NBA 2010-11: Blake Griffin and 11 Stars That Averaged a Double-Double
Blake Griffin took the NBA by storm in his inaugural season and to no one’s surprise, went home with the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.
And in winning the award, Griffin put forth mammoth stats to go along with his jaw dropping dunks. He will, no doubt, have NBA fans in an absolute frenzy for years to come.
It’s refreshing to see young guns like this display a combination of superior talent and a high work ethic—something that has already vaulted Blake into superstar status.
Whether the young Griff is flying over cars or just other players, you can bet he’ll always be there to help his team win.
And last season, while doing just that, he was amongst the leaders in double-doubles.
A double-double is an individual player’s production over a single game that includes at least 10 of any two of the following major statistics: points, assists, rebounds and more rarely, blocks or steals.
So where does Blake rank on this list of players that averaged a double-double over the 2010-11 season?
NBA 2010-11 Honorable Mentions
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The honorable mentions consist of players with at least 30 double-double games and who did not average a double-double for the season.
Some of these players missed the double-double average by the skin of their teeth and include the likes of Chris Paul, a perennial double-double average machine.
It's also unfamiliar to see LeBron James make the honorable mentions section of any list, but he does here.
Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz
David Lee, Golden State Warriors
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls
No. 12: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
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Noah had 21 double-doubles over only 48 games. In 32.8 MPG, Noah averaged 11.7 PPG and 10.4 RPG.
The 7-foot center missed almost half the season because of injury but was back to help the Bulls go deep into the playoffs.
Noah is a major cog on the Bulls and brings a much needed defensive energy to the team as one of the league’s top rebounders, but his numbers were down significantly this year.
His inability to hit the broad side of a barn, together with Carlos Boozer’s disappearing acts, and Derrick Rose’s horrible shooting proved fatal for the Bulls against the Miami Heat in the third round of the Eastern Conference.
No. 10: Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
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Bogut had 24 double-doubles over 65 games. In 35.3 MPG, he averaged 12.8 PPG and 11.1 RPG.
He is an extremely underrated defensive player hidden by the unspectacular bright lights of Milwaukee.
Unfortunately for Bogut, the Bucks have enough talent to make the playoffs but are perennial underachievers.
The return of Michael Redd would improve Bogut’s situation, if the Bucks chose to re-sign the previously injured star.
The former No. 1 pick in 2005 should be a mainstay, and the buck stops with him.
No. 9: Kris Humphries, New Jersey Nets
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Humphries had 29 double-doubles over 74 games. In 27.8 MPG, he averaged 10 PPG and 10.4 RPG.
Perhaps known more for having a superhot girlfriend with zero acting ability than he is for basketball, Humphries definitely brings the talent to that relationship.
Kris’ contributions are above average, and he makes an excellent role player, which is the very reason Kim likes him.
No. 8: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
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Rondo is one of three point guards on this list, all of them elite distributors eager to lend a helping hand.
He had 31 double-doubles over 68 games. In 37.2 MPG, Rondo averaged 10.6 PPG and 11.2 APG.
Rondo is a superstar and the Celtics best player now that the Big Three are in decline. Perhaps his only major flaw is his inability to shoot the ball well.
No one really knows what to expect from the Celtics next year, but one thing is certain, Rondo will continue to be one of only a handful of pure point guards in the league, that also include Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Deron Williams and Jose Calderone.
If the Celtics are serious about making it back to the Finals, Rondo will be the major piece to build around.
No. 7: Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets
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Williams became a coach killer this season as he sent legendary Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan, packing. It was a move that ultimately led to his displacement on the east coast, where more and more stars seem to be surfacing.
He had 34 double-doubles over 65 games. In 37.9 MPG, Williams averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.3 APG.
Williams is the only player (other than Chris Paul) to average at least 20 PPG and at least 10 APG since Tim Hardaway did it in the early 1990s.
That rare feat puts him in exclusive company that should have had Williams as a major MVP candidate.
No. 6: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
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Surprise, surprise!
This old man just won’t go away and is still a genuine superstar in this league.
He had 41 double-doubles over 75 games. In 33.3 MPG, Nash averaged 14.7 PPG and 11.4 APG.
In the twilight of his career, Nash has a couple of good years left in him—years that could see him play a major role on a strong title contender’s bid to win a championship.
Such teams include the Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
No. 5: Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
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Gasol had 43 double-doubles over 82 games. In 37 MPG, he averaged 18.8 PPG and 10.2 RPG.
The 7-foot power forward, who played a major role in helping the Lakers win the last two out of three NBA championships, is unfairly being called soft in Tinsel Town.
He has taken the brunt of the blame for his team getting swept by the Mavs, and nobody is coming to his defense.
Fans should consider that perhaps this superstar was burnt out after filling in admirably for injured Andrew Bynum—while playing workhorse minutes.
Another reason for the Lakers collapse was major chemistry issues that the whole team is responsible for.
No. 4: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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Randolph had 53 double-doubles over only 75 games. In 36.3 MPG, he averaged 20.1 PPG and 12.2 RPG.
Randolph helped the Grizzlies handle the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs and scare the Thunder in the second.
Kevin Durant called him the best power forward in the game, and he certainly is one of the best, despite being severely underrated.
If Randolph stays with the Grizzlies, he will play a major role in helping them achieve a breakthrough season next year with a deep playoff run.
No. 3: Blake Griffin, L.A.Clippers
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Griffin had an incredible 63 double-doubles over only 82 games in his rookie season. In 37.9 MPG, he averaged 22.5 PPG and 12.1 RPG to go along with his gazillion dunks.
He is undoubtedly the most exciting player in L.A. and the NBA and could prove to be as dominant as players like Howard and James.
And he's an absolute force on both ends of the court.
With the Griff, the Clippers will significantly improve on last year’s dismal record.
It’s also possible that with a few smart trades and drafts, the Clippers could actually win a championship three to four years down the road—they certainly have the ultimate center piece.
No. 2: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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What can be said about Kevin Love? He had a sensational year that put him on the same level as Moses Malone and in so doing, has proved that he is a genuine superstar.
Love had 64 double-doubles over only 75 games. In 35.8 MPG, he averaged 20.2 PPG and 15.2 RPG.
There are some silly rumors about Love going to L.A. for Pau Gasol, and as good as Gasol is, Love is much younger and has his whole career ahead of him.
The record books are waiting for this stellar talent.
No. 1: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
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Howard had 66 double-doubles over only 78 games. In 37.5 MPG, he averaged 22.9 PPG and 14.1 RPG.
Superman improved considerably this year with the offseason help from Hakeem the Dream and finished second in MVP voting.
While always a defensive force, this was a breakout offensive year for Howard.
He recently said that he wants to stay in Orlando but will become a free agent in 2012.
That’s a major hint that if the Magic don’t improve dramatically over the next year, Howard will be gone.
Unfortunately, the team is strapped with major salary commitments that include deadwood players like Gilbert Arenas.
As a result, Howard is as good as gone.
