Triple-double
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A triple-double is a basketball term, defined as an individual performance in a game in which a player accumulates double-digit totals (i.e., 10 or more) in any three of these categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
The most common way for a player to achieve a triple-double is with points, rebounds, and assists, though on occasion elite defensive players may record 10 or more steals or blocked shots in a game.
A triple-double is seen as an indication of an excellent all-around individual performance. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), they are rare but not unheard-of, as the top players usually accumulate a little less than 10 in a season (out of a possible 82 games in the regular NBA season). It should be noted that the criteria for an assist have been relaxed over time[1].
[edit] Remarkable NBA triple-doubles
- Averaging a triple-double over an entire season: only one player in NBA history, Oscar Robertson, has ever achieved this incredible feat. During the 1961-1962 season, Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game.
- All-time leader (regular season): Oscar Robertson is also the all-time leader with 181, followed by Magic Johnson with 138, Jason Kidd with 80 (as of December 13th, 2006), Wilt Chamberlain with 78, and Larry Bird in fifth with 59.
- Most triple-doubles in a single season: Oscar Robertson holds another record with 41 triple-doubles in one season during the 1961-62 NBA season. Wilt Chamberlain is in second place with 31 triple-doubles in the 1967-68 season.
- Youngest player: LeBron James logged a triple-double on January 19, 2005, versus the Portland Trail Blazers, aged 20 years and 20 days. He had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
- Oldest player: Karl Malone is the only 40-year-old player to do so, on November 28, 2003 with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists versus the San Antonio Spurs.
- Double-triple-double: this feat requires at least 20 of any 3 statistics. Wilt Chamberlain is the only player to have accomplished this; in a February 4, 1968 game, Chamberlain's statistics were 22 points, 25 rebounds, and 21 assists.
- Longest continuous streak: Wilt Chamberlain also holds the record for the most consecutive triple-doubles. In 1968, from March 8 to March 20, he recorded a triple-double in nine straight games.
