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In the 2016-2017 NBA season, Russell Westbrook became just the second ever player to average a triple-double across the regular NBA season. The only other was Oscar Robertson, who averaged his way back in the 1961-1962 season. Westbrook was awarded the MVP award for his historic season, and many NBA analysts questioned how long would it take for a player to do it again.
Last season, Westbrook once again averaged a triple-double, becoming the first player to record a triple-double in back to back seasons. His performances were on this occasion largely overlooked due to the fact he had earned all the accolades the year prior, and a number of other NBA stars were close to posting triple-doubles of their own.
The pace of basketball has exploded over the last five years, as team's are now shooting more three-pointers than ever. Teams are getting more possessions each game and this is technically making it easier for players to post huge stats in the rebound, assist and point categories. So here are five players who could realistically match Westbrook this season and post a triple-double over the regular season.
#5 Nikola Jokic
The landscape of the NBA has changed so much over the last decade that we now face the very real possibility that a Center could post a triple-double for the season. At one point last season, the 6 feet 10 inch forward had incredibly posted more triple-doubles than he had completed dunks.
Jokic has already posted the fastest ever triple-double, in addition to recording the second-ever perfect triple-double. If the Serbian is able to increase his assist total, he will surely average a season triple-double over the coming year.
#4 James Harden
When James Harden records a triple-double, it is often spectacular. In early 2018, Harden posted the first ever 60 point triple-double, which was the 29-year-old's highlight of his MVP season.
The Houston Rockets guard recorded just four triple-doubles throughout the whole 2017-18 season. However, Harden has shown in the past that he can regularly post triple doubles and he has 35 for his career.
Harden will however, need to drastically improve upon his last season's 5.5 rebounds per game if he wants to match his old teammate Russell Westbrook in averaging a triple-double for the season.
#3 Ben Simmons
Last season Ben Simmons passed Magic Johnson as the rookie to post the most triple-doubles in their debut season. Simmons finished the season with an incredible 12 triple-doubles, and he was just shy of averaging a triple-double for his debut season.
The 22-year-old comfortably records at least 10 points and 10 rebounds each game. so if the Australian is able to increase his assist total from last years 7.7 per game, then Simmons may become just the third ever player to average a triple-double for an entire season.
#2 LeBron James
Many NBA experts have stated that LeBron could average a triple-double for the season if he really chased it. The 2017-18 NBA season was the closest LeBron has ever been to averaging a triple-double as the King averaged 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game. In his final year in Cleveland, LeBron also posted a career-high 18 triple-doubles, and he currently has 74 for his career.
The NBA's best player will have to elevate his game in order for the Lakers to make the play-offs, and the ferocious pace that his side is currently playing at means that the number of possessions per game will be high. LeBron should have no trouble posting at least 10 assists and rebounds per game, however the challenge will be averaging 10 rebounds, something he has never done.
#1 Russell Westbrook
Yes, Russell Westbrook is the player most likely to once again post a triple-double this season. The 30-year-old has managed to overcome his pre-season knee surgery, and after a slow start, Westbrook now looks to be at his explosive best.
The whole team is built around the California native, and Steven Adams often boxes out the opposition so that Westbrook can pull down rebounds. His triple-double hopes will mostly rely on his teammates' ability to hit their open shots from Westbrook's passes, and if they manage to do this, an unprecedented third consecutive triple-double season looks inevitable.
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