Russell Westbrook notched a triple-double for the 182nd time on Monday night, passing Oscar Robertson for the all-time lead.
“Normally I don’t like to pat myself on the back, but tonight I will just because I’m so grateful for the ones before me and so blessed and thankful for the man above for allowing me to go out and do what I do. I take this job very seriously.”
When Westbrook joined Washington, his reputation proceeded him, though many of the team’s players could imagine the kind of intensity that Westbrook brought on a daily basis until seeing it up close. With the Wizards rapidly ascending, the triple-double leader continues to gain respect from those around the game with Hall-of-Famer Gary Payton among those sharing verbal flowers.
“The kid is one of my favorites. So, I could care less what people think about him. Stay yourself and that’s what I like about him is that he stays himself,” Payton told Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’ of Bally Sports. “He doesn’t shy back from what he wants to do and what he wants to say.
“He’s doing it, he’s making it happen and if he keeps making it happen, don’t change for nobody. So be yourself and he’s been doing it successfully; they talk about how he can’t win with good players because he’s a cancer to other people, but they’re a cancer to him because he’s just a WINNER. That’s what happens when you get a guy with that winning mentality.”
More From Washington
- In an interesting feature, Westbrook revealed to Clay Skipper of GQ that he uses pushups in the morning to wake himself up. The whole interview, which features Westbrook’s fish-heavy diet, keys to consistency, and recovery methods, is worth a read.
- The Wizards will get another nationally televised game as the league has flexed their contest on Wednesday against the Hawks to ESPN. Washington came into the season with no scheduled national TV games, though their matchup with the Lakers in late April was flexed to ESPN as well.
- While Daniel Gafford has been a great pickup for the Wizards, the team still has a major need for a real difference-maker in the paint. The franchise could look to fill that spot via the draft and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has Texas big man Kai Jones as a fit. Jones is a high-risk, high-reward prospect due to his raw, yet promising game.
- ICYMI: Bradley Beal will miss Wednesday’s game against the Hawks with a hamstring injury. Beal will be re-evaluated before the contest against the Cavs on Friday.
