How good was Michael Jordan, really? - Unexplainable

Transcript

Pablo Torre (0:01)

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Strawberry Me (0:45)

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Tom Haberstro (1:23)

One of the things that always blows my mind, no matter how many times I think about it, is that I've never really touched anything. Like, I can feel my chair. It feels solid. I'm sitting on it right now, but no part of me is actually touching it. I'm just feeling the electromagnetic force between my atoms and the ones in the chair. I'm kind of hovering. We're all hovering all the time. This kind of thing tends to happen a lot. The closer you look, things get sort of wiggly, even simple questions, things I've taken for granted my whole life. Like this great one I came across recently. Exactly how good was Michael Jordan? You know, the basketball goat? How good was he at actually playing basketball? So the way any normal basketball fan would try to answer this question is by going to the stats, right? You look up any given game, you'll see how many points he had, how many blocks, how many assists. But then you start asking yourself, how do they know how many he had? Well, the answer is that an official in the stadium entered those things into a database and like, okay, points are easy. You know, you put in one point for a free throw, two points for a layup, three points for a three pointer. Simple. But everything else blocks, assists. They're kind of judgment calls, those numbers that get etched into basketball history as records that fans end up viewing as somewhere between objective Truth and almost scripture. A lot of those numbers are just something we assume happened. Like my butt assumes it's touching my chair. I started thinking about this after I listened to an episode of one of my favorite podcasts. Pablo Torre finds out where they pulled on this thread of NBA stats, and they sort of ended up unraveling the whole sweater. So we wanted to share it with you. As they say in the episode, in a very unexplainable way, the deeper we go in NBA history, it feels like the more we don't know. Okay, here's Pablo.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Unexplainable Episode – "How Good Was Michael Jordan, Really?"

Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host/Author: Vox
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Introduction to the Episode's Theme

In this thought-provoking episode of Unexplainable, the Vox team delves into one of sports' most enduring debates: the true greatness of Michael Jordan. Hosted by Pablo Torre, alongside contributors Tom Haberstro and Alex Rucker, the episode challenges the conventional metrics used to evaluate Jordan's legacy by investigating the integrity of NBA statistics from the past.

The Subjectivity of NBA Statistics ([01:23] - [03:51])

Tom Haberstro opens the discourse by expressing skepticism about the objectivity of NBA statistics beyond straightforward metrics like points scored. He narrates an unsettling realization that statistical categories such as assists and blocks may have been subject to subjective judgment calls by official scorekeepers. A pivotal moment in the episode is the revelation of Nick Van Exel's anomalous 23-assist game, which doesn't align with available game footage.

Notable Quote:
Tom Haberstro ([01:23]): "Exactly how good was Michael Jordan? You know, the basketball goat?... A lot of those numbers are just something we assume happened."

Unraveling the Stat Manipulation Conspiracy ([03:51] – [17:17])

The conversation intensifies as Pablo Torre interviews Alex Rucker, a renowned figure in NBA analytics. Alex recounts his discovery of inconsistencies in NBA stats dating back to the late 1990s, particularly focusing on the Vancouver Grizzlies' season where exaggerated statistics were prevalent. Their investigation reveals a systemic issue where stats were "cooked" to enhance player appearances and team marketability.

Key Points:

Case Study: Nick Van Exel's 23-assist game lacked supporting footage, suggesting manipulative recording.
Expansion Teams' Strategy: The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies reportedly inflated stats to gain media attention and bolster team profiles.
Alex Rucker's Evidence: Through old media guides and digital archives, Alex uncovered discrepancies that corroborate the manipulation narrative.

Notable Quote:
Alex Rucker ([11:05]): "If you watch the film, the very first assist that Nick Van Exel has, it's not even on the screen... When you look at the box score, I couldn't believe it."

Implications on Historical NBA Records ([17:17] – [33:02])

As Alex and Pablo delve deeper, they analyze the broader impact of these manipulations on NBA history. They highlight significant disparities in block and steal statistics, especially favoring home teams, which likely skewed the perceived performance of legendary players like Michael Jordan and Vince Carter.

Key Points:

Statistical Inflation: From the mid-80s to the early 2000s, certain teams exhibited a stark inconsistency between home and away stats, with blocks and assists frequently exaggerated.
Impact on Legends: Questions arise about the authenticity of Michael Jordan's defensive accolades, such as his 1988 Defensive Player of the Year award, given the inflated block stats.
Contemporary Reflections: The duo contrasts past data manipulation with today’s more accurate and scrutinized statistical recording methods, thanks to advancements like Sport View.

Notable Quote:
Alex Rucker ([27:14]): "When you look at what Alex is alleging and then you look at the numbers on basketball reference... [it] was part of how they marketed the team."

Modern NBA and the Evolution of Stat Accuracy ([33:02] – [44:23])

Transitioning to the present, the episode examines how the NBA has revolutionized its data collection and analysis techniques. Modern technologies and stringent oversight have substantially reduced the room for statistical manipulation, providing a more accurate reflection of player performances.

Key Points:

Technological Advancements: Introduction of systems like Sport View ensures precise tracking of player movements and actions, minimizing human error and bias.
Enhanced Oversight: Increased scrutiny and transparency in stat-keeping have bolstered the credibility of current NBA statistics.
Shift in Game Dynamics: The modern emphasis on pace and efficiency has naturally led to higher scoring without the need for data inflation.

Notable Quote:
Nick Van Exel ([34:20]): "There's so much more scrutiny, oversight, review of it now where you should have a lot more faith and confidence in the data that's pumped out now than the data that was pumped out 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago."

Concluding Reflections: The Human Element in Sports Statistics ([44:23] – [46:43])

In the episode's culmination, Pablo Torre and Alex Rucker reflect on the inherent human element in sports and the delicate balance between entertainment and statistical integrity. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy skepticism towards historical data while acknowledging the strides made in modern analytics.

Key Points:

Historical Context: Recognition that past NBA seasons operated in a less regulated statistical environment, where entertainment often took precedence over pure data accuracy.
Trust in Data: Encouragement to appreciate current statistical methodologies while critically evaluating historical records.
Legacy of Legends: Despite historical manipulations, the legacy of players like Michael Jordan remains influential, albeit with a nuanced understanding of their recorded achievements.

Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre ([43:06]): "We thought. This is one thing Alex Rucker mentioned to me and it stuck with me in my head is it's good to have a healthy appreciation, a healthy respect, a healthy skepticism of data."

Final Thoughts

Unexplainable's episode "How Good Was Michael Jordan, Really?" offers a compelling exploration into the complexities surrounding sports statistics and their impact on the legacies of basketball's greatest players. By uncovering potential manipulations in historical data, the podcast invites listeners to reassess preconceived notions and appreciate the meticulous advancements in modern sports analytics.

End of Summary