Sports

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban Is Still Refusing to Call Russell Westbrook a Superstar

It's time to see the error of your ways, Mark Cuban.

Mark Cuban realizing how bad the Mavericks are going to be this season.
Image via USA Today Sports/Kevin Jairaj
USA Today Sports

Have you ever been in an argument where you know you're wrong, but you continue pushing forward because you simply don't want to admit defeat? That's Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban right now.

When the Mavericks faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season, Cuban discussed the former OKC tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, calling Durant the only superstar on the team. When asked about Westbrook, the Mavs owner said, "He's an All-Star but not a superstar."

With Durant gone, Westbrook is single-handedly leading the Thunder to the sixth-best record (14-9) in the Western Conference with an MVP caliber this season, racking up 12 triple-doubles. Russ, who is currently averaging 30.9 points, 11.3 assists, and 10.8 rebounds per game, is also on pace to becoming only the second player (Oscar Robertson) in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season. And on Friday night against the Rockets, Westbrook became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to record his seventh straight triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Jordan even stated in August that Westbrook is the spitting image of his tenacity for the love of the game from 30 year ago. So, does Cuban consider Westbrook a superstar now? Not yet.

"Right now he's putting up the numbers of a superstar. That's for sure," Cuban said, according to the Dallas Morning News. "We'll see (at the end of the season) if he's a superstar or if he's pretty damn good. I'm not saying he's not going to prove me wrong and he'll be a superstar by the end of the year. But I'll stick by my definition."

Wait, so Westbrook is putting up the numbers of a superstar, but he still won't call him a superstar? C'mon, Cuban, you're literally 1 of 1 at this point.

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to [email protected].

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