When ‘Point Guard’ Michael Jordan’s Blatant Stat Padding to Prove His MVP Case Led to NBA Changing its Rules: “You Need Three More of This”

Back in the 1988-1989 season, the Chicago Bulls were struggling on offense. While they did have the legendary Michael Jordan, the team lacked a player who could run the floor. So, in an attempt to get the offense moving, head coach Doug Collings moved MJ to point guard. This, as revealed in The Jordan Rules, presented the six-time NBA Champion with the perfect opportunity to stat pad. He would even ask game scorers and Bulls staff members how many more points, assists, or rebounds he needed for a triple-double. A habit the NBA put an end to.

In today’s game, many legends and current players alike accuse their colleagues of stat padding. Players like Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and The King himself, LeBron James have been looked down upon for this very reason. However, despite the general disdain surrounding even MJ kept an eye on his stats.

Michael Jordan was so focused on stat padding that the NBA had to put a stop to it

In the 1988 season, the NBA was forced to take action against Michael Jordan. His Airness was in the midst of a battle for the MVP award. And, given how things went back then, he needed to improve his stats significantly. Fortunately, he had a change in position later in the season.

With a lack of a competent point guard, former Bulls head coach Doug Collins moved Jordan to the position. And here, he thrived. MJ managed a triple-double for seven consecutive games, as his stats started to beef up. In fact, it reached a point where he actively started asking about his stats.

Whether it was the Bulls staff, assistant coaches, or even the guys at the scorer’s desk. He would ask them how many points, rebounds, or assists he needed to get a triple-double. He was clearly stat padding, but the league got wind of this and informed the scorers to stop informing him.

“Since switching to point guard for the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan has become statistic conscious. He has started checking with statisticians to see how close he is to a triple-double. He had a string of seven consecutive triple-doubles broken Friday night. ‘The guys at the scorer’s desk let me know what I need,’ Jordan said. So, too, do the Bulls’ assistant coaches. ‘They keep reminding me when I get back to the huddle,’ Jordan said.”

Unfortunately for the league, this didn’t stop Jordan. All he did was rely on his team and keep a mental note. After all, he was focused on securing the MVP award. An award he would eventually end up winning five times.

Jordan succeded in winning five MVPs in his 14-year career

Michael Jordan is undoubtedly the greatest player of all time, and that is reflected in the success he had throughout his career. His six NBA Championships aside, His Airness won the MVP award on multiple occasions. He won the award in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998, a total of five times, matching Bill Russell and falling short of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by one.

In fact, he was so good, that the NBA decided to honor him. From last season onwards, the league MVP is now awarded with the Michael Jordan Trophy.

MJ truly is the GOAT, and the NBA’s decision to name the trophy after him is a testament to just how great he is.