What is a Triple Double in Basketball
If you are basketball enthusiastic, then you might want to know about the players performance in different sorts of categories. But the question is, what if a player scores in double digits for at least three categories or more than it? So let’s understand what it actually calls for full disclosure.
As we all know, basketball is a game of statistics, and the players are measured not only by how many points they score but also by how they contributed to the different categories while playing a game, such as passing, rebounding, and defense. Among these statistical achievements. One of the most celebrated and rare feats is the triple-double.
Let’s first try to understand the meaning of it.
Meaning Of Triple Double
In basketball, a triple-double occurs when a player achieves double-digit stats (10 or more) in three different statistical categories during a single game. The most common categories for a triple-double are:
Points: The total number of baskets a player scores.
Rebounds: it is about recovering the shot if a player misses to hit the basket.
Assists: it means that when a player passes the ball to his teammate to lead or to have the basket directly.
Keeping this factor aside, there are also a few categories that can be used to have triple doubles.
Steals: When a player legally takes away the ball from his opponent.
Blocks: It means when a player tries to stop an opponent’s shot by deflecting the ball before it reaches the basket.
It said to be that the most common triple-double is the combination of points, rebounds, and assists. But any combination of these five categories can be used to achieve the successful triple double.
The Significance of a Triple Double
A triple-double highlights the players ability to impact the game across various dimensions. We know scoring points is crucial, but a player who achieves a triple-double is not just focused on the one particular category of a game but also making significant contributions in playmaking, rebounding, and defense as well. It is a well-rounded performance that can shift the momentum of a game.
For example, if the players achieve the triple double in the game, it simply means that they are helping the team in multiple ways, which can be associated with scoring points, facilitating teammates’ scoring opportunities, and retrieving the ball for more offensive chances. This capability makes the triple-double a rare and impressive accomplishment.
How The Story Of Trible Double Started
The concept of the triple-double got attention when it became popular in the years of the late 1970s and early 1980s. One of the first players to bring the spotlight or significant attention to this was Oscar Robertson, who is widely regarded as the “king” of triple doubles.
In the season of 1961-62, Robertson over the course of the entire season had made an average triple double. which was a really monumental feat to NBA history. He recorded an average of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game, and his record stood for decades.
In modern basketball, Russell Westbrook has been the face of the triple-double. Not even this, he also breaks Oscar Robertson’s record for the most career triple-doubles (but also including the averaged triple-double over several seasons). His aggressive style of play, ability to score, facilitate, and rebound all this makes him a triple-double machine.
Notable Player And Triple Double Record
Most Career Triple-Doubles: Russell Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in the history of the NBA; he also surpasses the legendary player Oscar Robertson’s, who was standing to the previous record of 181.
Youngest Player to Record a Triple-Double: Luka Dončić became the youngest player in history to record a triple-double at the age of 19 years.
Triple-Doubles in a Season: Westbrook also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single season with 42 in the year 2016-17.
Most Triple Double In NBA History
- Russell Westbrook – 199 triple-doubles
- Oscar Robertson – 181 triple-doubles
- Magic Johnson – 138 triple-doubles
- Nikola Jokić – 130 triple-doubles
- Lebron James – 112 triple-doubles
- Jason Kidd – 107 triple-doubles
- Wilt Chamberlain – 78 triple-doubles
- James Harden – 77 triple-doubles
- Luka Doncic – 77 triple double
- Lary Bird – 59 triple double
At The End
A triple-double is considered one of the most celebrated achievements in basketball, similar to the double-double, because it showcases a player’s ability to excel in multiple areas of the game. Weather it is From Oscar Robertson to Russell Westbrook, the triple-double has always been a mark of greatness.
As the game of basketball evolves, the triple-double will continue to be a coveted stat that signifies the versatility, skill, and determination of the players who achieve it.
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