"It's just a blessing" Russell Westbrook on setting NBA triple-double record

STORY: Basketball NBA Westbrook Reaction - "It's just a blessing" Russell Westbrook on setting NBA triple-double record

LENGTH: 03:47

FIRST RUN:

RESTRICTIONS: See Script

TYPE: Eng/Nat sound

SOURCE: NBA Entertainment

STORY NUMBER: 5275129

DATELINE: 10th May 2021 - Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

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SHOTLIST: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 10th May, 2021.

1. 00:00 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (on setting NBA triple-double record):

"It's just a blessing. You know, you you put so much into the game, so much time, you sacrificed so much to put into the game and to be able to just be mentioned with guys like Oscar (Robertson) and Magic (Johnson) and Jason Kidd and those guys is just something I never dreamed about as a young kid growing up in L.A. and truly grateful for moments like this and something that I should you know, normally I don't like to pat myself on the back, but tonight I will just because, you know, I'm so grateful for the ones before me and so blessed and thankful for the men above, to allow me to go out and do what I do. And I take this job very seriously and I'm super grateful for all my teammates and coaches along my journey thus far. Special thanks to my family because they sacrificed so much of their time and energy away from me to allow me to do some of the things I'm able to do. "

2. 01:06 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (on passing Oscar Robertson's record):

"I'm super grateful for... especially for Oscar, because he paved the way for guys like myself. He endured different things back in the time where he was playing, where he was able to do that and still be effective on the floor. Not just that he changed the game for guys like myself. Definitely today to be able to pass him. I just want to thank him because without him and things he's able to do for the game, I probably wouldn't be here."

3. 01:42 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (if he knew he would break triple-double record):

"I never really thought about it, honestly. You know, I just kind of go out and play and every night I try to do things that people said it can't be done, I can't do it. And my mind goes, why not? And that's how I live. And that's how I think about each and every time I step on the floor, I try to do things that people said I can't or can't do, you know, over the years and proving people wrong."

4. 02:14 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (on how difficult it is to set this record):

"As a player in this league and to make it in this league, it's one thing. But to be in this league and consistently do great things and and try to do great things, it is tough to do. And the ones before me understand what that's like. Understand what that is to, understand the sacrifices, and understand the time it takes to be great. Guys like A.I (Allen Iverson), Oscar, Magic like I said the list can go on.

5. 02:46 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (on getting congratulatory messages):

"And in other videos of other players and other historic players in this league that play in this league and current players, I'm very appreciative of all those guys. Because they understand, the guys that play this game, understand that it takes (a lot), on your body and mental and physical. And I'm appreciative and thankful for all those messages."

6. 03:14 SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards Point Guard (on his achievement):

"But like I said last week, I'm the best playmaker in this league and I got no doubt in my mind and I do that every night. I know it seems normal, you know, at least from my point of view, but it is not man. I take a lot of pride to find a way to make my teammates, if I could make the game easy for them and, you know, just keep going. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the win today. But, you know, get ready for the next game and see how I can continue to make my teammates better. "

SOURCE: NBA Entertainment

DURATION: 03:47

STORYLINE:

Russell Westbrook has set the NBA record with his 182nd triple-double, surpassing the mark set by Oscar Robertson in 1974.

The 32-year-old Westbrook, in his 13th season overall and his first with the Washington Wizards, reached the milestone when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 8:29 left in Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Westbrook had 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists, closing out the game with a blocked shot.