What is a Quadruple Double in Basketball?
A quadruple double is one of the most impressive individual performances in basketball. It is when a player accumulates double-digit totals in four statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, and either blocks or steals) during a single game. Quadruple doubles are rare, and often signify a dominant, all-around performance.
History of Quadruple Doubles
The first quadruple double in the NBA was achieved by Nate Thurmond in 1974. Thurmond was playing for the Chicago Bulls and had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Since then, only 13 other players have achieved the feat in the NBA, including Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Russell Westbrook.
Statistical Categories
In order to record a quadruple double, a player must accumulate double-digit totals in four of the following statistical categories:
- Points – The number of points a player scores in a game.
- Rebounds – The number of times a player retrieves the ball after a missed shot.
- Assists – The number of times a player passes the ball to a teammate, leading to a made basket.
- Blocks – The number of times a player successfully blocks a shot attempt by an opposing player.
- Steals – The number of times a player successfully intercepts a pass or takes the ball away from an opposing player.
Notable Quadruple Doubles
Some of the most impressive quadruple doubles in NBA history include:
- Hakeem Olajuwon – 34 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1990.
- Russell Westbrook – 43 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016.
- David Robinson – 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in a game against the Detroit Pistons in 1994.
- Lebron James – 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 11 steals in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats in 2009.
Quadruple Doubles in Other Leagues
Quadruple doubles are not exclusive to the NBA. The feat has been achieved in other professional leagues, including the WNBA and Euroleague. In the WNBA, Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, and Candace Parker are the only players to have recorded a quadruple double. In the Euroleague, only one player (Nikos Galis) has achieved a quadruple double in a single game.
Quadruple Doubles vs. Quintuple Doubles
The quintuple double is often confused with the quadruple double, but there is one major difference between the two: The quintuple double requires the player to accumulate double-digit totals in five statistical categories in a single game. While the quadruple double is impressive, the quintuple double is even more so. Unfortunately, there has only been one quintuple double in NBA history (Nate Thurmond in 1974).
Criticism of Quadruple Doubles
Not everyone believes that the quadruple double is an impressive feat. Some believe that it is overrated and that the player who achieves it is often the beneficiary of favorable circumstances. For example, if a player racks up a lot of assists but his teammates miss a lot of shots, his impressive assist total may be misleading.
Quadruple Doubles in Video Games
Quadruple doubles have been featured in several basketball video games, including NBA 2K and NBA Live. In these games, it is possible for a player to achieve a quadruple double in a single game. This is often done by turning up the difficulty level and utilizing a specific strategy to accumulate double-digit totals in four statistical categories.
Conclusion
A quadruple double is one of the most impressive individual performances in basketball. It requires a player to accumulate double-digit totals in four statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, and either blocks or steals) during a single game. While the feat is impressive, it is often criticized as being overrated and the beneficiary of favorable circumstances. Quadruple doubles have also been featured in several basketball video games, allowing gamers to experience the thrill of achieving one themselves.