Everyone is stat-padding for TRIPLE DOUBLES. Yes … Everyone!

[L.Kizzle]

When I say everyone, I mean the majority of players. Not just Russell Westbrook, even Nikola Jokic and the likes.

10 season ago, Lance Stephenson led the league with a whopping 5 triple doubles. Who was second place, a two-way tie with Steph Curry and Jokim Noah with 4 each. No one was gunning for triple doubles; it was done organically back then. You’d be lying to yourself if you seriously don’t think guys are specially going out to get triple doubles. The stat sheet is available to them when they check out. “I only need 2 rebounds and 2 assist for a triple double, of course they’re going for it.”

In 2013, a total of 40 triple double were accomplished throughout the entire league. A few seasons later, Russell Westbrook puts up 42 by himself (in 2013, Russ only had 1 triple double.)

27-year-old MVP LeBron James had a total of 0 triple doubles in 2012. 40-year-old, season 22 LeBron James had 10 triple doubles this season. What stopped LeBron from getting multiple triple doubles 15 seasons ago … nothing. It just wasn’t a thing to do.

Westbrook changed the triple double culture in the modern NBA. And others just followed suite.

Also, random and surprising triple doubles facts:

Paul George/Kawhi Leonard/DeMar DeRozan have a total of 7 combined triple doubles. You’d think talented swings like them would be high up on the charts. Cade Cunningham has more this season (9) than those 3 combined.



Ben Simmons triple doubles have decreased every season he’s played. 12-rookie season; 10-sophmore season; 6-third season; 4-fourth season and 1-fifth season for a total of 33.

There was a four-way tie for the triple double leader in 1992. Gary Payton; David Robinson; Scottie Pippen & Michael Jordan each tallied 2 triple doubles.

[ImKobe]

Westbrook definitely made it a thing. I think it's also that teams are shooting more 3s, so it's easier for a guard to get more rebounds and also more assists as they just drive & kick it out for a 3.

[Im Still Ballin]

Giddey could get very close in the future.

[Wardell Curry]

No, they aren't. Westbrook absolutely did. Some others have as well.

But let's just look at Jokic.

He would be a double double machine no matter what. Hopefully there is zero disagreement here.

So as far as assists go, what do you want? Him to go into score mode every time down the floor or do you want someone else to handle the ball or do you want the Nuggets having a high motion offense where nobody handles the ball?

[Wardell Curry]

Show me a clip where Jokic was hunting for a triple double at the end of the game and I'll agree with you and not argue further but unless his interviews are a complete facade he may care less about personal stats than anyone else I've ever seen.

[ShawkFactory]

Show me a clip where Jokic was hunting for a triple double at the end of the game and I'll agree with you and not argue further but unless his interviews are a complete facade he may care less about personal stats than anyone else I've ever seen.

He's up there but as far as star players go, that has to be Duncan. He had couple regular seasons in the middle of his peak where he only did like 20/10. Truly didn't give a shit.

[L.Kizzle]

Show me a clip where Jokic was hunting for a triple double at the end of the game and I'll agree with you and not argue further but unless his interviews are a complete facade he may care less about personal stats than anyone else I've ever seen.
He runs the offense as a center, he doesn't need to hunt he has the ball in his hand 100% of the time. He grabs a rebound and pushes the ball up court instead of handing it off to the guard.

[L.Kizzle]

Westbrook definitely made it a thing. I think it's also that teams are shooting more 3s, so it's easier for a guard to get more rebounds and also more assists as they just drive & kick it out for a 3.
2025 team averages
Points - 113
Assist - 26
Rebounds - 44
3 pointers made/attmp - 13/37

2015
Points - 100
Assist - 22
Rebounds - 43
3s attempt/made - 8/23

2003
Points - 95
Assist - 21
Rebounds - 42
3s attempt/made 14/5

1992
Points - 105
Assist - 25
Rebounds - 43
3s attempt/made - 7/2

1984
Points 110
Assist 26
Rebounds 43
3s attempt/made 2.4/0.6

[Nowoco]

The triple double is the most overrated stat in all of sports. I didnt care about it then and I dont care about it now.

[Wally450]

Show me a clip where Jokic was hunting for a triple double at the end of the game and I'll agree with you and not argue further but unless his interviews are a complete facade he may care less about personal stats than anyone else I've ever seen.

I can't show a clip, but I remember looking at box scores last season and seeing him finish games with 10 rebounds or 10 assists on the dot for his triple double. Now is that something to look into? Probably not, but there were a lot of games where his triple doubles came with those exact numbers. No more, no less.

[FKAri]

When I say everyone, I mean the majority of players. Not just Russell Westbrook, even Nikola Jokic and the likes.

I've never seen an instance where Jokic stat padded. I watched a game this year where he was 1 assist away and the game was almost over. He was on a fast break with 1 other guy and layed it up himself. He also ends the season averaging 29.6 pts when he easily could've gotten that 30pt trip dub. He could've put more shots up in the last few games but the team was winning and other guys had it going.


