By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Last season, Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double and this year Ben Simmons, James Harden, LeBron James have had some remarkable performances, putting up high numbers across the board.
Yesterday, however, Russell Westbrook put up 27 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists; a triple-double on a triple-overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers. There have been just six players in the history of the NBA to have recorded a 15/15/15 triple-double, and Westbrook is to only one who has done it three times!
Russell Westbrook / Oklahoma City Thunder (3)
- Date: January 16, 2015
- Stat Line: 17 points, 15 rebounds, 16 assists
- Date: February 24, 2017
- Stat Line: 17 points, 19 rebounds, 17 assists
- Date: December 15, 2017
- Stat Line: 27 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists
The 2017 MVP, had an incredible season last year, as he put up historic numbers and became just the second player after Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for a season. In his historic season, Westbrook also managed to put up a 15/15/15 triple-double with 17 points, 19 rebounds and 17 assists in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He has put up these types of numbers in his career three times (no other player has done it three times), but he has the skills to do it again.
On February 24th, 2017 in Chesapeake Arena, Westbrook led the Thunder to a 93-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. All night he crashed the boards, run in transition, played the pick and roll with Taj Gibson to perfection, but he also scored 17 points. On December 15, 2017, and a triple-overtime win against the Sixers, Westbrook scored 27 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and handed out 15 assists. Finally, he also had a 27/18/15 triple-double against the Golden State Warriors back in 2015.
James Harden / Houston Rockets (1)
- Date: December 31, 2016
- Stat Line: 53 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists
James Harden was unstoppable against the New York Knicks in the final day of 2016 as he put up historic numbers of 53 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists. He became the first player to ever put up 50+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 15+ assists. In the 2016-17 season, he finished second in MVP voting behind Russell Westbrook. For the season he averaged 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game.
This year he has started his campaign for the MVP as he is putting up similar numbers to last year, scoring 31.5 points, handing out 9.3 assists and grabbing 5.1 rebounds per game. His stat-line of the 50+/15+/15+ triple-double will remain special for a long time.
Rajon Rondo / Boston Celtics
- Date: March 4, 2012
- Stat Line: 18 points, 17 rebounds, 20 assists
Against the New York Knicks, Rajon Rondo managed to put up incredible numbers, and flirt with the 20/20/20 triple-double. When he played for the Celtics, Rondo was known for his triple-doubles and court vision, but also his ability to rebound the basketball from a point guard position and start the fast break.
Jason Kidd / Dallas Mavericks (2)
- Date: January 30, 1996
- Stat Line: 21 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists
- Date; February 26, 2010
- Stat Line: 19 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists
Jason Kidd has put up a 15+/15+/15+ triple-double in his career twice, but he is third in the all-time triple-double list as he has had 107 as a point guard. He loved to run in transition, find open teammates but also grab important rebounds for his respective team. Kidd was something special to watch back in the 2000’s. On January 30, 1996, and just his second year in the NBA, he recorded a 21/16/16 triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers.
After his first 15+/15+/15+ triple-double, it took him 14 years to record another one. Against the Atlanta Hawks, as a Maverick once again, Kidd finished the game with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists, proving that his gift of passing and rebounding was still in him.
Magic Johnson / Los Angeles Lakers (2)
- Date: April 1, 1989
- Stat Line: 20 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists
- Date: April 18, 1989
- Stat Line: 24 points, 17 rebounds, 17 assists
Perhaps the greatest point guard of all-time, Magic Johnson put up more than many triple-doubles in his 13 seasons. To be exact, he has 138 triple-doubles and is second just behind Oscar Robertson on the all-time list. On April 1989 however, Magic was on another level. On April 1, 1989, against the Denver Nuggets, he scored 20 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and handed out 15 assists proving how special he was.
Just 17 days after, the Los Angeles Lakers played once again, against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center and he went and put up similar numbers, finishing the game with 24 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists.
Larry Bird / Boston Celtics
- Date: April 1, 1987
- Stat Line: 30 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists
The three-time NBA champion, Larry Bird, has put up some incredible numbers in his career, scoring –wise, from the field and the three-point line. With 59 triple-doubles however, he ranks sixth on the all-time list. It is also significant to note as many people do not know that for his career, he averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
On April 1, 1987, against the Washington Bullets, he did something unusual. He became the first basketball player to put up a 15/15/15 triple-double as he finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists.