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While not the defining statistic in any basketball match, landing a triple-double is not for the faint hearted and some of the all-time NBA icons have racked up some incredible triple-double numbers.
Registering double-digit numbers in points, steals, assists, rebounds or blocks often has a meaningful impact on the way in which a result goes and those with big triple-double numbers often end up as the game’s MVP.
The way in which basketball is scored is often ideal for sports betting fans, as they look to find niches and margins to work with, within the high numerical numbers.
All of the best NBA betting sites offer enticing markets on players triple-doubles and the players with the most triple-doubles in NBA history tend to deliver for punters.
Some iconic NBA stars have recorded incredible numbers when it comes to triple-doubles and here is a rundown of those who have landed the most:
Russell Westbrook
The concept of the triple-double has changed markedly over the past few years, with its regularity increasing and that is in no small part thanks to Russell Westbrook.
Since making his debut for Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, Westbrook has landed over 200 triple-doubles, making it very much his trademark, with his all-action style.
A prolific scorer, Westbrook’s ability to find a pass, as well as contribute defensively as enabled him to land consistently good numbers for the best part of the past two decades.
In a stellar career that saw him spend 11 years with the Thunder, he has moved on to the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings, making a significant impact at each franchise.
A 9x NBA All-Star, as well as the competitions MVP in 2017, Westbrook continues to deliver match-winning performances for the Kings and his place in NBA history is etched.
Nikola Jokic
Another player on the list that has normalised the triple-double is imposing Serb, Nikola Jokic, who continues to blaze a trail at the very sharp end of the NBA.
Jokic averages a triple-double once in every four games he plays in and his presence at both ends of the court, makes him an often immovable force.
Having been relatively overlooked in the draft of 2014, Jokic joined the Denver Nuggets, in what would transpire to be an inspired move for both the player and the franchise.
Quickly, he became a key man, averaging double digits in terms of points scored in every game played, as well as making a huge contribution defensively.
At well over 2m tall, Jokic has a habit of making the game look easy and he looks to be in the hunt to track down Westbrook’s impressive record in the years to come.
Oscar Robertson
Prior to the aforementioned two modern-day greats, Oscar Robertson had always set the benchmark for triple-doubles in his NBA heyday.
The ‘big O’ was drafted from relative obscurity by Cincinnati Royals in 1960 and the impact he had both on the NBA and the Royals franchise, was unheralded.
A point guard who loved racking up big numbers with the ball in hand, what made Robertson different to his peers was his willingness to defend and put his body on the line for his team.
As a 12x NBA All-Star, Robertson was the standout player in the league for almost a decade, notching 181 triple-doubles, before moving to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970.
His maiden NBA championship title followed in 1971, and Robertson has forever forged his name into NBA folklore.
Magic Johnson
A man that needs no introduction on a countdown of NBA legends, Magic Johnson was arguably the face of the sport for large periods in the 1980’s and his numbers within the game stand up favourably compared to many of his peers.
Having been the much sought after first round pick of 1979, Johnson had a transformative impact on the LA Lakers, winning the NBA Championship no fewer than five times in the 1980’s.
Johnson’s ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate opposition played a huge part in the Lakers’ success and he was a 12x NBA All-Star as a result.
With 138 triple-doubles in his career, Johnson’s all action game and ability to be in the right place, at meaningful times, made him standout in a generation of NBA stars and he continues to be a global advocate for the game today.
LeBron James
The all-time NBA appearance maker LeBron James has been the face of basketball for a huge period of the 2000’s and he continues to make game-changing contributions beyond the age of 40.
James was long touted as the next star of the global game but very few people could have foreseen his exponential rise from the college game to NBA superstar.
A first-round pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James completely revolutionised international perceptions of the franchise, before moving on to the Miami Heat, where he landed his first two NBA titles.
Returning to the Cavs in 2014 and winning the NBA title with them in 2016, will always go down as his most remarkable achievement, before he went on to secure his legacy with the LA Lakers from 2018 onwards.
Primarily a big point scorer, James has always been able to demonstrate more strings to his bow and his 120+ triple-double count will surely rise before his career his out.
Jason Kidd
The final player on the list to achieved over a century of triple-doubles is Jason Kidd, who is regarded as one of the most versatile point guards in NBA history.
Now often referred to for his standout coaching credentials with the Dallas Mavericks, Kidd was an incredible player in his day, starting at the Mavericks in 1994.
Consistent performances for big franchises followed over the majority of the 1990’s and 2000’s, as Kidd moved on to the Phoenix Suns, the New Jersey Nets and latterly in his career, the New York Knicks.
In 2011, he reached his career pinnacle, as a key part of the Mavericks side that lifted the NBA Championship and with 10x NBA All-Star appearances, Kidd’s consistency in terms of scoring was his greatest asset – with 107 triple-doubles to his name.
