The NBA's Four Quadruple-Doublers
Written May 11th, 2006
One of the most difficult feats to accomplish in professional basketball is the quadruple-double, or the compilation of double digits in four box score categories. In fact, it is so difficult that only four basketball players since the days of peach baskets have been able to conquer it. These players are Nathan “Nate” Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson.
Conquerer of the Quadruple Double
Naismith Hall of fame Center/Forward Nate Thurmond was the first professional basketball player in the history of the game to accomplish a quadruple-double.
According to the NBA Encyclopedia, Thurmond, a 6-11, 235 lb Akron Ohio native who was drafted third overall by the San Francisco Warriors in 1963, “provided the best mix of offense and defense in basketball history… With quickness and long hands, a smooth outside shooting touch, tenacious defense, classic shot blocking ability, and a total team attitude, Thurmond offered a perfectly balanced package.”
During his 10-year stint with the San Francisco turned Golden State Warriors, Thurmond averaged over 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game and helped propel them to the NBA Finals.
However the Warriors – a franchise known for historically ignorant roster moves – did not embrace the same opinion as basketball historians at the time. The same organization that shipped Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers in 64-65 only to have the move come back to haunt them during the 66-67 NBA Finals, dealt Thurmond to the Chicago Bulls in 1974.
Thurmond was obviously ticked off about the move because during his debut with the Bulls on September 18th, 1974 he torched the Atlanta Hawks for 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocked shots, thus making him the proud owner of professional basketball’s first quadruple-double.
While Thurmond never won an NBA Title, he is considered by the NBA to be one of its top 50 players in history. The seven time All Star is also considered one of the greatest centers to play the game. During his 14-year career, Thurmond averaged 15.0 points, 15.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 2.0 assists per game. The Cleveland Cavaliers, which was Thurmond’s third and final ballclub, retired his number 42 in 1988.
Today, Thurmond owns and operates a well-known restaurant in San Francisco called Big Nate’s Barbeque.
The Journeyman
Nearly 10 years after Nate Thurmond achieved the first quadruple-double, the San Antonio Spurs, with the 7th pick in the 1984 draft, selected 6-3 185 lb Olympic Gold winning point guard Alvin Robertson from the University of Arkansas.
Robertson, who was known throughout the league as a lightning quick, versatile and defensively sound but sometimes itchy-fingered guard did not take long to make his presence felt.
After getting his feet wet in his rookie season in 1985, Robertson earned his first All Star appearance as well as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1986 after posting averages of 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals.
But to basketball historians and ardent Phoenix Suns fans Robertson is best known for his quadruple-double performance on February 18th 1986. During that game Robertson registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals for the Spurs in a 120-114 victory over the Suns.
Robertson went on to play 8 more NBA seasons and made 3 more All Star appearances after his outstanding performance. During his 10-year career, he averaged 14 points, 5 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest and is recognized as being the first player to score for the Toronto Raptors, the first player Shaquille O’Neill took a swing at in the NBA, and last but not least, the man who served a one year prison sentence for taking a swing or two (or three) at his ex-girlfriend.
Living the Dream
Seven ft 255 lb Nigerian native Hakeem Olajuwon is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best Center ever to play the game of basketball.
After playing with Clyde Drexler at the University of Houston, Olajuwon was selected first in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets ahead of Michael Jordan (3rd), Charles Barkley (5th) and John Stockton (16th).
While Houston’s pick seemed somewhat questionable at the time, Olajuwon certainly did not disappoint.
During his rookie season, Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks per game; and in 1985 he finished second to Michael Jordan in the chase for Rookie of the Year honors.
In 1986, Olajuwon – with his 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 blocks per game averages – helped guide the Rockets to the NBA finals before losing to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in 6 games. Over the course of the next 8 years years following the loss to Boston, the Houston franchise slipped into a world of mediocrity, making it no further in the playoffs than the Western Conference Semis.
Meanwhile, Olajuwon, began to earn solid reputation of being a great clutch performer, great shot blocker, and a a fierce competitor.
And the NBA took notice.
Between 1986 and 1994 Olajuwon earned All NBA Team Honors 8 times, All NBA Defensive First Team Honors 5 times and 2 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, He also appeared in 7 NBA All Star games, and earned both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Sportsmanship Award.
While all of Olajuwon’s accomplishments during this stretch of mediocrity were undoubtedly extraordinary, nothing topped two of the most amazing performances of his career – performances that occurred just twenty-six days apart from one another.
On March 3rd 1990, Olajuwon seemingly became just the third NBA player in history to record a quadruple-double when he compiled 29 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks versus Chris Mullin and the Golden State Warriors. Shortly after the game ended however, league officials corrected a statistical error on their part and relinquished one of Olajuwon’s assists leaving him with 9 and nothing more than a monstrous triple-double.
Olajuwon, feeling denied perhaps, dramatically entered the NBA record books 26 days later on March 29th when he earned 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks against none other than Alvin Robertson and the Milwaukee Bucks. Olajuwon’s performance that night is still considered by many to be one of the greatest in NBA history.
