Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the entire 2016-17 NBA season (42 total) and broke Oscar Robertson’s single-season record — winning MVP while carrying Oklahoma City after Kevin Durant’s departure.
The Historic Season
2016-17: Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists per game. First player since Oscar Robertson (1961-62) to average triple-double for full season.
42 triple-doubles (broke Robertson’s record of 41). Clutch performances. Dunks. Screaming. Intensity. “Why Not?” mentality.
April 9, 2017: Season-ending triple-double vs. Nuggets — 50 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists. Buzzer-beater to clinch playoffs. Thunder won 47-35. Westbrook collapsed in tears.
Unanimous MVP. First player to average triple-double and win MVP since Robertson.
Post-KD Thunder
Kevin Durant left OKC for Warriors (July 2016). Westbrook stayed. Shouldered entire offensive load. Pure rage and determination fueled season.
Westbrook vs. Durant narrative: loyalty vs. rings. Westbrook represented Thunder fans’ anger. Every dunk felt like “fuck KD.”
Triple-Double Streak
Westbrook averaged triple-double THREE consecutive seasons (2017, 2018, 2019). Only player in NBA history.
Became NBA’s all-time triple-double leader (surpassed Robertson’s 181 career triple-doubles in 2021). Finished career with 198+ triple-doubles.
Stat-Padding Debate
Critics accused Westbrook of stat-padding:
- Rebounds that guards don’t usually grab
- Assists forced to hit 10
- High usage rate hurting team efficiency
Defenders: He willed Thunder to playoffs, carried offense, impossible workload.
Legacy
2017 season remains iconic — pure willpower, emotion, statistical dominance. Later years (Rockets, Lakers, Wizards, Clippers) showed decline.
But 2016-17 Westbrook was unstoppable force of nature. One man vs. NBA. The rage season.
Source: NBA.com