Russell Westbrook’s incredible start to the season can’t get enough attention as far as news outlets are concerned, but the man himself is just about over it.
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After not recording a triple-double in the Thunder's 109-89 loss to the Jazz (which seems more noteworthy than actually getting one), Westbrook told reporters to knock it off with all the triple-double talk.
"Honestly, man, people and this triple-double thing is kind of getting on my nerves," Westbrook said (via ESPN.com).
"People think if I don't get it, it's like a big thing. When I do get it, it's a thing. If y'all just let me play ... If I get it, I get it. If I don't, I don't. It is what it is. I really don't care. For the 100th time, I don't care."
Westbrook had 27 points, five assists and five rebounds in the loss, dropping his season averages to 30.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.5 assists through 26 games. Which, to be frank, is still outrageous.
On the back of Westbrook’s historic start, the Thunder are 15-11 and seventh in the Western Conference.
"All I care about is winning, man, honestly," Westbrook said. "All the numbers ... don't mean nothing to me."
Westbrook’s recent streak of seven straight triple-doubles matched a feat accomplished by only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. He has a realistic shot to join Robertson as the only players to average a triple-double through an entire season.
Given the constant talk of the possibility, Westbrook claims he doesn’t think about the historical implications of his play.
"I don't know what's realistic," Westbrook said. "I just go out and play every night, and that's it. I really don't care what people think is real or not. I just go out and compete, and that's it."
Hate to break it to you, Russ, but if you keep playing out of your mind, everyone will keep talking about it.