This last Friday I had the luxury of watching two NBA games in which a player had a triple double in each game. One a veteran small-forward (got his 8th trip-dub) and the other a rookie PG getting his first trip-dub. The term “triple-double” is thrown around a lot, but the thing is only the best NBA players that have played the game in it’s history have recorded one or more triple-doubles. So it’s a great sign to see, especially from a rookie!
ANDRE IGUODALA-
-10 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds (1 steal, 1 three) in 35 minute destruction of Detroit.
Iggy just flies under the radar all the time. I’ve always loved his game and his Shrek-faced Just look at Durant and Rose from the past few seasons, often having rough patches then going crazy (Durant) or going from Scottie Pippen 2.0 when he was the only talent on Philly to currently a 14ppg, 6apg, 6rpg, all around defender and leader of his team (Iggy pop). Iggy is constantly flirting with triple doubles, as this was the 9th of his career. Of course Kemba is a young rookie that put up a 21 point, 10 and 11 game, showing he is a beast scorer as well as a great PG with 11 assists and an athletic rebounder at 10 boards in just 35 minutes of play. He’s like a Clyde Drexler / Dominique Wilkins / Scottie Pippen fusion. A true swing-man as well, starting at SF but logging solid and efficient minutes at the 2 guard spot.
While Iguodala is obviously not quite on Lebron James level (and never will be), I’d say he’s easily the best player to compare Lebron James too. Aside from the obvious difference in offensive scoring as Lebron is 2x the scorer Iggy is, everything else is eerily similar. Both are strong, long, athletic point-forwards averaging over 6 assists and 6 rebounds a game, as well as grabbing about 2 steals a game. Both are great defenders as well, and Iggy is underrated by many in this aspect. He’s also shown he’s rather clutch, and he’s hit many game winning shots, I can remember that 3pointer against the Lakers a few years back.
Simply put: Iggy is an All-Star caliber player that doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. This just shows it.
KEMBA WALKER-
-21 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds (2 blocks, 2 threes, 1 steal) in 43 minute loss to the WIZARDS.
Rookie Walker grabbing a triple double… I love it! But there’s just something that bothers me about it….. here’s the problem:
Charlotte’s BEST PLAYER Kemba Walker put up a career game tonight against the worst team in the NBA, the Wizards. Losing to the Wizards is like losing to the Generals the Globetrotters always destroy. But in reality the Bobcats are tied with the Wizards for “D-League Affiliate” teams in the NBA, as Washington now has 4 wins to the Bobcats 3. It’s almost impossible to change the season unless they can win 7+ games out of the next 10 immediately. It was a competitive game where with Kemba going at John Wall all night, and while Kemba put up better looking numbers Wall still had 13 points along with 10 assists and solid all around play. The simple problem lies in the fact they were playing a Bobcats starting lineup with Kemba/Carroll/Diaw or T.Thomas on the perimeter, something most teams score 120 points against.
Final Thought: Amazing game from Kemba who will become a great player as his FG% improves with his shot selection, along with Brandon Knight in the same exact category. A 21, 10 & 11 triple double in your 21st NBA game is nothing but a great sign. The fact he was only a +/- (+3) for the game while leading his team as PG to a loss against the Wizards who were 0-8 on the road until their win in Charlotte last night. Triple doubles obviously show greatness, but then again so does that simple “W”….
-Other Notable Performances tonight: Kobe Bryant (27 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast); Tyreke Evans (36 pts, 9 ast, 6 reb)