Tracy McGrady on Westbrook: 'He just plays harder than everybody'





As Russell Westbrook nears another season averaging a triple-double, many around the NBA are beginning to reflect on how difficult that accomplishment is to pull off.

While some have often accused Westbrook of stat-padding to achieve his triple-doubles, those that have played the game recognize how tough of a milestone that is.

Westbrook needs just three more assists over the final four games of the regular season for the Thunder to record a third straight season averaging a triple-double.

On Wednesday’s edition of The Jump, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady joined host Rachel Nichols in discussing Westbrook posting another season with a triple-double average.

Putting up numbers in a single night, you can do that but to do a triple-double over the course of a season is extremely difficult and Russ is on the verge of doing that for his third consecutive year. The reason why he is able to do that is because, pretty much, every night he steps on the basketball court, he is the best athlete. He is the hardest-playing athlete; his athleticism is off of the charts. He just plays harder than everybody. His motor goes faster and harder than everybody on every night.

After his historic performance on Tuesday night, the Thunder point guard is averaging 23 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists in 69 games played this season.

Last year, Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in consecutive seasons and will extend his record to a third straight season soon, likely on Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

Westbrook has been accused of being a lot of things over the years but no one can take away the fact that he never takes a play off. He gives 100 percent on every possession and that has translated into some tremendous success recently.

The Thunder are 107-28 all-time when Westbrook has a triple-double.

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