What Is A Double Double In The NBA?
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A double double is a statistical term used in the NBA to describe a player who accumulates a double-digit number total in two different statistical categories in a game.
What is a double double in the NBA?
In basketball, a double double is when a player accumulates a double-digit total in two of five statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots—in a game. The term was coined by former NBA player Rodman Wiley in the 1980s.
A player who registers a double double is said to have “posted” or “notched” the double double. A player with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in a game is referred to as a “points-rebounds double double”, while one with at least 10 points and 10 assists is called a “points-assists double double”. In rare instances, a player will accumulate 10 or more in three out of the five categories in a single game; this is referred to as a “triple double”.
The most common form of the double double is the points-rebounds variety. Points-rebounds Double Doubles are recorded almost three times as often as the other forms. The next most common is the points-assists variety; it occurs about 1.5 times for every 100 games played. Of all games played from 1997 to 2007 in which one player had a chance to record any type of Double Double, 12% resulted in such an achievement.
How to get a double double in the NBA?
In order to get a double double in the NBA, a player must accumulate at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, or 10 assists and 10 points, or 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a single game.
What are the benefits of a double double in the NBA?
A double double is when a player accumulates a total of 10 or more in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The term was coined by then Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich to describe the talents of his young All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon. players achieve this statistical feat.
The double double is one basketball’s most prestigious individual accomplishments. It recognizes a player who truly excels at both ends of the court in multiple areas. Achieving a double double generally signifies that a player is one of the best at their position and among the best overall players in the league.
Players who record regular double doubles are typically all-around players who stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis. While some specialists such as three-point shooters or shot-blockers may lead the league in one specific category, it is very rare for them to also be elite in another category as well. Achieving a double double requires a high level of all-around skill and versatility.
Below is a list of some of the benefits that come with recording a double double in the NBA:
1) Being versatile: As previously mentioned, achieving a double double requires players to be versatile and skilled in multiple areas. This versatility makes them more valuable to their team as they can contribute in many different ways.
2) Getting recognized: Players who regularly recorddouble doubles are often rewarded with individual accolades such as being named to an All-Star team or winning league MVP honors. These recognitions can lead to increased sponsorships and endorsement deals off the court as well.
3) Setting records: Several NBA greats have used thedouble double as a way to leave their mark on the league. Players like Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James have all used the feat to help set records that may never be broken.
4) Helping their team win: In addition to individual benefits,double doubles also often lead to team success as well. Players who stuff the stat sheet typically play for teams that compete for championships year after year.
How to use a double double in the NBA?
A double double is two numbers that are equal in value. For example, if you have two 10s, that’s a double double. In the NBA, a player gets a double double when they rack up 10 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in a game.
Double doubles are relatively rare in the NBA. In the 2018-19 season, there were only 23 players who averaged a double double. That’s just 7% of all players in the league!
To get a sense of how difficult it is to average a double double, consider this: in the history of the NBA, only 56 players have ever done it. That’s less than 2% of all players who have ever stepped on an NBA court!
The player with the most careerdouble doubles is none other than Wilt Chamberlain. He racked up an incredible 118 triple doubles in his Hall of Fame career.