An ESPN media personality, on his April 24th, 2018 podcast, backpats Russell Westbrook for averaging triple doubles the last two regular seasons. Basically: “A trip-dub is a trip-dub. Period.”…
Ten seconds later about Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio’s triple double vs. Oklahoma City in round 1, game 3, ESPN host says: “Well… Rubio went 2-9 from three.”
We just like round numbers… within reason. I remember asking some NBA fans what they would think if Westbrook, or any player, averaged a double-double along with 9.9 in a third statistical category. All of them rolled their eyes and groaned. “It would be a failure.”
Why a failure? Don’t we generally round up or down anyhow, when a stat is within 1/10? Yes. But… we just like those round numbers.
This is why Westbrook “stat pads.” He is infatuated with the numbers, and he knows that you are, too. He knows that the media, the members of which will ultimately judge his career, is in love with statistics. Westbrook clearly cares what the world thinks. As well he should, as an NBA player.
The professional athlete didn’t only become such because he was very good at his sport. He didn’t chase that dream just to compete against, and defeat, the best. Ultimately, he needs the adulation from people who watch.
You actually have to be good to stat-pad
These are not “nice guys.” You don’t get up there being sweet. You step on another man, figuratively and literally. You shelve family and friends and other pursuits. You are charged to improve, train, and beat someone.
So Westbrook openly pads his statistics, with some help from his teammates. Former NBA star Rick Barry noted that his contemporary Oscar Robertson (the last man to average a triple-double for a regular season) got his numbers in the natural flow of the games. This makes the Big O’s trip-dub admirable.
But does it downgrade Westbrook all that much? In the world of sports, Westbrook is justified in puffing himself. In entertainment, “Look at me.” is expected. Take it as it is.