No one was gunning for triple doubles; it was done organically back then..
Right...



But even Jordan has been caught in triple-double-mania.

During breaks in games, Jordan has been wandering over to the scorer's table to get updates on how many rebounds, assists and points he needs to fill his three double-figure quotas.

"The guys at the scorer's desk let me know what I need," he said. "They tell me, 'You need three assists; you need two rebounds."'

Jordan also has been double-checking the figures with Chicago assistants.

"They keep me in tune," he said. "They keep reminding me when I come back to the huddle, how much I need."

Last Sunday, at home against New Jersey, the 10th assist was Jordan's final goal.

"I knew I had nine assists," he said, "and I looked at (forward) Brad (Sellers), and said, 'Brad, can I count on you for my 10th?' And he said, 'yeah' and hit a jumper from the baseline."

Source: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1989/04/09/nba-jordan-not-taking-chances-in-gaining-triple-doubles/

[L.Kizzle]

I've never seen an instance where Jokic stat padded. I watched a game this year where he was 1 assist away and the game was almost over. He was on a fast break with 1 other guy and layed it up himself. He also ends the season averaging 29.6 pts when he easily could've gotten that 30pt trip dub. He could've put more shots up in the last few games but the team was winning and other guys had it going.


Right...

I know about Jordan triple doubles when he was running PG. He was trying to keep his streak alive. Common for players with streaks on the line. I clearly mentioned about ten years ago before the wide increase of it. Jokic had 34 triple doubles this season, you think they all happen by mere luck?
Just like that MJ comment, these players know there stats are. Jokic, Westbrook all know what they need to keep their avg alive.

[ImKobe]

2025 team averages
Points - 113
Assist - 26
Rebounds - 44
3 pointers made/attmp - 13/37



2024-25 we have the most-triple-doubles ever at 149 in one season, the top 9 seasons with most triple-doubles all have come from the last 10 years. You can't tell me it's not easier to get them now. Funny how this started happening right when the Warriors won their first championship and teams started playing smaller and shooting more 3s.

[999Guy]

He runs the offense as a center, he doesn't need to hunt he has the ball in his hand 100% of the time. He grabs a rebound and pushes the ball up court instead of handing it off to the guard.

He's better at passing than every player in the league except maybe Trae Young, why would he give the ball up? Hell he's better at scoring than damn near everybody too.

So what would Coach Kizzle do, put him in the corner or turn him into a rim run big like Clint Capela and watch the team fall apart.

[L.Kizzle]

2024-25 we have the most-triple-doubles ever at 149 in one season, the top 9 seasons with most triple-doubles all have come from the last 10 years. You can't tell me it's not easier to get them now. Funny how this started happening right when the Warriors won their first championship and teams started playing smaller and shooting more 3s.

Well, how do you explain 1984 when they avg just about the same points, rebounds, assist only the 3ball is the difference. 37 attempts compared to 2. Because, players are going for the triple double. If you're talented enough and play enough, you can get 10 assist and boards. The points is the easiest thing here.

[Axe]

Joker's fault.

[Meticode]

https://ptpimg.me/ph53ei.gif

[FKAri]

I know about Jordan triple doubles when he was running PG. He was trying to keep his streak alive. Common for players with streaks on the line. I clearly mentioned about ten years ago before the wide increase of it. Jokic had 34 triple doubles this season, you think they all happen by mere luck?
Just like that MJ comment, these players know there stats are. Jokic, Westbrook all know what they need to keep their avg alive.

There's one big thing you're discounting. The official scorer's themselves are often stat padding. I've seen Jokic get some very flimsy assists attributed to him. You can do a statistical analysis and it will tell you with high certainty if players(or scorekeepers) are trying to get to a triple double.

But that aside, you really think Jokic himself is stat padding? Have you watched him play? Yes his triple doubles are just accumulating through the flow of the game. If he didn't take any half court heaves this season his 3pt would be 43.8. Good for 5th in the league.

[ImKobe]

Well, how do you explain 1984 when they avg just about the same points, rebounds, assist only the 3ball is the difference. 37 attempts compared to 2. Because, players are going for the triple double. If you're talented enough and play enough, you can get 10 assist and boards. The points is the easiest thing here.

It wouldn't make sense that the total numbers would increase by a significant margin when the amount of possessions is about the same, it's about how the assists and rebounds are distributed. The league is way different in terms of style of play and with the elimination of the traditional PG and a traditional Center who just scores on post-ups, obviously there's some exceptions to this but it makes sense that there's more triple-doubles when a guy like Jokic, who would've been more of a traditional 5 in the 80s or 90s, is now generating more assists than he would've in previous eras because of all the 3s he's generating for his teammates.

