Westbrook becomes NBA’s second 20-20-20 man
Credit to Author: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE| Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:24:29 +0000
LOS ANGELES: Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook posted an astonishing triple-double of 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in another historic display of all-around excellence.
Westbrook was already closing in on a third straight season averaging a triple-double — achieving double digits in three key statistical categories in a game.
In the 2016-17 season he set the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42, averaging a triple-double in that campaign and again last season.
With his performance on Tuesday in a 119-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, he joined NBA icon Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player in NBA history to post a triple-double of at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists.
Chamberlain did it in 1968, when he had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists in a game for the Philadelphia 76ers against Detroit.
Westbrook dedicated his performance to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was gunned down on Sunday in Los Angeles.
“That wasn’t for me,” Westbrook told broadcaster TNT after the game. “That was for my bro. That’s for Nipsey — 20 plus 20 plus 20 … that’s for my bro, rest in peace Nipsey.”
Playoff bound but losers of seven of their last 10, the Thunder can use every win they can get in the final week of the regular season.
“Each game is important now,” Westbrook said. “I’m just thankful to be able to go out and compete at a high level. I’m thankful to have these teammates, thankful and humbled to be able to go out and play the game I love.”
Wizards fire Grunfeld as president after playoff miss
Washington Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld was fired on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) by team owner Ted Leonsis after the NBA club missed the playoffs for the second time in four seasons.
The Wizards are 32-46 with four games remaining in the current campaign and ensured of their worst season since 2012-13.
“We did not meet our stated goals of qualifying for the playoffs this season and, despite playing with injuries to several key players, we have a culture of accountability and a responsibility of managing to positive outcomes,” Leonsis said.
Tommy Sheppard, the Wizards senior vice president of basketball operations, will report to Leonsis in place of Grunfeld starting immediately as the team prepares to begin the search for a new basketball operations boss once the season ends next week.
Romanian-born Grunfeld, 63, oversaw Wizards basketball operations for the past 16 seasons, being hired prior to the 2003-04 campaign.
Under his direction, the Wizards went 568-724 and reached the playoffs eight times. They were ousted four times in the first round, including last year by Toronto, and four times in the second round, falling to Boston in 2017 after winning their first division title since their 1979 run to the finals.
As a player, Grunfeld was in the NBA from 1977 to 1986 with Milwaukee, New York and the Kansas City Kings. He became a US citizen in 1976, the same year he helped the Americans to a gold medal at the Montreal Olympics.
AFP
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