Last night, the Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard, Josh Giddey, made history in the Thunder’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans. The rookie posted a similar stat made 50 years ago by Norm Van Lier.
Van Lier in 1971, made the weirdest type of history recording double-double without registering a point. He had posted 10 rebounds and 13 assists without a point, this feat had never been done by a player in NBA history. It left people wondering how a talented playmaker who could register 13 assists failed to find the hoop at least once.
50 years after, Giddey reenacted such stat, making him the second person in NBA history to record a double-double without registering a point. In the game against the Pelicans, the 19-year old completed 10 rebounds and 10 assists to help his team win the game.
Josh Giddey with a stat line not seen in 50 years.
0 PTS
10 REB
10 AST
He’s the first player with a double-double on zero points since Norm Van Lier in 1971.
(Submitted by @StevieCozens) pic.twitter.com/0yCWnFJY06
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 27, 2021
Although he did not find his way to the score sheet, he did an excellent job dropping dimes and cleaning the glass. So far, his partnership with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not yielded the desired result but they are on their way to creating a formidable backcourt duo.
Giddey, who currently has an average of 10.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, shares similar physical attributes and style of play as Van Lier. The first-round draft pick has started all games for OKC, and this wasn’t any different. He made 8 attempts from the field and 2 attempts from beyond the arc but failed to make a basket.
The game ended in favor of OKC, as they claimed victory by a 5-point margin. They are currently ranked 13th in the NBA Western Conference having registered a 12-20 record.
Giddey has been outstanding for the Thunder and has a good chance of making the All-Rookie first team. His court vision and decision-making are some of the reasons why the Thunder fans have taken a liking to the 6’8″ Australian.
