There's no zone like Michael's. At age 40, MJ's zone was visited less frequently but still, when it happened, there was just nothing like it in the world. With his knee surgically repaired the year before, one only wonders what really might have happened even at this age had it not been for that knee. ESPN thought MJ could have still led the league in scoring if not for the injury and should that have been the case, the Wiz probably would have made the playoffs which would then have opened the door to anything possible.
In this game, MJ wanted to have a little statement for Richard Jefferson right before he retired. In truly MJ-like fashion, he once again summoned up a 60% shooting effort on call. With 7 straight FGs made in the 3rd quarter, MJ reversed Father Time and became the only player in history to break the 40 point barrier at age 40 and 4 days. With a barrage of silky perimeter shooting, MJ dominated from the outside with fades, step-back jumpers and in-your-face shots against Martin, Kidd, Jefferson and whoever.
Which begs the question. If the Wizards had been contenders, would we have seen more efforts like these at age 40? Most likely and more. But regardless, this performance remains unchartered territory for anyone in history and may stand as one of his most unbreakable records.
10 мар 2007