[L.Kizzle]

It wouldn't make sense that the total numbers would increase by a significant margin when the amount of possessions is about the same, it's about how the assists and rebounds are distributed. The league is way different in terms of style of play and with the elimination of the traditional PG and a traditional Center who just scores on post-ups, obviously there's some exceptions to this but it makes sense that there's more triple-doubles when a guy like Jokic, who would've been more of a traditional 5 in the 80s or 90s, is now generating more assists than he would've in previous eras because of all the 3s he's generating for his teammates.
They're attempting the same amount of shots.
1984 was 88 shots on 110 points
2025 is 89 shots on 113 points

Both avg 26 assist as well.

Free throw attempts are 30 in 84 and 22 in 2025.

[L.Kizzle]

It wouldn't make sense that the total numbers would increase by a significant margin when the amount of possessions is about the same, it's about how the assists and rebounds are distributed. The league is way different in terms of style of play and with the elimination of the traditional PG and a traditional Center who just scores on post-ups, obviously there's some exceptions to this but it makes sense that there's more triple-doubles when a guy like Jokic, who would've been more of a traditional 5 in the 80s or 90s, is now generating more assists than he would've in previous eras because of all the 3s he's generating for his teammates.
They're attempting the same amount of shots.
1984 was 88 shots on 110 points
2025 is 89 shots on 113 points

Both avg 26 assist as well.

Free throw attempts are 30 in 84 and 22 in 2025.

[999Guy]

https://ptpimg.me/ph53ei.gif

You realize there hasn't been a significant rule change in over 20 years right?

This exact offensive explosion could've happened in 1980 if teams just schemed primarily around the 3-point line.

They've solved NBA offense. Space, pace. It's not complicated.

[warriorfan]

You realize there hasn't been a significant rule change in over 20 years right?

This exact offensive explosion could've happened in 1980 if teams just schemed primarily around the 3-point line.

They've solved NBA offense. Space, pace. It's not complicated.

“Freedom of movement” was pretty recent.

And even if they didn’t write anything down in the rule books, the game has gone through shifts in how it has been officiated in the past 20 years for sure.

It’s a combo of more players being able to shoot and nba figuring out pace and space, and also how the game has been called.

[warriorfan]

Point forwards and point center in Jokic’s example have become more popular. Bigger players are handling the ball more and more which naturally will boost their assists big time and the rebounds come easier to them naturally as well.

For the slightly smaller guys, I think with how the floor is spaced and more long rebounds off the many 3 point attempts allows them to get more rebounds as well.

[FKAri]

You realize there hasn't been a significant rule change in over 20 years right?

This exact offensive explosion could've happened in 1980 if teams just schemed primarily around the 3-point line.

They've solved NBA offense. Space, pace. It's not complicated.

It's a combination of officiating changes, rule changes, tactics, and improved ball skills. Each feed into each other to turn the game into what it is today. The rule changes that helped are zone and defensive 3 which encourage shooting and slashing in favor of post ups.

[L.Kizzle]

It's a combination of officiating changes, rule changes, tactics, and improved ball skills. Each feed into each other to turn the game into what it is today. The rule changes that helped are zone and defensive 3 which encourage shooting and slashing in favor of post ups.
A significant rule change that never gets mentioned is the the palming/carrying violations that basically do not get called. Every time I see someone dribbling, it's basically a no-call violation.

[04mzwach]

It's easier to get triple doubles because the NBA today actually understands the team concept of basketball. They're all filthy rich so sharing the ball really isn't a problem. Socially everyone buys in versus in the past where everyone was trying to be the man with a chip on their shoulder. Everyone is more socially aware and more socially developed than they were 20 years ago. College players developing faster because the money incentives so they're ready for the NBA almost immediately after getting drafted. If everyone on your team has more closely refined skills it naturally gives every player a clearer view on the expectation of what the real game will be like. Every play develops faster so naturally the physically gifted athlete can only do so much to react unlike in the past it was a bit slower showing that there's a limit on physical gifts and well executed plays always beat physical gifts. A high IQ, split-second decision beats your athleticism 9 times out of 10. Not saying that todays players are smarter at the highest level necessarily, but overall the players IQ has gone up and skill has gone up.

[Meticode]

You realize there hasn't been a significant rule change in over 20 years right?

This exact offensive explosion could've happened in 1980 if teams just schemed primarily around the 3-point line.

They've solved NBA offense. Space, pace. It's not complicated.
I think it's a combo of many things. Including the changes. A big one people don't think about is the Kawhi Leonard rule. Where you cannot cut under a shooter's feed anymore because it was twisting shooters ankles. Shooters are protected more than ever right now.

[FKAri]

A significant rule change that never gets mentioned is the the palming/carrying violations that basically do not get called. Every time I see someone dribbling, it's basically a no-call violation.

When they decided to codify the rules to be more rigorous they quickly realized half the shit they were calling was off feel instead of anything objective. Lots of "modern" dribble moves are old-school legal when done correctly. Some of them are only legal with the 0 step/gather rules added on. What happens now is refs give you the benefit of the doubt because it is hard to tell in real time. Players got accustomed to this officiating approach so they became sloppier and sloppier. Carrying is something that needs to be reigned in for sure. Palming is impossible to get right unless it's egregious.