Olajuwon and the Rockets eventually went on to win the NBA Title four years later by defeating Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks in Houston in a memorable seven game series.
Olajuwon was a catalyst in the game six victory at Madison Square Garden in New York, scoring 25 points, snatching 10 rebounds, and blocking John Starks game winning three point attempt with two seconds left to secure the seventh and deciding game in Houston. Olajuwon was bestowed NBA Finals MVP Honors.
The following season Olajuwon, with newly acquired Clyde Drexler at his side once again, helped Houston win a second consecutive NBA Championship. Olajuwon also earned his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award.
In 1996 Olajuwon played along side basketball legends Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neil, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and others as a member of the 1996 Summer Olympic Basketball Gold Medal winning Dream Team III. That same year, the NBA recognized Olajuwon as one of the top 50 players in NBA history.
Olajuwon went on to play seven more seasons in the NBA after winning the gold medal in Atlanta. During the course of his illustrious 18-year career Olajuwon, a 12 time All-Star and 12 time All NBA Team member, averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.09 blocks and 2.5 assists per game. His number 34 hangs in the rafters at the Toyota Center in Houston and will eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Admiral
Perhaps one of Hakeem Olajuwon’s fiercest NBA rivals was U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and Key West Florida native turned San Antonio Spur superstar David Robinson.
Robinson, who was the first player selected in the 1987 NBA Draft, gave his new and struggling Spurs team an instant shot in the arm upon arrival in 1989 after filling his two year military service commitment with the Navy. During Robinson’s rookie season, the Spurs went from worst to First in the Western Conference’s Midwest Division with a 56-26 record before falling in the second round to Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trailblazers in a hard fought seven game series.
Much like Olajuwon, Robinson suffered through several more successful regular but disappointing playoff seasons before finally winning the NBA Championship – ironically over the New York Knicks in 1999.
Robinson also compiled similar statistics, honors, and Olympic Gold Medals as Olajuwon; in addition to earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors and a scoring title. And much like Olajuwon, Robinson accomplished a quadruple-double, making him the fourth and most recent to do so.
Robinson accomplished his quadruple-double on February 17th 1994 by amassing 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks against Grant Hill and the Detroit Pistons.
Eight years and two NBA championship rings later, Robinson retired from the NBA with per game averages of 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.5 assists. His number 50 hangs from the rafters at the SBC Communications Center in San Antonio, Texas.
One of the most difficult feats to accomplish in professional basketball is the quadruple-double, or the compilation of double digits in four box score categories. In fact, it is so difficult that only four basketball players since the days of peach baskets have been able to conquer it. These players are Nathan “Nate” Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson.
Conquerer of the Quadruple Double
Naismith Hall of fame Center/Forward Nate Thurmond was the first professional basketball player in the history of the game to accomplish a quadruple-double.
According to the NBA Encyclopedia, Thurmond, a 6-11, 235 lb Akron Ohio native who was drafted third overall by the San Francisco Warriors in 1963, “provided the best mix of offense and defense in basketball history… With quickness and long hands, a smooth outside shooting touch, tenacious defense, classic shot blocking ability, and a total team attitude, Thurmond offered a perfectly balanced package.”
During his 10-year stint with the San Francisco turned Golden State Warriors, Thurmond averaged over 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game and helped propel them to the NBA Finals.
However the Warriors – a franchise known for historically ignorant roster moves – did not embrace the same opinion as basketball historians at the time. The same organization that shipped Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers in 64-65 only to have the move come back to haunt them during the 66-67 NBA Finals, dealt Thurmond to the Chicago Bulls in 1974.
Thurmond was obviously ticked off about the move because during his debut with the Bulls on September 18th, 1974 he torched the Atlanta Hawks for 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocked shots, thus making him the proud owner of professional basketball’s first quadruple-double.
While Thurmond never won an NBA Title, he is considered by the NBA to be one of its top 50 players in history. The seven time All Star is also considered one of the greatest centers to play the game. During his 14-year career, Thurmond averaged 15.0 points, 15.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 2.0 assists per game. The Cleveland Cavaliers, which was Thurmond’s third and final ballclub, retired his number 42 in 1988.
Today, Thurmond owns and operates a well-known restaurant in San Francisco called Big Nate’s Barbeque.
The Journeyman
Nearly 10 years after Nate Thurmond achieved the first quadruple-double, the San Antonio Spurs, with the 7th pick in the 1984 draft, selected 6-3 185 lb Olympic Gold winning point guard Alvin Robertson from the University of Arkansas.
Robertson, who was known throughout the league as a lightning quick, versatile and defensively sound but sometimes itchy-fingered guard did not take long to make his presence felt.
After getting his feet wet in his rookie season in 1985, Robertson earned his first All Star appearance as well as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1986 after posting averages of 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals.
