Not to mention, shooting was not nearly the art form as it is today and play calling was more basic and limited. Scouting was also harder to do for each team so there were many missed shots, but still a fast paced game. Also, trip-dubs are an overrated stat for the most part. What's the difference between an NFL RB getting 2000 yards or 1900 yards in a season. Or in baseball getting 61 HRs compared to 58? It's the media that brings the historic numbers up. A triple double for a season has been close by many players like Magic, Bird, Lebron so forth (which is just as awesome of a feat than getting that extra rebound or assist per game). And to do it while your team is winning games at an elite level is masterful.
fwiw: Oscar did not win MVP in 1962 -- his triple double year...because he only won 43 games. He won two years later when he won 55 games. As SamFisher pointed out, +10 rebounds was pretty common. What wasn't common is 10+ assists by one player. It was a different game of passing and bad FG%. Guess how many players achieved 10+ assists in the first 23 years of the NBA....until 1970. Two ... Guy Rodgers was the only other. You ever hear of him?
Interesting stat. Harden has had at least 7 assists in every game this year except for one (he had 6). Westbrook has had 12 games where he had 6 assist or fewer in a game.
10+ assists is the only new information I've received during this conversation. Good stuff. The entire 60's decade featured zero PGs not named Oscar who averaged 10+ rebounds. Only one other G achieved it, Tom Gola. There's nothing wrong in saying Oscar was a very good rebounder and a great player. Not sure why Sammy jumped-in to begin with. Yes, I heard of Guy Rogers.
