What is the Jaren Jackson Jr's stats inflating theory going viral: All you need to know

Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr.'s stats have been put under a microscope recently. The former NBA All-Defensive First Team member was the subject of a thorough investigation online by Reddit User AdMassive6666 in r/NBA.

By looking at his game log, it has become pretty apparent that Jackson Jr has been putting up stellar numbers since returning from foot surgery. In recent months he has been averaging Defensive Player of the Year numbers, however upon u/AdMassive6666 taking a closer look, something wasn't right.

Further investigation paints a picture of Jaren Jackson Jr.'s stats being inflated by the Memphis Grizzlies home scorekeeper. In several instances, while contesting a shot, he is wrongly credited with a block, and in other instances is wrongly credited with steals he had nothing to do with.

After further investigation, there are several key moments that seem to support the theory, which were included in the user's investigation:

"Example #2 Utah Jazz @ Memphis Grizzlies Sunday 1/8 10:09 remaining in the 1st quarter Jordan Clarkson throws a bad pass directly to Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson for some odd reason is credited with the steal. Bane actually steals the ball."

"Example #4 Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzlies Monday 1/16 7:02 remaining in the 4th quarter Brandon Clarke blocks Saban Lee's layup, but the Memphis scorekeeper instantly gives the block to nearby Jaren Jackson Jr."

Jaren Jackson Jr's stats at home compared to on the road

What the user's investigation concluded was staggering, last season Jaren Jackson Jr's stats were very similar both at home and on the road. This season, it's the complete opposite. Jackson Jr averages 89% more steals and blocks at home than he does on the road.

In 16 home games, he has recorded 66 blocks, while he's recorded just 35 in 16 road games. Similarly, he's been credited with 22 steals in 16 home games despite having just 10 in 16 road games.

Using the combined 'stocks' (steals + blocks) stat, Jackson Jr has been credited with 88 combined stocks at home compared to 45 on the road.

Memphis Grizzlies v Sacramento Kings

Further investigation revealed that Jaren Jackson Jr's best statlines of the season have overwhelmingly happened at home. Three of his 14 games with 5+ stocks have been road games. On the flip side, eight of his nine games with 6+ stocks have come at home.

Interestingly enough, despite his season average on his NBA.com player-page showing a 3.1bpg average, he is not listed as the NBA's official blocks leader. In fact, when looking at the NBA's official season leaders, it's Nic Claxton who leads the league with 2.7 blocks per game.

After going from a +10,000 underdog to win the Defensive Player of the Year award to a -200 favorite, it seems incredibly strange that Jackson Jr is looking so dominant.

As the theory continues to gain momentum online, it will be interesting to see how things play out and whether the NBA conducts an investigation into the matter. Below you can see some of Jackson Jr's best legitimate defensive plays this season.

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