10 Reasons Luka Doncic was wrongfully robbed of the 2024 NBA MVP

4. Was extremely close to averaging a triple-double

While Luka Doncic didn’t quite cross the same bridge that the likes of Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook have in terms of averaging a triple-double for a whole season, Doncic came awfully close with averages of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game to wrap up the regular season for the Dallas Mavericks.

Doncic’s assists average was by far the highest mark of his career this season, and he only averaged more rebounds once in his entire career, which came in the 2019-20 season when he averaged 9.4 rebounds per game. Doncic being able to increase his assist number can certainly be attributed to having better teammates this season on offense, but it’s still extremely impressive when one takes into consideration that Doncic increased his productivity in nearly every other facet of the game as well.

Doncic definitely has the ball in his hands quite a bit, as there have been times throughout this season where he’s been the sole source of the Mavericks offense. However, with Doncic increasing his total offensive production and shooting efficiency, being able to become an even more dynamic passer is nothing short of amazing.

Doncic may have not averaged a triple double, but he averaged a few more points than both Robertson and Westbrook did in the seasons they averaged triple-doubles, proving that this season from Doncic was truly a statistical anomaly. Doncic’s unrivaled control of the game speaks to how he was able to nearly accomplish an insane feat, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Doncic average a triple-double in a season at some point in his NBA career.

Voters could have certainly been more generous to Doncic for almost pulling off this feat, as Russell Westbrook won an MVP for averaging a triple-double in the 2016-17 season despite the Thunder only being the sixth seed.