First and foremost special thanks to Roland Lazenby of HoopsHype who wrote an article on this subject in 2006, (Death of defense), of which was a major inspiration to me.
My goal with this topic is simple. #1, to show you what Jordan endured as a player. #2, to dispell the myths and propaganda that has been brought forth by homers. #3, to educate you this way you can better know what to recognize while observing a basketball game.
1999-00
• In the backcourt, there is no contact with hands and forearms by defenders. In the frontcourt, there is no contact with hands and forearms by defenders except below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may only use his forearm. In the post, neither the offensive player nor the defender is allowed to dislodge or displace a player who has legally obtained a position. Defender may not use his forearm, shoulder, hip or hand to reroute or hold-up an offensive player going from point A to point B or one who is attempting to come around a legal screen set by another offensive player. Slowing or impeding the progress of the screener by grabbing, clutching, holding “chucking” or “wrapping up” is prohibited.
2000-01
• No contact with either hands or forearms by defenders except in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may use his forearm only.
• Defender may not use his forearm, shoulder, hip or hand to reroute or hold-up an offensive player going from point A to Point B or one who is attempting to come around a legal screen set by another offensive player.
• Slowing or impeding the progress of the screener by grabbing, clutching, holding “chucking” or “wrapping up” is prohibited.
2001-02
• A new defensive three-second rule will prohibit a defensive player from remaining in the lane for more than three consecutive seconds without closely guarding an offensive player.
2004-05
• New rules were introduced to curtail hand-checking, clarify blocking fouls and call defensive three seconds to open up the game.
2006-07
• On a clear-path-to-the-basket foul, the team that is fouled is awarded two free throw attempt and the ball on the sideline.
The ironic thing, the truth is the exact opposite of what the Kobe Bryant spin doctors would lead you to believe, take it from Michael Jordan:
“The history book inspires them to be some of the best,” said Jordan. “Rules have changed to help them. I could have averaged 50 points today!”
Joe Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks was asked about the handchecking rule during the summer of 2010: "It benefits me," said Joe Johnson, one of three players (Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford are the others) on the Hawks' roster who have averaged 20 or more points in a season. "It definitely changes the game because it gives every guy that extra step. "If we could hand check now, the game would be totally different," Johnson said. "If they couldn't hand check back in the day, there are some guys that would have been even better than they were. It would have been nuts for some of the big-time scorers and perimeter players from the 1980s and 1990s. Can you imagine what [Michael] Jordan would have done in a league where you couldn't hand check."
During a 2007 L.A. Lakers pre-season broadcast, Phil Jackson was asked how he thought Michael Jordan would perform today, Phil said: "Michael would average 45 with these rules."
"You can't even touch a guy now," says Charlotte coach Larry Brown, who also coached the 2004 Pistons defense... "The college game is much more physical than our game. I always tease Michael [Jordan], if he played today, he'd average 50."
Question for Clyde Drexler:
In the current league where there is no hand checking and no ruff play how much better would your numbers be?
Clyde Drexler: Oh, tremendously better, from shooting percentage to points per game everything would be up, and our old teams would score a lot more points, and that is saying something because we could score a lot back then. I do think there should be an asterisk next to some of these scoring leaders, because it is much different trying to score with a forearm in your face. It is harder to score with that resistance. You had to turn your back on guys defending you back in the day with all the hand checking that was going on. For guys who penetrate these days, it's hunting season. Yes, now you can play (floating)zone(legally), but teams rarely do.
"The defensive rules, the hand checking, the ability to make contact on a guy in certain areas .... [have] all been taken away from the game. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today's game." - Scottie Pippen January 2006
Craig Hodges is the Lakers shooting coach, get a look at what he said:
Q: If you could take one player in their prime, would you take Michael Jordan or Kobe?
A: M.J., all day. There's no comparison. M.J. could score 100 points in this era. You can't hand-check now. Imagine that trying to guard M.J. It would be crazy.
Hall of Famer Rick Barry, a keen observer of the game, said he would love to see players of the past getting to attack the basket under the new officiating. “They’d score a lot more,” he said.
Tex Winter said: "Players today can get to the basket individually much easier."
Asked if he could defend Jordan under today’s interpretation of the rules, Joe Dumars first laughed, “It would have been virtually impossible to defend Michael Jordan based on the way the game’s being called right now.”
Question for Dominique Wilkins: Seeing that you played in one of the greatest eras in NBA history, what has changed the most in the NBA since your days as a player?
Dominique Wilkins: "The power forward position had the license to kick your butt and the game was very physical. I think the physical aspect of the game, some of it has been taken away with the rule changes."
Do you think you could take them?
Dominique Wilkins: "I don’t believe in comparisons, but I look at the era I played in. Like I said, when you have to play against a great player every night, that defines who you are if you can compete on that same level night in and night out. That tells you where your place is in the whole, I would say, history of the game. You put yourself in a very high spot."
