Russell Westbrook On Pace For Most Triple Doubles Since Michael Jordan In 1989

Now that the Kevin Durant saga is out of the way, Russell Westbrook is balling out of his mind. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is currently video game mode, recording a triple double in each of his last five games. His Jordan Brand boss and mentor Michael Jordan was the last NBA player to accomplish this feat, racking up seven straight triple doubles in 1989. Oscar Robertson also notched seven straight in 1961, with Wilt Chamberlain holding the record with nine in 1968.

Westbrook has averaged 28.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 13.8 assists over the five-game span.

Though Jordan is famously competitive, he no doubt is proud of his MVP candidate protégé, saying that Westbrook reminds him of himself as a young player hungry to win.

“When I watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball,” Jordan said at Westbrook’s Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction last month. “The way I played the game of basketball.”

Westbrook will try for a sixth triple double tonight when the Thunder tip off in Atlanta, 7:30pm EST.