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Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons after NBA rookie record triple doubles

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 24: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on January 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 24: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on January 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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When Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons recorded his fifth Triple-Double as a rookie, he tied 2nd best NBA rookie record set by Phoenix Suns center Alvan Adams, and is now just 2 behind legendary Magic Johnson

The news of Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons recording a triple-double is becoming commonplace. But it shouldn’t be so, as he tied second best Phoenix Suns’ Alvan Adams NBA record for triple doubles set by a rookie with five. He stands behind one player now, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, who recorded seven such triple-double during his 1979-1980 season as a rookie.  And his season is not even half over.

Triple doubles have been a rare event for the NBA. But with smaller ball rosters, the same players who can score and distribute the ball are suddenly a force in the rebounding department. So times are changing.  The Step Back’s Myles Wray had a nice piece discussing this very statistic.  In his article, he points out the ability of Ben Simmons, and projects him to record 18 Triple-Doubles this season.  That’s… a lot.

Simmons tied for rookie record, for now

The last modern day NBA player to score five triple-doubles as a rookie was Phoenix Suns center Alvan Adams  during his 1975-1976 season. In that year, he recorded five triple doubles.  However, he is a far cry from 26 triple-doubles set by then Cincinnati Royals rookie Oscar Robertson in 1960-1961.  But the Roberson record came at a time when records were nor maintained very well for NBA players. Now, in the dawn of the NBA’s wave of analytics, everything is recorded and analyzed.

As far as the Philadelphia 76ers team records? Simmons recorded two triple-doubles in his first nine games of the season. The other Philadelphia 76ers player to do that was Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain. And while the NBA continues to snub Simmons for the NBA All-Star, the record books are warm and welcoming to the 6-foot-10 Philadelphia 76ers point guard.

What about KIA NBA Rookie of the Year?

While no fan will argue that the playoffs come second to Rookie of the Year honors, it is nice to see a 76ers player lead in the category of ROY after the league snubbed Joel Embiid and Dario Saric from a year ago.  And  it punctuates the fact that the 76ers rookie is truly a special NBA player.

One of the more remarkable surprises for Simmons’ season is his defense. With a team which seems to deflate in many categories at the moment center Joel Embiid walks to the bench, Simmons shows remarkable resiliency at both ends of the basketball court.  While there are limits to his effectiveness against NBA elites, that can certainly be forgive. After all, Simmons is a rookie after all.

Related Story: Who is Ben Simmons really?

What a rookie season so far!

A rookie.  He is a young man chasing an NBA dream of playing well on the basketball court. And the comparisons to the rookie season of Lakers’ Johnson are undeniable. On one hand, Magic averaged 18.0 points per game, Simmons 16.7 (as of February 2, 2018). On the other hand, Johnson averaged 7.3 assists, as does Simmons. Finally, Johnson averaged 7.7 rebounds in his rookie season, Simmons averages 7.8.

Next: Hey Philadelphia 76ers, watcha gonna do with all that salary cap?

It’s only fitting that Simmons now trails Magic Johnson in the NBA record books. Bazsed on the similarities of their rookie seasons, it seems as though Simmons may be compared to Johnson for some time.  In the end, that’s okay. The Lakers under  Magic Johnson did okay for themselves.  And to think how so many scoffed at the idea when the 76ers told everyone that Simmons could play point guard. Whose laughing now?