Russell Westbrook Motivated Despite Breaking Records

Despite making history on Thursday night, Russell Westbrook proved that he’s more humble than his demeanour and public comments suggests.

On a day where reports quoted him espousing his talent and insisting that he doesn’t care what people think, Russell Westbrook proved that it’s not all hot air either.

Russell Westbrook recorded his 11th consecutive triple double in the Thunder’s 131 – 122 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Last Monday’s triple double performance against the Trail Blazers was Westbrook’s 10th such performance, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record. His 44 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists on Thursday also made him the highest points scorer in franchise history. He is now ahead of Thunder/SuperSonics legend Gary Payton with 18,208 points.

Want $250 to bet on the NBA?

As well as that, it was the 12th time that Westbrook scored 40 + points in a triple double performance. That means he is tied with James Harden in second place for the second most 40 + triple-doubles in NBA history. The record is held by Oscar Robertson with 22.

However, Westbrook was in no mood to talk himself up after the game.

“I have so much room for improvement, just for me personally, because I know how good I can be and how much I can bring to the game and to help this team be successful,” he said.

“So I’m very, very optimistic.”

Asked where he can improve, he said: “Everywhere. Because I do everything.”

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan singled out Westbrook as the exception in an otherwise flat performance.

Read: Scottie Pippen Says LeBron James is No Michael Jordan… Again

“I thought Russell’s energy trying to lift up our team kind of kept us around, kept us hanging around,” Donovan said.

“He really played downhill, he got to the basket. That was the biggest thing — you noticed he got to the rim and then he was able to, you know, find people, and he did. But I think his energy and his inspiration was just trying to keep the guys in it.

“But I think his energy and his inspiration was just trying to keep the guys in it. Because just calling it like it was, we did not have the pop in my opinion that we needed to have. I think our guys were trying. We didn’t have it in some spots tonight, and that’s part of it. But I think Russ, as he always does, he was trying to will those guys in timeouts and get our team to fight, and we did.”