Expert Perkins suggested retiring Westbrook's number and erecting a statue for him in Oklahoma
- Expert Ken Perkins suggested retiring Westbrook's number.
- He also called for a statue to be erected in honor of the player.
- Westbrook holds the league record — 209 triple-doubles.
- The club has not retired any numbers yet.
Ken Perkins, NBA champion of the 2007/2008 season with the Boston Celtics and now a well-known sports commentator, suggested on ESPN that the Oklahoma City Thunder officially honor Russell Westbrook. In his opinion, a deserving step would be to retire the player's number and erect a statue in his honor.
Perkins emphasized that Westbrook holds a special place in the history of the club. In his assessment, after Shaquille O'Neal, Westbrook is the second most significant player in Thunder history. This statement is backed by statistics: over 18 seasons in the NBA, Westbrook accumulated 209 triple-doubles, thus surpassing Oscar Robertson's record set in 2021.
Additionally, Westbrook holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single regular season — 42 in the 2016/2017 season. This figure has not yet been surpassed by any player in the league.
In the NBA, the tradition of retiring a number and erecting statues is usually reserved for those who have left an indelible mark on the history of the club and the league as a whole. Examples include Michael Jordan (No. 23, 'Chicago Bulls'), Kobe Bryant (No. 8 and No. 24, 'Los Angeles Lakers'), and LeBron James (No. 23, 'Cleveland Cavaliers'). So far, the Thunder have not officially retired any numbers, but Perkins' proposal seems like a potential precedent.
For the club, such a step could symbolize recognition of Westbrook's contribution to shaping the identity of the Thunder. The player spent over ten seasons in Oklahoma, was the team captain, and his style of play—aggressive drives and constant attempts to gather statistical 'triples'—became the franchise's hallmark.
However, the decision to retire a number and erect a monument is made by the club's management in conjunction with the owners and fans. As of now, there has been no official response from the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the discussion has already gained significant resonance in sports media and among fans.
Source: Championat