Dominique Wilkins: "When you can compete on that level against the greatest players every single night, and when you can play just as good or better, that really defines who you are as a player. So if you’re asking me what would I have done [today], well, put it this way, if you couldn’t touch me [because of the rule changes], instead of averaging 25 or 30 [points], I’d probably average 40."
Tim Grover, who has trained Kobe, Lebron, and Jordan, was asked who would win a 1-on-1 battle of Jordan vs. either of the other two:
Tim Grover: "Oh, Michael. No question. From a physical and mental standpoint, he's the best I've ever seen. If he were playing now, with the way the refs call everything, and with all the padding these guys wear, he'd average 40 or 50 a night if he wanted."
MJ also says due to defensive rule changes like hand checking, if he played in today's NBA, dropping triple digits would be reachable for him. “It's less physical and the rules have changed, obviously." says Jordan. “Based on these rules, if I had to play with my style of play, I'm pretty sure I would have fouled out or I would have been at the free throw line pretty often and I could have scored 100 points.”
.......EVEN MORE........
Doug Collins: "Without those rule changes, I'm sure we're not at this point," said the former player and coach-turned broadcaster. "Just the no hand-checking rule alone brought so much speed and penetration and cutting back into the game. Before, if a guy tried to go through the lane, it was — bam! — you stop him.
One former Rocket can appreciate the hand-checking ban more than anyone.
"I call it the Derek Harper-on-Kenny Smith Rule," said Kenny Smith, referring to the physical abuse he took from the New York Knicks in the 1994 Finals. "Now we're back to me against you."
The Godfather 25 years of NBA coverage in Portland: NBA point guards are elite athletes and expecting a defender who doesn’t know which direction a dribbler is headed to stay in front of him is borderline ridiculous. It’s like expecting a defensive back, by himself, to blanket Randy Moss on a pass pattern. And don’t expect a ton of help from your big man, either. Those days are just about over. During the last few decades, a lot of the new rules have conspired to make it difficult for big men to have the impact they used to have on games, at both ends of the floor. And at the same time, the illegal defense rules have kept the big guy from lurking in the lane like a goaltender on defense. I can remember Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond, all great shot blockers, just camping out in the lane. Believe me, you didn’t want to go in there when they were lurking. In most cases, they didn’t have to stray far from the pivot men (now there’s an antiquated term) they were guarding because he was almost always strictly a low-post player who hung around the basket. But now, if you hang in the lane, you’re going to give up a technical foul for being in the key three seconds — on defense!
Scottie Pippen: I think you definitely have to give Michael a little bit of a nod in most areas of the game, whether it is passing or shooting. Kobe is truly a great shooter, but he is playing in a different era of the game. It’s not as physical. He also has more freedom in going to the basket, which creates a more wide-open scoring opportunity for players like him in today’s game. We’ve never seen the amount of players scoring 30, 40 or 50 points in a game. Ten years ago, if a player scored 50 points in a game, it would be major news all week.
NBA.com: Since the hand-checking rule was interpreted differently beginning in the 2004-05 season, the game has opened up. Players are penetrating and the floor is spread. As a result, scoring has risen every season. Was this anticipated back in 2004?
Stu Jackson: No. The scoring increase was not our goal. Our objective was to allow for more offensive freedom by not allowing defenders to hand-, forearm- or body-check ball handlers. By doing so, we encouraged more dribble penetration. As players penetrated more, it produced higher quality shots for the ball handler as well as shots for teammates on passes back out to perimeter. When NBA players get higher quality shots -- having more time to shoot -- they tend to make more of them.
NBA.com: Shooting percentages have risen since 2004-05 regardless of location -- at-the-rim shots, short- and deep-mid range and 3-pointers. Does this surprise you, especially the higher percentages from 3-point range?
Stu Jackson: It doesn't. With the rule and interpretation changes, it has become more difficult for defenders to defend penetration, cover the entire floor on defensive rotations and recover to shooters. This has provided more time for shooters to ready themselves for quality shots. With more dribble penetration, ball handlers are getting more opportunities at the rim. Additionally, teams now realize the 3-point shot is a great competitive equalizer, so they are taking more; they have improved their skill level on threes and are making them at a higher rate.
