Shaquille O’Neal has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Michael Jordan’s statistics, admitting that home statisticians may have favored Jordan and other all-time greats. However, Shaq believes that the past should be left alone and that the focus should be on the present.
Big Shaq used John Stockton’s assist record as an example, pointing out that even though Stockton may have received “extra love” from home scorekeepers, his record is still documented and should be respected. Shaquille O’Neal expressed frustration with the ongoing drama, urging fans to move on and not dwell on unconfirmed allegations.
I sat there and watched John Stockton’s last game where he threw it to a guy and the guy took ten dribbles and two steps and he was able to break the assist record. Do they get extra love at home? They do. But it doesn’t matter. It’s there. It’s documented. You wanna impress me, go back and change it. Let it go, it’s unconfirmed. The guy who brought it up, you went viral. Now what? Shaquille O’Neal said on his podcast
The controversy surrounding Jordan’s statistics surfaced after a report from Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh highlighted discrepancies in Jordan’s steals and blocks numbers during his 1988 DPOY season. The report noted that Jordan recorded significantly more steals and blocks in home games compared to away games, leading to allegations of inflated statistics.
Despite the controversy, Shaq remains adamant that the past should be left alone, and the legacies of NBA greats like Jordan and Stockton should be respected. He encouraged fans to appreciate the achievements of NBA legends without constantly questioning their validity.
The untold story of Michael Jordan’s early years
Before joining the NBA, Michael Jordan honed his skills with the United States Olympic basketball team, leading them to a gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Jordan adapted his game to play inside the paint, learning to draw fouls and make smart plays against bigger defenders.
He showcased his talent in a 96-85 win over a team of NBA All-Stars, scoring 25 points and demonstrating his quickness and scoring ability. Jordan’s Olympic performance was a preview of his success in the NBA where he averaged 17.1 points per game and led the US national team to a dominant victory, winning by an average margin of 32.1 points.
Jordan’s impressive Olympic performance translated to immediate success in the NBA. He averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game in his rookie season, earning Rookie of the Year honors and his first All-Star Game selection. This marked the beginning of Jordan’s legendary career, which would go on to include six NBA titles, numerous individual awards, and a lasting impact on the sport.