In December 2016, in the midst of Russell Westbrook capturing the imagination of basketball fans everywhere en route to his first season averaging a triple-double, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar downplayed the significance of his ongoing statistical achievement.

“Honestly, man, people and this triple-double thing is kind of getting on my nerves, really,” he told The Oklahoman's Brett Dawson. “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 care. It is what it is. I really don't care. For the hundredth time. I don't care. All I care about is winning, honestly. All the numbers shit don't mean nothing to me.”

One MVP award, almost two full seasons, and hordes of triple-doubles later, Westbrook still does all he can to deflect attention away from his historic ability to stuff the stat sheet. Even he, though, has to admit that this latest triple-double related accomplishment means more than those of the past.

After collecting his third assist on Friday night in the Thunder's game against the Detroit Pistons, Westbrook clinched a triple-double average for a mind-blowing third consecutive season.

In 2016-17, Westbrook become only the second player in league history, and first since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, to average a triple-double, an achievement previously considered impossible that propelled him to the MVP. He managed the same feat last year to much less fanfare, while his round-number exploits this season have gone comparatively unnoticed.

In a way, though, this triple-double season is an indication of Westbrook's worth more than any other. Why? He hasn't had his jumper all season, even struggling to shoot from the line, en route to a ghastly true shooting percentage of 49.9. Westbrook has always prided himself on affecting the game in more ways than one, and with his jumper failing him, he's nevertheless been able to positively impact the Thunder in a myriad of ways — a reality most easily reflected by him making triple-double history yet again.