For me his finals series in 93 averaging 41 is still the most impressive. Especially considering he had Dan Majerle guarding him who outside MJ himself was the best defender at the sg position that season.
As for a single game, I would have to go with his final game in Chicago. Carrying that team with his best teammate being a hobbled Pippen, scoring 45 of his teams 87 points to win his 6th chip, the final sequence being the greatest sequence in NBA history in my opinion.
What separates MJ from everyone else is how he fused his tremendous physical gifts with the efficiency he was taught at North Carolina by Coach Dean Smith. No wasted motion. No excess dribbling. The thing about the truly great players is, sometimes they beat you with the jab. If MJ had the fadeaway going, you got that all night. No need to play around with anything else. He was so great because he distilled the game down to simple terms...take high quality shots, play at 100%, and limit mistakes. No one has done it better.
He average more assists in the playoffs than regular season over his career... . He's also a top 5 all time perimeter defender by accolades alone@@Stimulation334he was always playing full tilt on both ends.
This video is a great example of why Jonny's my favorite NBA RU-vidr. He took the time to make an in depth video about a non-Finals series which hardly anyone talks about from 34 YEARS ago. He does his own research and uses objective analyses combined with common sense, and doesn't get swayed by conventional wisdom and what is currently trending with NBA fans. If you want Click Bait and idiotic "Hot Takes", you can (sadly) find those all over RU-vid. If you're a genuine fan of basketball who respects the game and wants to learn more about it, with a lot of important context, come here. Thanks again--great vid.
A big portion of basketball fans tend to overlook non-Finals series in this kind of context. It's weird, because it's quite commonly acknowledged that there are periods where one conference is superior to another, but it seems much more rare to suggest that a conference series may be the toughest test/most important performance of a title run.
One MJ series that deserves mention: 1988 first round vs the Cavs: 45.2 points per game on I believe 63% true shooting, and was his team’s leader in steals and blocked shots. A look through NBA history will reveal a lot of excellent playoff series statlines that aren’t talked about because they didn’t occur in the finals. There’s plenty, but another I’ll shout out is Magic Johnson, who averaged a triple double in the 1983 western conference finals vs San Antonio.
My favorite MJ performance is probably his 55 points against the Bullets in the 1997 playoffs. It is the greatest mid-range performance I've ever seen and it's not even close. He puts on a literal clinic. There are a couple flashes of young MJ brilliance, but it's mostly just 34 year old MJ absolutely schooling every player sent against him on defense. Calbert Cheaney unfortunately took the brunt of that lesson. But seriously, it was the greatest mid-range performance ever seen, and besides that with 55 points it's one of the greatest scoring games in NBA playoff history.
I grew up in Philly and remember that season and series. Philly had their best team in years. They won the Atlantic and played well against the Pistons all season (it's the one where Barkley had his infamous fight with Laimbeer from what I remember). In fact, I felt like they played the Pistons better than the Bulls did, and remember thinking if they got past the Bulls, they had a great chance of beating Detroit (the defending NBA champs). Alas, it was not to be. I remember Jordan had a great series, but after watching your vid, I didn't know he was THAT good. Barkley was great that year also, but Jordan just had another level even the other greats couldn't reach. Even though I rooted for Philly, deep down, I just always felt the Bulls were too good, especially in the playoffs. Thanks for this vid. You definitely brought back memories--late 80s early 90s basketball was tremendous, with lots of great players, and great rivalries/series.
I have been waiting decades for someone to cover game 3 of this series. I have this game on VHS. I'll never forget that night. Jordan went ballistic in the fourth quarter. I remember sitting in my bedroom watching the game and utter disbelief.
Great video, unfortunately ppl tend to look mainly at the finals series or series against the pistons but some of his greatest performances dont get much attention. He was just on another level 🤯🐐
At last, someone who can actually point out when and how Michael Jeffrey Jordan minted greatness instead of regurgitating the cartoonish legend of "Invincible Iron Jordan, GOAT by essence". Many thanks, mister.
Awesome video, Jonny! I don't think I have heard much about this series, so it was cool getting to learn a lot from your video. MJ is amazing, and I am not surprised that Mahorn's actions only made him more motivated. Great work again. Have a great day! 😊
Thank you so much Johnny-A-->for finding this gem and continuing to show the Greatness of Michael Jordan-{The #23}-....how he always seemed to lift his game in the Playoffs; incredibly every year...after showing he was the best in the League thru-82 game seasons.....it was so great, he was so great, his points from 1st thru 4th qtrs, and the occasional OT's they had to play, That we/so many got "spoiled"; on how awesome these feats were...What he did in those games in that era probably seem like video game stats to those born in the last 20-25yrs! The fact that so many rising -{2-way}-stars are compared to him a quarter Century later is continued testament to the indelible footprints he left on the game.... He is so classy, he doesn't defend himself, he could easily come out like the Meme they show of him looking at a "tablet and Laughing"; usually after some ridiculous comment/video/depiction of some GOAT wannabe...who when you look closer at their career the smaller, cheaper, and "Fakier" they "LeBecome"....Arnett..well done Sir!
