Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan (Image Credits: Getty Images)
In a recent episode of the Big Podcast with Shaq, host Shaquille O’Neal shared his opinions on several current NBA topics, including Bronny James’ draft prospects, the Lakers’ hiring of JJ Redick, and the comparison between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Additionally, the former NBA player also addressed the controversy surrounding Michael Jordan’s inflated stats.

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“I knew they were. I sat there and watched John Stockton’s last game, where he threw it to a guy, the guy took 10 dribbles and two steps, and he was able to break the assists record. Do they give extra love at home? They do. But it doesn’t matter.” Shaquille O’Neal said during a recent episode of his podcast.

Shaq, who is also known as the Big Diesel, mentioned that home statisticians may have given greater weight to Jordan and other legendary players. He also noted that the past should be ignored, and the present should take precedence.

The Origin of Jordan’s Inflated Stats That Shaq Mentioned

Shaq further mentioned that if someone were to go back and change Jordan’s stats, they should also change the stats of other great players, including John Havlicek and Pete Maravich.

“Do you want to impress me? Go back and change it. If you go back and change the Jordan stats, let’s go back to all the guys, Havlicek and Pete Maravich, who shot behind the three. Let’s give them an extra point for all the deep-range shots they got if you want to do that. Let it go. It’s unconfirmed.” Shaq added.

The debate began when NBA insider Tom Haberstroh shared his opinion about Michael Jordan’s steals and blocks during his Defensive Player of the Year 1988 season. He mentioned that Jordan was accused of manipulating stats because he had a significant advantage in steals and blocks at home compared to road games. This sparked a debate among NBA experts and fans about the accuracy of Jordan’s achievements.

During the same podcast, the owner of the Big Chicken brand, Shaq, also issued a public apology to Drake for a social media misstep.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.