Double-double is one of the basketball terms that reflects the qualities of a player. Sometimes players are judged by the number of double-doubles per season, because the more a player has made, the more versatile he is.
The concept of "double-double"
Double-double is a basketball term that means that a player scored at least ten points in one match in two indicators, that is, a two-digit number. Indicators can be earned points, interceptions, block shots, that is, blocking the opponent's throw, effective rebounds and assists. For example, 15 block shots and 11 points make up a double-double.
Double-double is a very common phenomenon that can always be heard on radio and TV from commentators and at the end of the match. In the history of NBA basketball, the leaders in the number of double-doubles are Utah Jazz players John Stockton and Karl Malone. The first made 709 points-assists in the 1985/86 season, and the second - 811 combinations of points-rebounds.
However, this is not all. There is the concept of "Triple-double" and "Quadruple-double", which are less common, but also taken into account.
Triple-double
Triple-double means that the player has already scored a double-digit number of points in three indicators. The term was first used in the NBA for Magic Johnson, the record holder in the playoffs.
Triple-double is an indicator of the versatile qualities of a player. The most difficult thing is to make a double-digit number of points in interceptions, the absolute record of which is only 11 points. And after that, only 19 cases were recorded after 1973. Also, block shots are rare in the NBA - 130 cases in 36 years.
The most difficult triple-double was made by Alvin Robertson in 1986 in a rebound-pass-interception scheme.
Quadruple-double
A basketball player scores a double-digit number of points in 4 indicators and makes a quadruple-double. This phenomenon is very rare and serves as an indicator of the incredible talents of the player.
Quadruple-double became possible only after 1973, when interceptions and block shots were taken into account. Since then, only 4 quadruple doubles have been recorded. They were made by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakim Olajuvon, David Robinson.
In addition, eight more cases are known when 1 point of the indicator was not enough before the coveted quadruple-double.
It is very difficult to make a quadruple double in non-NBA tournaments, because the NBA lasts 48 minutes, while other tournaments only take 40 minutes. However, similar cases are known both among our players and players from other countries in youth leagues.
There is no next step after the quadruple double yet, but perhaps in the future one of the outstanding players will make four indicators double-digit and the term will appear.
