WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards reacts prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
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Chris Haynes And Thaddeus Young Weigh-In On Russell Westbrook’s Triple-Doubles

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double for the fourth time in his career this season. He also two games away from tying NBA Hall of Famer, Oscar Robertson on the All-Time triple-double list, and three games from standing alone.

This season, Westbrook is averaging 21.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game for the Wizards through 59 games.

On Thursday, Yahoo reporter Chris Haynes was on the Clubhouse app and weighed in on Westbrook’s triple-doubles and Godly numbers this season.

“Say you are playing with the old school point guard the 80s and 90s. Primarily, you have a lot of point guards that wouldn’t be able to play in today’s game. Because the point guards back then weren’t shooting guards. They would primarily set the table and directly their pass would lead to an assist. And I know playing at the blacktop, you hated playing with those guys because they want to make that pass. When we talk about LeBron James, this guy is averaging eight assists a season,” said Chris Haynes.

“He is a player that will see two or three players ahead and say I’m going to pass the ball to the right side because I know that ball is going to lead to getting the next man open. Can we definitively say that Russ thinks like that? Because If we are talking about brilliance and being a winner, then at the end of the day, this is great, and we will continue to praise him. But, it is about winning, and if you are not playing to win, which means playing the right way. Meaning putting your teammates in a better position to score or make the right pass. Can we legitimately say Russ does that? Or is Russ coming down and wants to get the assist himself? If that is what most people think, then that’s a problem.”

Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young was also on stage and was asked the same question.

“Russ is probably one of the most dominant players in that game that I played against. He knows how to manipulate the game as far as his passing. He is probably the best rebounding guard I have ever seen, as far as getting in there and getting rebounds. He also knows that he will get ten to 15 shots a game to get 20 points and the free-throw line. So, that’s nothing to be talked about. Yes, Russ is a passer, so he passes when he sees the open player. When he drives to the basket, he will get doubled and triple; he will be able to kick it out to guys,” said Young.

“I was watching one of these games, and he made all the right reads. He came down, got in the lane, knew the big was coming and dumped it back to Daniel Gafford. His vision and court awareness, and as far him playing the game. I think his numbers come from how hard he plays and his work ethic. One thing about Russ, he doesn’t cheat the game.”

Speaking of cheating the game, some media and fans think the former MVP has been stat padding.

Last month, Westbrook addressed the naysayers.

“I honestly believe there is no player like myself. And if people wanna take it for granted, sorry for them. But I’m pretty sure if everybody could do it, they would do it,” according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.

“I’m pretty sure if everybody could do it, they would do it. I honestly make sure I impact the game in many ways every night; defending, rebounding, assisting, whatever it is my team needs from me to be able to win. That’s what I do. I really don’t, honestly, I don’t care what people think about it. I don’t care what anybody thinks of this whatever they want to call it ‘stat-padding’ or ‘not useful.’ I think it’s very interesting that it’s not useful now that I’m doing it. It wasn’t useful when Magic and Oscar and those guys were doing it. Now that I do it and it looks easy, this s*** ain’t easy, though. I’ll tell you that. It ain’t easy.”

The Wizards are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference and still have a shot to make the playoffs because of the play in format.

What do you think?

Written by Landon Buford

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