I hate it when they compare anyone to MJ. It’s disrespectful and videos like this prove it. He was like Babe Ruth or Willie Mays or Pele. An athlete that comes along once in a generation or a lifetime and revolutionizes a sport. There’s Michael and then they’re the rest.
Thanks, Jonny, for the in-depth look at this run. It's absolutely brilliant👌🏽. This is Jordan at his fearless best, just elevating his game beyond anyone else's standards to close the series out. Nobody in this world has a game quite like it, in my opinion. Nobody!
@@Tyrannosaurus_STFU_III Why isn't it great? Imo there's a different interesting area in every era. Isolation scoring was at it's peak in the 00's, 90's featured arguably the best player ever and tons of dominant post-centric bigs, 80's had 2 superteams who played beautiful games. In the current game, we have more skilled players than ever before (Not that players got more skilled but skill-less guys who mostly defend and rebound can't survive anymore, IE Andre Roberson), as a result we have more spacing than ever before, and team defense very innovative (You'd never see something like a box-and-one or 10 PnR coverages in the 90's, partly thanks to illegal defense and iso-heavy offense). The game certainly allows more travelling/carrying than ever before, but it's statistically untrue that the game has allowed less physicality (There has never been a month with as less foul calls per game as March 2024). Modern Basketball isn't old-school basketball, and if you like the way old-school basketball played with a packed paint of rebounders and defenders, that's fine. But to say modern NBA isn't great is just as ignorant as "We done with the 90's". The game is more than chucking up 3s than you think -- especially on teams with great coaches, such as the Heat with Spo, Warriors with Kerr, Spurs with Pop or even OKC with Mark Daigneault
@@Time_Lapse_Master. NIce points Sir, I'd like to interject that defense and Rebounding guys are still needed and can be of great use even in todays NBA.....The NBA-Commisioner has had a wrong idea that more offense enhanced by making it harder to play defense and the calling of phantom fouls, accelerated Flopping has led to lower viewership ratings...The NBA was at its height when there was a "Struggle" to obtain greatness and success..."Heroes" in the League could count on thier favorite players, playing the Majority if not all of thier Careers in one place, location, one team.... It's why Dirk Nowitzki's one title with Dallas; is looked upon more respect; Isiah Thomas' two; Larry Birds-3; with more reverence than the 4-LeFake and 2-KD have gotten as the Paid-Mercenaries of Basketball... I could say more But When Magic who has -{5-for-9}-enters the Lakers arena he's though of higher that LeFlop; Kobe-{5=for-7} is revered more then LeCheat; MJ-{6 for 6}-made Chicago the NBA's Most recent version of Titletown USA in the 90's.....made that city the place to be and the team to see... 🙂
OP is talking about modern basketball ignorance, which is true. Modern fans have forgotten or never knew about what happened before, so they are ignorant.
great video as always you are a great storyteller, you make the moment and video come to life. can you do a video on jordan's game winning buzzer beaters thru out his career. I think you do it some real justice and bring these lost moments to life
I love your videos, Johnny. Not a bad one in the bunch that I've saw, to be fair I haven't by far saw them all. But I've saw a lot an they've all been good.
I think his most amazing moment was when his shot was blocked (and he thought he was fouled) and IMMEDIATELY went and blocked the opponent's shot AS A WIZARD. Unfortunately, I didn't see it live, but on Sports center highlights; I was so shocked that I waited for a replay of that Sports Center episode, recorded it, and played it over and over and over and over...
Barkley's ability to rise quickly with his short height (for a PF) and massive frame... it's always been incredibly impressive. Even at the end in his mid-late 30s he could get a rebound and go right back up and dunk it in traffic with no drop-step.
Good suggestion. However, it wouldn't do any good. They look at LeBron with lovey-dovey eyes and disregard any truth that might detract them from their "queen". If I didn't know any better, Shannon, Nick and few other media (so-called) giants are in love with LeBron. Why? Is beyond me. There's never been a more overrated and narcissistic player who is quick to blame everybody else when things don't go his way.
Are you telling me someone can put out Goatlike performances without ending up with the championship?! Some old heads made it seem like that was impossible. Keep up the great content, you are the Goat Jonny!
MJ had a 35.4 GameScore for this series, but he played even better in the 92' Playoffs against the Heat (albeit in only 3 games) with 38.4 GameScore. I can't find another top player with such a great performance as these two (at least, in the modern era where blocks, steals and turnovers were calculated).
