In a league where records are made to be broken, one player is rewriting history. Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets' star, is on a path to greatness, leaving a trail of broken records in his wake. But this time, he's not just breaking records; he's tying them, and the basketball world is buzzing.
Jokić has just tied the legendary Oscar Robertson for second place in the NBA's all-time triple-double list. With 181 career regular-season triple-doubles, Jokić is now a mere 26 triple-doubles away from the top spot, currently held by Russell Westbrook. And this is where it gets intriguing...
Westbrook, a triple-double machine, has already added four to his tally this season, making Jokić's pursuit all the more challenging. But the Serbian center is no stranger to adversity. He achieved this milestone in his 11th NBA season, a testament to his longevity and consistency. And here's the part most fans might miss: Jokić is doing this in an era where triple-doubles are becoming more frequent, making his achievement even more remarkable.
Oscar Robertson, known as the 'Big O', set the bar high. He was the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season back in 1961-62, a feat unmatched for 55 years until Westbrook achieved it in 2016-17. Robertson's all-around game was so dominant that he won the MVP award in 1963-64 and an NBA championship in 1970-71 with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP himself, is on a similar trajectory. Despite a recent knee injury, he's on pace for another historic season, potentially joining Westbrook as the only players to average a triple-double for multiple seasons. And with his shooting prowess, he could achieve a unique 60-40 club membership, shooting at least 60% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc for a full season.
As Jokić ties one legend and chases another, he's not just making history; he's creating a new tier of greatness. Will he surpass Westbrook? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the NBA record books will never be the same again.
Controversial Take: Is Jokić's achievement more impressive given the modern NBA's emphasis on statistical feats, or does it pale in comparison to Robertson's dominance in a less statistically-driven era? Share your thoughts below!
