Basketball On The Internet.

HE DID it. Everyone following elite basketball in Australia knew it only was a matter of time but Josh Giddey did it for Oklahoma City Thunder against Dallas Mavericks. Did what, only those with their heads buried in the sand might ask? He became the youngest player ever to record an NBA "triple-double".

While that "youngest ever" part of the record may have been a sweet bonus, few doubted a Giddey triple-double was on the cards and it came in an 86-95 loss to the Mavs.

Three Dallas starters were playing their first game back from COVID while six other Mavs rotation players were ruled out under NBA health and safety protocols.

OK, so you now have some perspective. Even so, feel free to enjoy the fact Giddey, at 19 years and 84 days old, became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double.

Our future Aussie playmaker had 17 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. In doing so, he set a few new all-time NBA standards, first with his age - breaking the previous mark of 19 years and 140 days set by former Illawarra Hawk, LaMelo Ball.

He also led all players on both teams in points, in rebounds and in assists, becoming the youngest ever to also achieve that milestone.

Dallas Mavs coach, Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, who had 107 triple-doubles himself as an NBA player, was duly impressed. 

Kidd said Giddey “has the total package” and “is as good as advertised.”

While the NBL, which awarded him its Rookie of the Year honours for his solitary season last year, and the Adelaide 36ers who made him the club's joint-MVP with Daniel Johnson, are duly celebrating, the rest of us are looking forward.

The Boomers broke through for their historic first medal of any hue at the Tokyo Olympic Games last year. I suspect Giddey and the "new crew" have more such accomplishments in store.

(Co-written by Bob Craven)