Oscar Robertson happy for Westbrook, backs him to win MVP

The Big O isn't salty about his 55-year-old record being broken.

Russell Westbrook notched his 42nd triple-double of the season on Sunday, topping Oscar Robertson's record of 41 set in 1961-62.

"I could not be happier for him," Robertson wrote in a post for The Undefeated. "Congratulations to Russell Westbrook on a magnificent season!"

Related: Triple-double record celebrated in Westbrook, Big O highlight mashup

The 78-year-old said in March he hoped the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard would average a triple-double for the season. Russ accomplished that in Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, joining Robertson as the only players in history to average at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists per game.

Robertson had high praise for Westbrook and his "remarkable" run.

"I admire Westbrook's all-around command of the game. He is a marvelous athlete who plays with intensity and flair and is exciting to watch. His performance this season is impressive. He would have been great in any era," he wrote.

The 12-time All-Star also supports Westbrook's MVP candidacy for the following reasons:

1.) He took over the offense for the Oklahoma City Thunder after Kevin Durant's blockbuster departure for the Golden State Warriors as a free agent changed the team's composition.

2.) This season, he beats any other guard in a head-to-head matchup.

3.) Most important, he should be rewarded for his outstanding play this season and his career-making individual accomplishments.

Westbrook matched another of Robertson's records in becoming the only other guard to lead his squad in rebounding.

The 28-year-old also logged his 79th career triple-double in Sunday's 106-105 win over the Denver Nuggets to pass Wilt Chamberlain for the fourth-most all time. The Big O holds the top spot with 181 triple-doubles over his 14-year Hall of Fame career, when the feat wasn't even considered a stat.