The triple double – The basketball lexicon

It was one of the rarest and most difficult achievements in our sport. Yet in recent years, achieving a triple-double has become commonplace for a handful of players who are redefining modern basketball, allowing them to write their names in gold in the history books.

What is a triple double? 🤔

To put it simply, a triple double is when you reach 10 points in three different statistical categories. In most cases, to achieve one, you need to score 10 points, make 10 assists and grab 10 rebounds. Of course, depending on the position, the statistics may vary. For centres, with the exception of Nikola Jokic, assists are often replaced by blocks. As you can see, achieving a triple-double in 48 minutes is a huge feat that is not as easy as it looks… And yet, some players have managed to make it commonplace since the 2010s.

Russell Westbrook, the king of triple-doubles 👑

There’s a good reason why he’s nicknamed ‘Mr. Triple-Double’ in the NBA. It all started during the 2016-2017 season. Defeated in the conference finals by the Golden State Warriors after leading the series 3-1, Kevin Durant decided to join his tormentors during the off-season, leaving the Thunder’s keys to Russell Westbrook. It was a stormy departure, marked by a strong sense of betrayal, which prompted Brodie to extend his contract with Oklahoma City. He put that hatred to good use for his franchise. Before the last game of the regular season, ‘Russ West’ was 41 triple-doubles away from achieving his goal. He needed just one more to join Oscar Robertson (11-time champion) and become only the second player in the history of the major league to finish an entire season with a triple-double average. And against the Denver Nuggets, the prophecy came true in a game that will go down in history thanks to a completely crazy finish. That year, he also achieved nine consecutive triple-doubles, the longest streak since Michael Jordan in 1989. In short, it was a historic season that logically earned him the MVP title.

But Brodie isn’t going to stop there. That would be too easy. So, to mark the occasion, Russell Westbrook will achieve FOUR seasons with a triple-double average between 2016 and 2021, including three consecutive ones 🤯 :

• OKC Thunder 2016/2017: 31.6 points, 10.3 assists, 10.6 rebounds → MVP

• OKC Thunder 2017/2018: 25.3pts, 10.2 assists, 10 rebounds → X MVP

• OKC Thunder 2018/2019: 22.9pts, 10.7 assists, 11 rebounds → X MVP
• Washington Wizards 2020/2021: 22.2 points, 11.7 assists, 11.5 rebounds → X MVP

An incredible streak that will go down in NBA history. In 2021, he will also surpass Oscar Robertson in career triple-doubles, with 182. However, from the 2021/2022 season onwards, Brodie will struggle to continue his impressive run. Relegated to sixth man status with the Lakers, the Clippers and then the Denver Nuggets, Russ West will occupy a position less conducive to big performances, but will still be capable of some spectacular feats. At the time of writing, Russell Westbrook has achieved 203 triple-doubles in his career, but he is closely followed by one of his teammates who could overtake him fairly quickly…

The Nikola Jokic phenomenon 👽

If I told you that he was selected 41st in the 2014 draft, in the middle of an advert for chicken nuggets, and that he is now a three-time MVP of the league, would you believe me? I admit, even I would find it hard to believe myself. Yet it’s the truth. Nikola Jokic is a true alien who redefines modern basketball with every game. A 2.10m, 129kg centre, the Joker is the anomaly of the big league. Despite his size and weight, the centre plays like a quick and skilful 1.80m point guard. With incredible vision, passing skills worthy of the best point guards in history and a scoring ability that is as impressive as it is frustrating for us mere amateur basketball players, Nikola Jokic manages to achieve triple-doubles, each one crazier than the last. At the heart of the Denver Nuggets’ project, his teammates gravitate around him, allowing him to always keep an eye on their movements so he can serve them in the best possible conditions and make numerous decisive passes. The Joker also uses his outstanding attacking skills to score three-pointers and drive his opponent into the paint to score close to the basket. Of course, his height and imposing physique allow him to grab rebounds galore on both sides of the court.

The Joker has mastered his unusual physique to perfection, turning it into his greatest weapon and producing one incredible performance after another, to the point of making history in the big league. As proof, this season, the Serbian became the first player to score more than 30 points, deliver 20 assists and grab 20 rebounds in a single game since the NBA was founded.

A completely insane set of statistics. This season, the Sombor native has 30 triple-doubles in 64 games played and ranks third in the all-time standings with 160 in his career.