PUTTING JORDAN'S "GREATNESS" INTO CONTEXT
Let's quickly debunk a few areas of Jordan's "dominance."
All-defensive teams: Jordan's supporters frequently refer to the number of times that Jordan made the All-defensive team. The All-defensive team wasn't created until 1969 - Bill Russell's final season, and yes, Russell did make it. Walt Frazier made the first seven teams (1969-75). It didn't exist during his first 2 seasons.
Playoff MVP: This award also wasn't created until 1969.
Steals and blocks: These stats weren't officially recorded until the 1974 seasons - Oscar Robertson's final season and the season after Wilt Chamberlain retired. Unofficial stats frequently had Walt Frazier making well over 5 steals, and in Wilt Chamberlain's first game, he unofficially had 17 blocks. One official said that in his estimate, Wilt and Russell averaged about 8 blocks per game that he witnessed them play.
Triple-doubles: This stat wasn't officially recorded until the early 1980s. Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double over the course of his first 5 seasons. Wilt Chamberlain averaged 24.3 ppg, 23.8 rpg, and 8.6 apg. You don't think he had a few triple-doubles that season? (He recorded the only triple-20 (20+ points, rebounds, and assists) in history that season. Toss in blocks, and he had quite a few quadruple-doubles during his career.
Defensive Player of the Year: This award wasn't issued until the 1983 season. It's safe to say that Bill Russell would have won quite a few of these, and Wilt probably would have won in 1972 and 73.