So let's now look at the difference in exactly which type of player is scoring more now, as compared to Michael's era. (Also read the article on here entitled "the zone era" for more information)
League leaders in points: 2008-09 NBA Dwyane Wade 2386
2007-08 NBA Kobe Bryant 2323
2006-07 NBA Kobe Bryant 2430
2005-06 NBA Kobe Bryant 2832
2004-05 NBA Allen Iverson 2302 (rules changes go into full effect)
2003-04 NBA Kevin Garnett 1987
Now let's look at PPG leaders who average 24 points per game or more:
2003-2004 ppg:
Points Per Game Leaders
1. Tracy McGrady-ORL 28.0
2. Peja Stojakovic-SAC 24.2
3. Kevin Garnett-MIN 24.2
4. Kobe Bryant-LAL 24.0
2004-2005 ppg (rules changes in full effect)
(Notice a spike in scoring and notice how many perimeter players top the PPG lists)
Points Per Game Leaders
1. Allen Iverson-PHI 30.7
2. Kobe Bryant-LAL 27.6
3. LeBron James-CLE 27.2
4. Dirk Nowitzki-DAL 26.1
5. Amare Stoudemire-PHO 26.0
6. Tracy McGrady-HOU 25.7
7. Gilbert Arenas-WAS 25.5
8. Vince Carter-TOT 24.5
9. Dwyane Wade-MIA 24.1
2005-2006 ppg
Points Per Game Leaders
1. Kobe Bryant-LAL 35.4
2. Allen Iverson-PHI 33.0
3. LeBron James-CLE 31.4
4. Gilbert Arenas-WAS 29.3
5. Dwyane Wade-MIA 27.2
6. Paul Pierce-BOS 26.8
7. Dirk Nowitzki-DAL 26.6
8. Carmelo Anthony-DEN 26.5
9. Michael Redd-MIL 25.4
10. Ray Allen-SEA 25.1
11. Elton Brand-LAC 24.7
12. Vince Carter-NJN 24.2
2006-2007 ppg
Points Per Game Leaders
1. Kobe Bryant-LAL 31.6
2. Carmelo Anthony-DEN 28.9
3. Gilbert Arenas-WAS 28.4
4. LeBron James-CLE 27.3
5. Michael Redd-MIL 26.7
6. Ray Allen-SEA 26.4
7. Allen Iverson-TOT 26.3
8. Vince Carter-NJN 25.2
9. Joe Johnson-ATL 25.0
10. Tracy McGrady-HOU 24.6
11. Dirk Nowitzki-DAL 24.6
2007-2008 ppg
Points Per Game leaders 1.LeBron James-CLE 30.0
2. Kobe Bryant-LAL 28.3
3. Allen Iverson-DEN 26.4
4. Carmelo Anthony-DEN 25.7
5. Amare Stoudemire-PHO 25.2
2008-2009 ppg
Points Per Game
1. Dwyane Wade-MIA 30.2
2. LeBron James-CLE 28.4
3. Kobe Bryant-LAL 26.8
4. Dirk Nowitzki-DAL 25.9
5. Danny Granger-IND 25.8
6. Kevin Durant-OKC 25.3
Now let's compare that to the 90's when Jordan was a Bull:
1997-1998 ppg
Points Per Game leaders 1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 28.7
2. Shaquille O'Neal-LAL 28.3
3. Karl Malone-UTA 27.0
(these were the only 3 players over 24ppg)
1996-1997 ppg
Points Per Game leaders 1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 29.6
2. Karl Malone-UTA 27.4
3. Glen Rice-CHH 26.8
4. Mitch Richmond-SAC 25.9
5. Latrell Sprewell-GSW 24.2
1995-1996 ppg
Points Per Game leaders 1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 30.4
2. Hakeem Olajuwon*-HOU 26.9
3. Shaquille O'Neal-ORL 26.6
4. Karl Malone-UTA 25.7
5. David Robinson*-SAS 25.0
(notice, only one perimeter player)
1994-1995 ppg
Points Per Game leaders
1. Shaquille O'Neal-ORL 29.3
2. Hakeem Olajuwon*-HOU 27.8
3. David Robinson*-SAS 27.6
4. Karl Malone-UTA 26.7
5. Jamal Mashburn-DAL 24.1
(Notice the lack of perimeter players)
1993-1994 ppg
Points Per Game leaders
1. David Robinson*-SAS 29.8
2. Shaquille O'Neal-ORL 29.3
3. Hakeem Olajuwon*-HOU 27.3
4. Dominique Wilkins*-TOT 26.0
5. Karl Malone-UTA 25.2
6. Patrick Ewing*-NYK 24.5
(where are the perimeter players?)
1992-1993 ppg
Points Per Game leaders
1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 32.6
2. Dominique Wilkins*-ATL 29.9
3. Karl Malone-UTA 27.0
4. Hakeem Olajuwon*-HOU 26.1
5. Charles Barkley*-PHO 25.6
6. Patrick Ewing*-NYK 24.2
1991-1992 ppg
Points Per Game leaders
1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 30.1
2. Karl Malone-UTA 28.0
3. Chris Mullin-GSW 25.6
4. Clyde Drexler*-POR 25.0
5. Patrick Ewing*-NYK 24.0
1990-1991 ppg
Points Per Game leaders
1. Michael Jordan*-CHI 31.5
2. Karl Malone-UTA 29.0
3. Bernard King-WSB 28.4
4. Charles Barkley*-PHI 27.6
5. Patrick Ewing*-NYK 26.6
6. Michael Adams-DEN 26.5
7. Dominique Wilkins*-ATL 25.9
8. Chris Mullin-GSW 25.7
9. David Robinson*-SAS 25.6
(notice the lack of perimeter players, imagine Clyde Drexler, Joe Dumars, Tim Hardaway, prime Penny Hardaway, Glen Rice, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller and players like Isiah Thomas playing under today's rules, they would all register 30+ppg seasons more than once.)
