By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Scoring, individual performances, including Devin Booker’s 70 point game, three-point shots (Stephen Curry’s 13 made three-pointers), three-point attempts (JR Smith’s 22 attempted three-point field goals record), triple-doubles (Westbrook’s 42 in a single season) and more shots night in and night out have changed the NBA. The game is becoming faster, with more possessions, transition game basketball, and free-throws.
Last year, however, Russell Westbrook shocked the world as he finished the season setting an NBA single-season triple-double record with 42 and averaging a triple-double for the season, becoming just the second player to do just that after Oscar Robertson had done it back in the 1960s.
Point guards are scoring and rebounding the basketball while also handing out assists making plays for their teammates, as forwards use their size and height to facilitate the offense over the defenders but also rebound and score the basketball.
Just some hours after Ben Simmons put up 18 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds against the Lakers, Eurohoops presents you the players who could replicate what Westbrook did last season and average a triple-double for an entire season.
Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
Position: Point Forward
Age: 21
Height: 2.08m / 6’10’’
Stats 2017/2018: 17.2 points, 7.7 assists, 9.2 rebounds
In just his first year in the NBA, Simmons is already making a lot of noise in the NBA world as he is putting up phenomenal numbers, while also helping his team get some critical wins. There is no question he is the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, the question if in his career he could average a triple-double for the entire season and how good of a player he can be.
The 21-year old Australian point-forward is averaging 7.7 assists per game and has had three games where he has handed out 10+ assists. What is significant to note, is Simmons’ movement in the court, how he facilitates the offense using his incredible court vision and height to flash passes over the defenders, but also his ability to drive in the lane and finish with a flashy dunk or lay-up. At 2.08m (6’10’’ft) he is a point-forward who pushes the tempo, loves to run in transition and bring up the ball for this young 76ers team who loves to run on the open court.
As he becomes older, has the experience to grab easier rebounds and hand out easy assists on the fast breaks, but also perfect the pick and roll with Joel Embiid he will be a big problem for defenses. He even can relentlessly score the basketball by driving in the paint and finishing dunk after dunk, which shows he has all the skills to average a triple-double for a season in the future.
Lonzo Ball (Los Angeles Lakers)
Position: PG
Age: 20
Height: 1.98m (6’6’’)
Stats 2017/2018: 9 points,6.9 assists, 6.6 rebounds
Even though the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has not started off great his NBA career, he has shown signs of his unique talent and passing gift. In the first 15 games as a rookie, Lonzo Ball is averaging 9 points on a mediocre 30.3% from the field. Despite having shooting struggles early on in the year, the 20-year old is also averaging 6.9 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game while the Lakers have a fair 6-9 record.
He knows his spacing, where he should be on the court to grab easy rebounds and run in transition to find open guys driving the lane or waiting for a shot on the perimeter. His passing gift and high basketball IQ gives him the skills and ability to hand out many assists night in and night out. Lonzo has to work on his body, become stronger in order to rebound 50/50 balls in the air, and also work on his mid-range game, which will be needed from him in the future.
In just his 13th NBA game, managed to post up a triple-double, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to do it, breaking LeBron James’ record. It is very early, it has been only 15 games to make assumptions, but his length, passing first mentality, basketball IQ and love for the game of basketball could turn him into a star.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Position: F
Age: 22
Height: 2.11m (6’11’’)
Stats 2017/2018: 30.6 points, 4.6 assists, 10 rebounds
At just 22 years of age, the “Greek Freak” is already putting up MVP type numbers and leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a winning record. Giannis is one of the best in transition basketball, as he can finish through contact with an incredible dunk or lay-up, while he can also post up defenders, ‘bully’ them inside the paint as well as kick it out to the open guy.
Even though he is averaging 4.6 assists per game this year, once he gets older he could rack up a few more using his experience and approach the 10-assist mark. This year he has not managed to post up a triple-double so far, but his numbers alone are just ridiculous. What is also really special about him is that he does so many things on the court, as steal passes, block shots, hand out assists, play lockdown defense but also score 30+ points every night that make him a rare and unique talent in this league.