There’s probably some sort of way to figure out how many triple-doubles Russell Westbrook would have if you replaced Steven Adams with Omer Asik. Some fancy method that involves shooting percentages and on-off court stats and all sorts of crazy stuff. Plus the fact that Asik would drop literally every pass thrown to him by the triple-double machine.
I’m too lazy to calculate it all out, so I’m just going to estimate the answer: Zero. None. Zippola. Nada. No triple-doubles at all if Adams isn’t there converting every hook and slamming every lob. Suddenly, Westbrook’s MVP-caliber season is cast in a different light. Maybe it’s time to reconsider who the REAL MVP of the Thunder is?
Hint: it’s Steven Adams.