During Jordan's era it was MUCH MUCH more difficult for perimeter players to score as much as today's perimeter players....
90's defense was the best defense at containing perimeter basketball players. 90's defenses took the best aspects of 80's defenses and added to them. 00's defenses were stripped of their rights to actually physically contain the ball handler. Why do you think the 04 Pistons defense fell off so quick?
Top 10 defenses that Michael Jordan faced in the playoffs:
1985 Milwaukee Bucks ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
29.3ppg 5.8reb 8.5ast 44%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
1986 Boston Celtics ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
43.7ppg 6.4reb 5.7ast 51%fg
(High scoring game: 63pts & a 49pt game)
1987 Boston Celtics ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
35.7ppg 7.0reb 6.0ast 42%fg
(High scoring game: 42pts)
1988 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 5th in the NBA in defense
45.2ppg 5.4reb 4.8ast 57%fg
(High scoring game: 55pts, 50pts, & a 44pt game)
1988 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
27.4ppg 8.8reb 4.6ast 50%fg
(High scoring game: 36pts)
1989 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
39.8ppg 5.8reb 8.2ast 49%fg
(High scoring game: 50pts, & two 44pt games)
1989 New York Knicks ranked 10th in the NBA in defense
35.67ppg 9.5reb 8.3ast 50%fg
(High scoring game: 47pts & two 40pt games)
1989 Detroit Pistons ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
29.67ppg 5.5reb 6.5ast 48%fg
(High scoring game: 46pts)
1990 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
32.14ppg 7.1reb 6.3ast 47%fg
(High scoring game: 47pts & a 42pt game)
1991 Detroit Pistons ranked 4th in the NBA in defense
29.75ppg 5.3reb 7.0ast 54%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
1991 L.A. Lakers ranked 5th in the NBA in defense
31.2 points 11.4ast 6.6reb 56%fg
(High scoring game: 36pts)
1992 New York Knicks ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
31.28ppg 5.7reb 4.3ast 48%fg
(High scoring game: 42pts)
1992 Portland Trailblazers ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
35.8 ppg 4.8reb 6.5ast 53%fg
(High scoring game: 46pts)
1993 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 6th in the NBA in defense
31.00ppg 5.0reb 5.25ast 49%fg
(High scoring game: 43pts)
1993 New York Knicks ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
32.16ppg 6.2reb 7.0ast 40%fg
(High scoring game: 54 pts)
Jordan had a sprained right wrist in the '93 Conference Finals against the Knicks, which he suffered in game 2 against the Cavs.
1993 Phoenix Suns ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
41.00ppg 8.5 reb 6.3ast 51%fg
(High scoring game: 55pts)
Now, Jordan past his prime:
1995 Charlotte Hornets ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
32.25ppg 6.5reb 5.75 48%fg
(High scoring game: 48pts)
1996 Miami Heat ranked 6th in the NBA in defense
30.00ppg 3.7reb 2.7ast 52%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
1996 New York Knicks ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
36.00ppg 4.8reb 4.4ast 44%fg
(High scoring game: 46pts, also had a 44pt game)
1996 Seattle Supersonics ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
27.3pts 5.3rebs 4.2ast 43%fg
(High scoring game: 36pts)
(Bulls ranked 1st in team defense in 1996)
1997 Atlanta Hawks ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
26.60ppg 10.2reb 5.2ast 45%fg
(High scoring game: 34pts)
1997 Miami Heat ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
30.20ppg 8.0reb 2.6ast 37%fg
(High scoring game: 37pts)
1997 Utah Jazz ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
32.33ppg 7.0reb 6.0ast 46%fg
(High scoring game: 39pts and two 38 point games)
1998 Indiana Pacers ranked 5th in the NBA in defense
31.71ppg 5.7reb 4.1ast 47%fg
(High scoring game: 41pts)
Players who won Defensive player of the year awards in their career, that Jordan faced in the playoffs:
Sidney Moncrief (actually defended Jordan)
1985 Milwaukee Bucks ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
29.3ppg 5.8reb 8.5ast 44%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
Dennis Rodman (defended Jordan in spots)
1988 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
27.4ppg 8.8reb 4.6ast 50%fg
(High scoring game: 36pts)
1989 Detroit Pistons ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
29.67ppg 5.5reb 6.5ast 48%fg
(High scoring game: 46pts)
1990 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
32.14ppg 7.1reb 6.3ast 47%fg
(High scoring game: 47pts & a 42pt game)
1991 Detroit Pistons ranked 4th in the NBA in defense
29.75ppg 5.3reb 7.0ast 54%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
Gary Payton (actually defended Jordan)
1996 Seattle Supersonics ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