1990 was actually Jordan at his peak. He gained muscle after losing to the Pistons twice in a row, but was still explosive as in his early years. He was incredibly efficient and finally developed a reliable 3 point shot. In 1991 season he suffered an injury and he was visibly never as athletic as in the 80s. He still had great highlights and was still super athletic but not AS much as before. He also gained even more muscle and became a more midrange shooter than a slasher. He was still very efficient but not as explosive. Even Thinking Basketball noted this when they were analyzing Jordan's peak. 1990 was his peak, it's just a shame the team wasn't good enough to defeat the Pistons just yet. Pippen was an All-Star that season, but just barely, and Grant wasn't there just yet either. The next year both Pippen and Grant made another leap and that's what allowed Jordan to get over the hump. Although, I'm sure if they won that 7th game, maybe if Pippen was fully available for that game, they would have beaten the Blazers in the Finals that year.
i'd still say his series vs the Suns in the Finals was his best playoff series ever. 41, 8, & 6 against Barkley and that stacked Suns roster, in the Finals no less, was insane.
The most impressive moment in Jordan's career was after he lost to the Magic in the '95 playoffs. He was so determined and motivated in 95-96 season. He was incredible that year and was on a mission.
Could you imagine LeBron getting smacked like that? He would be rolling and crying for his momma. Then he would get up and argue with the refs why he didn't get the call, all while the opposing team is on their end of the floor scoring at will.
I know I had to have watched that series but I don't specifically remember it but yeah, that was incredible and they beat them in game 4 on the road even without Pippen. It's almost impossible to pick one playoff series that you could say was Jordan's best but this one is up there.
you wouldnt see MJ crying ,flopping despite those hard contacts while in the air..players today would probably take 5mins before standing up with those fouls but MJs different that is the motivation that he needed to unleash the beast in him..literally became umstoppable after those mahorns hard foul.
I like your videos. Can you make later a video of the best players of all time ranking from 120 to 75? Just ur opinion, cuz I'm somewhat new to basketball, didn't grow up watching it, so I guess there are a lot of players who did really good and were well known at some time but slowly they got forgotten, like Rasheed, Billups, O'neal, (etc). Besides that I'm noticing that NBA today is much better in terms of talent and technicalities in the attacking positions, skills (etc.).. I'm really interested to know how it will affect in your arguments. And thank you !!
I’ll quote Larry Bird when asked about MJ after he dropped 63 in Boston in a double OT loss, “That was GOD disguised as Michael Jordan”. They would go on to get swept. Tbf the year was 1986, and he was facing probably the greatest Celtics team of all time. This was after game 1, where MJ damn near dropped 50 (49 in Boston). This is his best INDIVIDUAL playoff series EVER imo, which is what seems like is being discussed in the video. Yes even though they lost and got swept.
Jordan had many unbelievable playoff series, this was one of them. He could have averaged even more in the first round against the Bucks. The only games of that series they were actually competitive, Jordan had 36 and 48 points. Game 4 was a blowout and he played on limited minutes. And that was against Alvin Robertson and Paul Pressey. 1989-1993 Jordan was on another level, on both ends. But, I'd say the best series I've watched from him were: 1986 vs Celtics,1988 vs Cavs, 1989 vs Cavs, 1989 vs Knicks, 1989 vs Pistons, 1990 vs Bucks, 1990 vs 76ers, 1990 vs Pistons, 1991 vs Pistons, 1991 vs Lakers, 1992 vs Heat, 1992 vs Blazers, 1993 vs Hawks, 1993 vs Suns, 1996 vs Knicks, 1997 vs Bullets, 1997 vs Jazz, 1998 vs Pacers and 1998 vs Jazz. I don't think he ever had a bad playoff series, but in these, he displayed dominance on both ends and seemed unstopabble.
Nice, I'll have to watch that series now. To be fair there are too many fantastic MJ performances through playoffs to pick the best. I still think 1993 Finals performance is one of the greatest. And if you pick a single game, again, that man had so many of them it is not even funny
Completely different storyline and circumstances but 1992 R1 vs Heat is so crazy enjoyable. Slam after slam it tight games where everybody knew the Bulls would win.
The guy always wanna win mentality regardless of help or the physicality of the game, no complain but just keep on playing and wanna win spirit. That right there is the one thing LBJ is lacking. I think he'd be better than right now he is being labeled as a clown.
this is why I hats old heads that talk bout the 90s. Nothing against Jordan or other guys. But saying"defense" was crazy back then when mhalf of it was just fouling or trying to hurt your opponent because u can't stop them isn't defense. But ion know I'm 20
I’m 34, but I think that’s totally fair. No one wants to see their favorite player getting hurt. For me, I think the balance between the finesse and the physical was perfect in the 2000s.
Because so much time has passed, a 34 year old thinks he's old. The 90s were trash and it's the reason the league is worst today. That 76ers team was garbage.
2:09 Two teammates averaging upwards of 3 steals a game is incredibly insane Really tough to argue against this case outside of his Finals performances. Totally worth watching in its entirety!
They try to compae all those new school players to him and NONE of them comes close. It's especially evident ones the games get more physical. There are some instances were refs allow for old school defensive tactics to happen and then you can see what happens. Just watch how Durant folded in round 1 vs the Celtics.
I’ve noticed all these videos about the nbas past. Most of them are comparing the current guys with the old guys. I’m not really seeing as much of this with the NFL or MLB and I think it’s because the current product of football and baseball are still good. The NBA is unwatchable right now.