So, I've read that this year is suppose to be the year Lebron James may average a triple-double for the season.
- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/505623-miami-heat-can-lebron-james-really-average-a-triple-double-per-game
- http://nbaprimetime.com/lebron-james-set-to-average-first-triple-double-of-this-generation/3048/
- http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/14/lebron-james-could-very-well-average-a-trip-doub-next-season/
These articles all look at past stats and current trends in their analysis. But looking at these can only tell so much. Now that the season has begun, we have a better picture of what to expect.
To be on pace for a trible-double average, James needs to accumulate at least a total of 10 pts, 10 reb, and 10 ast per game.
Over 4 games, James is at 62 pts, 16 reb and 17 ast.
Quick math shows that he's behind by 24 reb and 23 ast. That's off by a huge margin. Label me a pessimist but there's no way Lebron averages a triple-double in a season.
Also, when I think of a triple-double, Lebron isn't even the first player to come to mind. Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul are the guys that I think of who are likely to get a triple-double on a nightly basis. A look at their stats shows that they're actually closer to a triple-double average than Lebron James.
Lebron James
Over 4 games, he's at 20.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 5.7 apg
Rajon Rondo
Over 3 games, he's at 10.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 16.7 apg
Chris Paul
Over 3 games he's at 17.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 11.5 apg
So if Lebron James, can't duplicate Oscar Robertson's triple-double average, then perhaps he can challenge the Big'O's other record, the top spot in total triple-doubles?
Nope. He won't even crack the top 3.
Lebron currently has 34 triple-doubles over 7 seasons. That's about 4.86 per season.
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I'll assume he plays 20 full seasons while keeping up his current pace of collecting triple-doubles (this is highly unlikely which just strengthens my point). This will give him about 97 triple-doubles over 20 seasons, moving him past Wilt Chamberlain for 4th place.
3rd place is occupied by Jason Kidd with 105 over 16 seasons. To match him, James will need to increase his current triple-double production by about 12%.
2nd place is occupied by Magic Johnson with 138 over 13 seasons. To match him, James will need to increase his current triple-double production by about 65%.
1st place is occupied by none other than Oscar Robertson with 181 over 14 seasons. To match him, James will need to increase his current triple-double production by about 133%.
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