27.3pts 5.3rebs 4.2ast 43%fg
(High scoring game: 36pts)
(Bulls ranked 1st in team defense in 1996)
Dikembe Mutombo
1997 Atlanta Hawks ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
26.60ppg 10.2reb 5.2ast 45%fg
(High scoring game: 34pts)
Alonzo Mourning
1995 Charlotte Hornets ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
32.25ppg 6.5reb 5.75 48%fg
(High scoring game: 48pts)
1996 Miami Heat ranked 6th in the NBA in defense
30.00ppg 3.7reb 2.7ast 52%fg
(High scoring game: 35pts)
1997 Miami Heat ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
30.20ppg 8.0reb 2.6ast 37%fg
(High scoring game: 37pts)
Jordan's 50 point games and higher, against top 10 ranked defenses:
69 Cleveland OT 3/28/90 (9th ranked defense)
63 Boston 2OT (Playoffs) * 4/20/86 (1st ranked defense)
61 Detroit OT 3/4/87 (5th ranked defense)
61 Atlanta 4/16/87 (2cnd ranked defense)
59 Detroit 3/3/88 (2cnd ranked defense)
55 Cleveland (Playoffs) 5/1/88 (5th ranked defense)
55 Phoenix (Playoffs) 6/16/93 (9th ranked defense)
55 New York 3/28/95 (1st ranked defense)
54 Cleveland 11/3/89 (9th ranked defense)
54 New York (Playoffs) 5/31/93 (1st ranked defense)
53 Indiana 4/12/87 (8th ranked defense)
53 Phoenix 1/21/89 (5th ranked defense)
53 Detroit 3/7/96 (7th ranked defense)
52 Cleveland 12/17/87 (5th ranked defense)
52 Portland 2/26/88 (10th ranked defense)
52 Denver 11/26/88 (8th ranked defense)
51 New Orleans 12/29/01 (10th ranked defense)
51 New York 1/21/97 (2cnd ranked defense)
50 Milwaukee 4/13/87 (4th ranked NBA defense)
50 Cleveland (Playoffs) 4/28/88 (5th ranked NBA defense)
50 Milwaukee 2/16/89 (6th ranked NBA defense)
50 Cleveland (Playoffs) 5/5/89 (2cnd ranked NBA defense)
Jordan has 22 career 50 point games or higher against top 10 rated NBA defenses.
Players who won Defensive player of the year awards in their career that Jordan dropped 50 point games or higher on:
-Sidney Moncrief:
50 Milwaukee 4/13/87 (4th ranked NBA defense)
-Dennis Rodman:
61 Detroit OT 3/4/87 (5th ranked defense)
59 Detroit 3/3/88 (2cnd ranked defense)
-Dikembe Mutombo:
50 Denver 3/24/92 (13th ranked NBA defense)
Bonus:Playoffs career (Jordan vs the most well known defenses)
Detroit: 30.0 ppg
New York: 33.1 ppg
Boston: 39.7 ppg
Cleveland: 42.5 ppg
New York was the only one of these teams he faced again in the playoffs during the second threepeat.
1991 Lakers = ranked 5th in defense
1992 Blazers = ranked 2nd in defense
1993 Suns = ranked 9th in defense
1996 Sonics = ranked 2cnd in defense
1997 Jazz = 9th in defense
1998 Jazz = 16th in defense
Jordan faced 3 top 5 defenses in the NBA Finals. 3!!!!
Average defensive ranking Jordan faced in the Finals?
7.16
Not to mention, Jordan dropped 63 points on the #1 defense in 1986 who also won the world championship that year aka the Boston Celtics.
All of the defenses Jordan faced and destroyed in the playoffs:
1985 Milwaukee Bucks ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
1986 Boston Celtics ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
1987 Boston Celtics ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
1988 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 5th in the NBA in defense
1988 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
1989 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
1989 New York Knicks ranked 10th in the NBA in defense
1989 Detroit Pistons ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
1990 Milwaukee Bucks ranked 14th in the NBA in defense
1990 Philadelphia 76ers ranked 19th in the NBA in defense
1990 Detroit Pistons ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
1991 New York Knicks ranked 12th in the NBA in defense
1991 Philadelphia 76ers ranked 14th in the NBA in defense
1991 Detroit Pistons ranked 4th in the NBA in defense
1992 Miami Heat ranked 24th in the NBA in defense
1992 New York Knicks ranked 2cnd in the NBA in defense
1992 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 11th in the NBA in defense
1993 Atlanta Hawks ranked 22cnd in the NBA in defense
1993 Cleveland Cavaliers ranked 6th in the NBA in defense
1993 New York Knicks ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
1995 Charlotte Hornets ranked 9th in the NBA in defense
1995 Orlando Magic ranked 13th in the NBA in defense
1996 Miami Heat ranked 6th in the NBA in defense
1996 New York Knicks ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
1996 Orlando Magic ranked 12th in the NBA in defense
1997 Washington Bullets ranked 13th in the NBA in defense
1997 Atlanta Hawks ranked 3rd in the NBA in defense
1997 Miami Heat ranked 1st in the NBA in defense
1998 New Jersey Nets ranked 21st in the NBA in defense
1998 Charlotte Hornets ranked 15th in the NBA in defense
1998 Indiana Pacers ranked 5th in the NBA in defense
Jordan faced 17 top 5 defenses in the post-season.
