In the NBA 10 years ago, the record of averaging a triple-double per game in a season was rarely mentioned, because everyone thought that no one could replicate Oscar Robertson's feat. But what I didn't expect was that Wei Shao at his peak was so energetic, especially when Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors, he was completely stimulated. 42 triple-doubles in a single season, Wei Shao hit 316 points 107 rebounds and 104 assists, after more than 40 years, he has become another player to achieve an average triple-double per game after Big O. It was with such an explosion that Wei Shao also won the MVP of the season.
After that, Wei Shao seemed to have opened the door to a new world, and in his second season he averaged a triple-double per game, and in his third season, he averaged a triple-double in four of his five seasons, including one season with the Wizards. This also proves that Wei Shao's average triple-double per game is not accidental, no matter what kind of system he is in or what kind of teammates he is around, Wei Shao always has a way to do it.
The outbreak of Wei Shao has also driven the league's overall triple-double data, and more and more all-round stars have appeared, the strongest of which is undoubtedly Jokic. In 2021 and 2022, Jokic won the MVP of the regular season, and he is the only one in the league in terms of basic and high-level data, so even if the record is worse, no one can compete with him. And last season, Jokic also had a chance to complete the feat of 3 consecutive MVPs, and for a while, he maintained an average of 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists per game.
But in the second half of the season, the Nuggets had no desire in the record because they had locked the first place in the West, Jokic took turns to rest for many games, and when he played, he played less time, and the data was pulled down, and the final assist was fixed at an average of 9 per game8 times, just one step away from averaging a triple-double per game. The reason why I voluntarily gave up is also because it is related to the team's playoff record in previous years, and winning another MVP will put Jokic under huge doubts and pressure. But that's no longer the case, as last year's playoff dominance that elevated Jokic to an all-time superstar, and he doesn't have to rein in himself now.
So far, Jokic has been entrenched in the top two of the official MVP list, and his opponents are only a few people. With 20 games remaining, what kind of stats does Jokic get to ensure a triple-double per game?
So far, Jokic has played in 60 games, averaging 25 per game9 points 123 rebounds 92 assists, while the Nuggets have played 62 games, in other words, there are only 20 regular season games left, and Jokic's total statistics are 1556 points, 738 rebounds and 549 assists. Assuming Jokic plays all 20 of his remaining 20 games, his total number of appearances for the season will reach 80. In terms of scoring, it is already guaranteed to be a double-double, and it needs to score another 62 rebounds, an average of 3 per game1 is enough, and there is no suspense. Again, the key is assists, and Jokic has to take another 251 to get it, an average of 12 per game5 times, the difficulty is very high.
If Jokic deliberately focuses on assist stats and increases his ball possession, it can still be done. It's a pity that this is not his style, there have been many games in the past where 1 assist or 1 rebound can be a triple-double, and he doesn't pursue it, so the probability of the next games is just fate. But even then, Jokic could still get the MVP, unless there is a player who is better than him in terms of record and stats.