgery, but this did not seem to be a hindrance to Russell.

In the first quarter of last night's game against the 76ers, Westbrook had a stat line of 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. It was apparent from the jump that he was determined to keep this streak alive, and that the mask was not effecting his game one bit. Westbrook finished the game with an incredible 49 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The one main discrepancy in his stat line (according to many, but not myself) is that he took thirty-three shots last night. Westbrook has been criticized throughout the last month or so, while Kevin Durant has been sidelined due to injury, for taking too many shots. Granted, his 12-38 shooting performance in a loss to the Suns does deserve some skepticism,  I do not see an issue with last night's shot selection. Westbrook shot 48.5% from the field, scored 49 points, and his team won (in Overtime). I don't think this performance deserves any kind of criticism whatsoever.

We'll see if Westbrook can keep the triple-double streak alive tonight against the Bulls, in Chicago. Might be sort of fitting for the chase of Michael Jordan's record to end in MJ's old arena...