Jordan faced 24 top 10 defenses in the post-season.
Jordan faced on average the 8.35 ranked Defense in the NBA, in the post-season.
Let's see how Jordan faired against these defenses:
Playoffs
Most Playoffs Points Per Game NBA history (min. 25 games)
33.4 by Michael Jordan (179 games)
Most Points in a Playoff Game
63 by Michael Jordan
Most 50 Point Playoff Games
8 by Michael Jordan
Most 40 Point Playoff Games
38 by Michael Jordan
Most 30 Point Playoff Games
109 by Michael Jordan
Most 20 Point Playoff Games
174 by Michael Jordan (he played 179 playoff games and scored under 20 only 5 times)
ALL-TIME HIGHEST SCORING AVERAGES SERIES, NBA PLAYOFFS
Jerry West, LAL vs BAL, 1965..... 46.3
Michael Jordan, CHI vs CLE, 1988..... 45.2 (Cleveland ranked 5th in the NBA in defense that season)
Finally, let's get rid of this myth that Michael Jordan faced "short white guys every night".....with the following information:
Top 50 perimeter defenders to face Michael Jordan
(not in order, this is not a countdown)
Grant Hill - Height 6'8"
Sean Elliott - Height 6'8"
Robert Reid - Height 6'8"
Jerry Reynolds - Height 6'8"
Walt Williams - Height 6'8"
Malik Sealy - Height 6'8"
Shawn Marion - Height 6'7"
Bruce Bowen - Height 6'7"
Lionel Simmons - Height 6'7"
Calbert Cheaney - Height 6'7"
Penny Hardaway - Height 6'7"
Bryon Russell - Height 6'7"
Clyde Drexler - Height 6'7"
Reggie Miller - Height 6'7"
Purvis Short - Height 6'7"
Tony Campbell - Height 6'7"
Dale Ellis - Height 6'7"
Steve Smith - Height 6'7"
Reggie Theus - Height 6'7"
Glen Rice - Height 6'7"
Alex English - Height 6'7"
Reggie Williams - Height 6'7"
Dominique Wilkins - Height 6'7"
Nick Anderson - Height 6'6"
Gerald Wilkins - Height 6'6"
Rolando Blackman - Height 6'6"
Stacey Augmon - Height 6'6"
Doug Christie - Height 6'6"
Craig Ehlo - Height 6'6''
Ron Harper - Height 6'6"
Chris Mullin - Height 6'6"
Jim Jackson - Height 6'6"
Kobe Bryant - Height 6'6"
Ron Artest - Height 6'6"
Paul Pierce - Height 6'6"
Michael Ray Richardson - Height 6'5"
Mario Ellie - Height 6'5"
Mitch Richmond - Height 6'5"
Michael Cooper - Height 6'5"
Kendall Gill - Height 6'5"
Kerry Kittles - Height 6'5"
Raja Bell - Height 6'5"
Mike Woodson - Height 6'5"
Gary Payton - Height 6'4"
Lester Conner - Height 6'4"
Dennis Johnson - Height 6'4"
Jeff Malone - Height 6'4"
Joe Dumars - Height 6'3"
John Starks - Height 6'3"
Jeff Hornacek - Height 6'3"
HONORABLE MENTION LIST:
Hedo Turkoglu 6'10", Rashard Lewis 6'10", Terry Cummings 6'9", Cliff Robinson 6'9", James Worthy 6'9", Stromile Swift 6'9", Peja Stojakovic 6'9", Zach Randolph 6'9", Larry Bird 6'9", Billy Owens 6'8", LaPhonso Ellis 6'8", Magic Johnson 6'8", Devean George 6'8", Stephen Jackson 6'8", Kiki Vandeweghe 6'8", Antoine Walker 6'8", Kenny Walker 6'8", Eddie Robinson 6'8", Jalen Rose 6'8", Chuck Person 6'8", Donald Royal 6'8", Dennis Scott 6'8", Joe Johnson 6'8", Anthony Bonner 6'8", Tracy McGrady 6'8", Jumaine Jones 6'8", Jamal Mashburn 6'8", Richard Dumas 6'7", Michael Finley 6'7", Rick Fox 6'7", George Gervin 6'7", Richard Jefferson 6'7", Scottie Pippen 6'7", Wally Szczerbiak 6'7", Tracy Murray 6'7", Ron Mercer 6'7", Vince Carter 6'7", Chill Anderson 6'7", Johnny Newman 6'7", Terry Tyler 6'7", Reggie Lewis 