But to basketball historians and ardent Phoenix Suns fans Robertson is best known for his quadruple-double performance on February 18th 1986. During that game Robertson registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals for the Spurs in a 120-114 victory over the Suns.
Robertson went on to play 8 more NBA seasons and made 3 more All Star appearances after his outstanding performance. During his 10-year career, he averaged 14 points, 5 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest and is recognized as being the first player to score for the Toronto Raptors, the first player Shaquille O’Neill took a swing at in the NBA, and last but not least, the man who served a one year prison sentence for taking a swing or two (or three) at his ex-girlfriend.
Living the Dream
Seven ft 255 lb Nigerian native Hakeem Olajuwon is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best Center ever to play the game of basketball.
After playing with Clyde Drexler at the University of Houston, Olajuwon was selected first in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets ahead of Michael Jordan (3rd), Charles Barkley (5th) and John Stockton (16th).
While Houston’s pick seemed somewhat questionable at the time, Olajuwon certainly did not disappoint.
During his rookie season, Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks per game; and in 1985 he finished second to Michael Jordan in the chase for Rookie of the Year honors.
In 1986, Olajuwon – with his 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 blocks per game averages – helped guide the Rockets to the NBA finals before losing to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in 6 games. Over the course of the next 8 years years following the loss to Boston, the Houston franchise slipped into a world of mediocrity, making it no further in the playoffs than the Western Conference Semis.
Meanwhile, Olajuwon, began to earn solid reputation of being a great clutch performer, great shot blocker, and a a fierce competitor.
And the NBA took notice.
Between 1986 and 1994 Olajuwon earned All NBA Team Honors 8 times, All NBA Defensive First Team Honors 5 times and 2 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, He also appeared in 7 NBA All Star games, and earned both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Sportsmanship Award.
While all of Olajuwon’s accomplishments during this stretch of mediocrity were undoubtedly extraordinary, nothing topped two of the most amazing performances of his career – performances that occurred just twenty-six days apart from one another.
On March 3rd 1990, Olajuwon seemingly became just the third NBA player in history to record a quadruple-double when he compiled 29 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks versus Chris Mullin and the Golden State Warriors. Shortly after the game ended however, league officials corrected a statistical error on their part and relinquished one of Olajuwon’s assists leaving him with 9 and nothing more than a monstrous triple-double.
Olajuwon, feeling denied perhaps, dramatically entered the NBA record books 26 days later on March 29th when he earned 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks against none other than Alvin Robertson and the Milwaukee Bucks. Olajuwon’s performance that night is still considered by many to be one of the greatest in NBA history.
Olajuwon and the Rockets eventually went on to win the NBA Title four years later by defeating Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks in Houston in a memorable seven game series.
Olajuwon was a catalyst in the game six victory at Madison Square Garden in New York, scoring 25 points, snatching 10 rebounds, and blocking John Starks game winning three point attempt with two seconds left to secure the seventh and deciding game in Houston. Olajuwon was bestowed NBA Finals MVP Honors.
The following season Olajuwon, with newly acquired Clyde Drexler at his side once again, helped Houston win a second consecutive NBA Championship. Olajuwon also earned his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award.
In 1996 Olajuwon played along side basketball legends Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neil, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and others as a member of the 1996 Summer Olympic Basketball Gold Medal winning Dream Team III. That same year, the NBA recognized Olajuwon as one of the top 50 players in NBA history.
Olajuwon went on to play seven more seasons in the NBA after winning the gold medal in Atlanta. During the course of his illustrious 18-year career Olajuwon, a 12 time All-Star and 12 time All NBA Team member, averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.09 blocks and 2.5 assists per game. His number 34 hangs in the rafters at the Toyota Center in Houston and will eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Admiral
Perhaps one of Hakeem Olajuwon’s fiercest NBA rivals was U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and Key West Florida native turned San Antonio Spur superstar David Robinson.
Robinson, who was the first player selected in the 1987 NBA Draft, gave his new and struggling Spurs team an instant shot in the arm upon arrival in 1989 after filling his two year military service commitment with the Navy. During Robinson’s rookie season, the Spurs went from worst to First in the Western Conference’s Midwest Division with a 56-26 record before falling in the second round to Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trailblazers in a hard fought seven game series.
Much like Olajuwon, Robinson suffered through several more successful regular but disappointing playoff seasons before finally winning the NBA Championship – ironically over the New York Knicks in 1999.
Robinson also compiled similar statistics, honors, and Olympic Gold Medals as Olajuwon; in addition to earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors and a scoring title. And much like Olajuwon, Robinson accomplished a quadruple-double, making him the fourth and most recent to do so.
Robinson accomplished his quadruple-double on February 17th 1994 by amassing 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks against Grant Hill and the Detroit Pistons.
Eight years and two NBA championship rings later, Robinson retired from the NBA with per game averages of 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.5 assists. His number 50 hangs from the rafters at the SBC Communications Center in San Antonio, Texas.
posted by James_Morisette @ 7:44 AM
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