6'7", Scott Burrell 6'7", Duane Ferrell 6'7", Anthony Bowie 6'6", Cedric Ceballos 6'6", Ty Corbin 6'6", Mark Aguirre 6'6", Jim Paxson 6'6", Brent Barry 6'6", Mario Bennett 6'6", Walter Bond 6'6", Ricky Davis 6'6'', Shandon Anderson 6'6", Jamal Crawford 6'6" , Julius Erving 6'6", Latrell Sprewell 6'6", Allan Houston 6'6", Pete Myers 6'6", Eddie Jones 6'6", Corey Maggette 6'6'', Dan Majerle 6'6", Anthony Parker 6'6", Brian Shaw 6'6", Wesley Person 6'6", Michael Redd 6'6", Jason Richardson 6'6", Rip Hamilton 6'6", Jerry Stackhouse 6'6", Lucious Harris 6'5", Aaron Mckie 6'5", Harold Miner 6'5", Bonzi Wells 6'5", Bobby Phills 6'5", Trent Tucker 6'5", Terence Stansbury 6'5", DeShawn Stevenson 6'5", Ray Allen 6'5",David Wingate 6'5", Isaiah Rider 6'5", Adrian Dantley 6'5", Hubert Davis 6'5", Kevin Gamble 6'5", Jeff Grayer 6'5", Sarunas Marciulionis 6'5", Voshon Lenard 6'4", Rex Chapman 6'4", Vinny Del Negro 6'4", Danny Ainge 6'4", Jason Kidd 6'4", Jon Barry 6'4", Anthony Peeler 6'4", Cuttino Mobley 6'4", Greg Graham 6'4", Sidney Moncrief 6'3", Gilbert Arenas 6'3", Kenny Smith 6'3", LaBradford Smith 6'3", Jamaal Tinsley 6'3", Sam Cassell 6'3", Baron Davis 6'3", Steve Francis 6'3", Rod Strickland 6'3", Kirk Hinrich 6'3", Byron Scott 6'3", Alvin Robertson 6'3", Hersey Hawkins 6'3", Terry Porter 6'3", Stephon Marbury 6'2", Lindsey Hunter 6'2", Sedale Threatt 6'2", Mark Jackson 6'1", Isiah Thomas 6'1", John Stockton 6'1", Nick Van Exel 6'1", Tim Hardaway 6'0", Allen Iverson 6'0", Mark Price 6'0", David Wesley 6'0",
Top 50 interior defenders to face Michael Jordan
(not in order, this is not a countdown)
Manute Bol 7'6",
Yao Ming 7'6"
Shawn Bradley 7'5"
Rik Smits 7'4",
Ralph Sampson 7'4"
Mark Eaton 7'3"
Dikembe Mutombo 7'2",
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7'2",
Artis Gilmore 7'2",
Greg Ostertag 7'2"
Shaq O'Neal 7'1",
David Robinson 7'1",
Tree Rollins 7'1",
Tyson Chandler 7'1",
Vlade Divac 7'1"
Hakeem Olajuwon 7'0",
Patrick Ewing 7'0",
Benoit Benjamin 7'0",
Tim Duncan 7'0",
James Edwards 7'0",
Robert Parish 7'0"
Kevin Garnett 6'11",
Ervin Johnson Jr 6'11",
Marcus Camby 6'11",
Jermaine O'Neal 6'11",
Andrew Lang 6'11",
Roy Tarpley 6'11",
Bill Laimbeer 6'11",
Hot Rod Williams 6'11"
Alonzo Mourning 6'10",
Moses Malone 6'10",
Larry Nance 6'10",
Tom Gugliotta 6'10",
Theo Ratliff 6'10",
Rick Mahorn 6'10",
Shawn Kemp 6'10",
Danny Manning 6'10",
Clifford Robinson 6'10",
Kevin McHale 6'10"
Antonio McDyess 6'9",
Kenyon Martin 6'9",
Ben Wallace 6'9",
Pervis Ellison 6'9",
Andrei Kirilenko 6'9",
Chris Webber 6'9"
Bo Outlaw 6'8",
Elton Brand 6'8"
Dennis Rodman 6'7",
Jerome Kersey 6'7",
Xavier McDaniel 6'7"
HONORABLE MENTION:
Gheorghe Muresan 7'7", Priest Lauderdale 7'4", Arvydas Sabonis 7'3'', Zydrunas Ilgauskas 7'3", Rich King 7'2", Luc Longley 7'2", Bill Cartwright 7'1", Sam Bowie 7'1", Kevin Duckworth 7'0", William Bedford 7'0", Felton Spencer 7'0", Stanley Roberts 7'0", Rich Kelley 7'0", Kevin Willis 7'0", Brad Daugherty 7'0", Duane Causwell 7'0", Matt Geiger 7'0", Jon Koncak 7'0", Bryant Reeves 7'0", Alton Lister 7'0", Scot Pollard 6'11", Olden Polynice 6'11", Christian Laettner 6'11", Jamaal Magloire 6'11", Brad Lohaus 6'11", Mikki Moore 6'11", Brad Miller 6'11", Melvin Turpin 6'11", Elden Campbell 6'11", Darryl Dawkins 6'11", Stacey King 6'11", Jack Sikma 6'11", Rony Seikaly 6'11", Dale Davis 6'11", Horace Grant 6'10", Mychal Thompson 6'10", Adonal Foyle 6'10", Chris Gatling 6'10", Danny Ferry 6'10", Derrick Coleman 6'10", Terry Mills 6'10", Juwan Howard 6'9", Antoine Carr 6'9", Darius Miles 6'9", Tom Chambers 6'9", Al Harrington 6'9", Antonio Davis 6'9", Armon Gilliam 6'9", Frank Brickowski 6'9", Karl Malone 6'9", Sam Perkins 6'9", Otis Thorpe 6'9", Brian Grant 6'9", Wayman Tisdale 6'9", Harvey Grant 6'8", LaPhonso Ellis 6'8", Antawn Jamison 6'8", Charles Oakley 6'8", Bernard King 6'7", Anthony Mason 6'7", Rodney Rogers 6'7", Glenn Robinson 6'7", Corliss Williamson 6'7", Charles Barkley 6'6", Larry Johnson 6'6", Clarence Weatherspoon 6'6"
NOTE: These are not ALL of the defenders Jordan faced! however, these are merely the defenders who are noteworthy from the Jordan era.
The final nail in the coffin is as follows when it pertains to this myth that young Kobe Bryant fans spread on the internet:
ALL NBA PLAYERS COMBINED, AVERAGE HEIGHT PER NBA PLAYER
YEAR HEIGHT
1985-86 6’ 7.36”
1986-87 6’ 7.62”
1987-88 6’ 7.38”
1988-89 6’ 7.31”
1989-90 6’ 7.09”
1990-91 6’ 7.16”
1991-92 6’ 7.04”
1992-93 6’ 7.06”
1993-94 6’ 7.34”
1994-95 6’ 7.19”
1995-96 6’ 7.27”
1996-97 6’ 7.20”
1997-98 6’ 7.11”
1998-99 6’ 7.10”
1999-00 6’ 7.26”
2000-01 6’ 7.03”
2001-02 6’ 7.26”
2002-03 6’ 7.40”
2003-04 6' 7.31"
2004-05 6' 7.26"
2005-06 6' 7.18"
2006-07 6' 6.93"
2007-08 6' 6.98"ALL-TIME SCORING RECORDS:
1st Place: MJ, 24 scoring records
2nd Place: Wilt, 18 scoring records
3rd Place: Moot
- Highest career scoring average: MJ 30.12
- Highest career playoff scoring average: MJ 33.4
- Highest career Finals scoring average: MJ 33.6 (min. 15 games)
- Highest single season playoff average: MJ 43.7
- Highest single Finals series average: MJ 41.0
- Most Total Points Playoffs: MJ 5987
- Most seasons leading league in scoring: MJ 10
- Most seasons leading league in total points: MJ 11
- Most consecutive seasons leading in scoring: MJ, Wilt tied at 7
- Most 50 point games playoffs: MJ 8
- Most 40 point games playoffs: MJ 38
- Most 30 point games: MJ 563
- Most 30 point games playoffs: MJ 109
- Most consecutive 50 point games playoffs: MJ 2
- Most consecutive 45 point games playoffs: MJ 3
- Most consecutive 40 point games finals: MJ 4
- Most consecutive 30 point games finals: MJ 9
- Most consecutive 20 point games playoffs: MJ 60
- Most consecutive 20 point games finals: MJ 35
- Most consecutive double figures scoring: MJ 866
- Highest scoring game playoffs: MJ 63
- Most points in one half finals: MJ 35
- Oldest to score 50: MJ 51 at age 38
- Oldest to score 40: MJ 43 at age 40
Jordan won 10 scoring titles, 5 he won while making over 50% of his shots, Jordan led the league in steals, Jordan was the best shot blocking guard, Jordan won 14 combined MVP's (3 all star, 5 league, 6 finals). Jordan averaged 33, 6, and 6 in the Finals for his career. Jordan averaged 31.5ppg on 51.5% shooting when he wore a Bulls uniform while leading the league in scoring 10 times. http://hoopsapedia.webs.com/nbahandchecking.htm
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