Can Michael Jordan score 100 in today's era?

This is entirely a reaction to a blogpost I read some days before. It doubts the authenticity of a claim made by Michael that he could achieve 100 points in this era (How has the game changed from your playing days? It's less physical and the rules have changed, obviously. 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). True enough 100 points captures the imagination of many as something that can't be surpassed but is it possible for Jordan to get the mark?

First let me give you some facts before we go to the fictional phase of this entry. In the 80's (1980-1990), considered the best and most brutal decade in basketball, only five times did an individual crack the 60 point mark and that happened in:

1. December 25, 1984. Bernard King scored 60 vs. the New Jersey Nets
2. March 12, 1985. Larry Bird scored 60 vs. the Atlanta Hawks
3. March 4, 1987. Michael Jordan scored 61 vs. the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons. Doing it without attempting a 3-pointer. OT
4. April 20, 1986. Michael Jordan scored 63 vs. the Boston Celtics. 2OT This is the game when Larry Bird mouthed the now famous quotable quote "god disguised as Michael Jordan". Again doing it without attempting a 3-pointer. It still stands as the highest ever play-off mark.
5. March 28, 1990. Michael Jordan scored 69 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in OT. Cavs were led by Hot Rod Williams, Brad Daugherty, Ron Harper, Larry Nance and Mark Price. Other notable players were Craig Ehlo, Chucky Brown and Steve Kerr.

Out of the 5 stated above 3 of them were scored by Michael Jordan. You also have to note that in 1987 Detroit went straight into the finals carrying their brand of "dirty" defense and the 1986 Celtics were eventual NBA champions. So Jordan was pouring it on vs. the heavyweights but on the hindsight we also have to note that Jordan did it in overtime games.

Now let's compare it to the 100 point game. Kelly Dwyer reports:

"Wilt was a 7-2 dominant force going up against a 6-10 backup center on the New York Knicks back in 1962. He was able to put up 63 shots and attempt 32 free throws mainly because the pace was so, so much faster back in that era, and because his Philadelphia Warriors team was intentionally fouling the Knicks down the stretch in order to get Wilt the ball every time down court in a contest that was a 16-point game at the end of the first quarter. It was an absolute joke of a "contest," and though Wilt is to be commended for his brilliance, there's a reason why nobody has come very close in the 48 years since Wilt's 100-point game."

If that is the case and knowing how Jordan put up his best numbers can he get 100?

My answer is maybe, maybe not.

But it is also intriguing to note that Jordan at age 40 did get 43 points and mind you he did that in February 21, 2003. Meaning he put up that numbers against players that still plays up to this point. On top of that he did it with hand-checks still warranted in the NBA.

Implemented in 2006 the NBA softened it's stance on defense to give way to a more offensive minded, fun game. As Mike notes: "It's less physical and the rules have changed, obviously." Jordan compatriots cry of the same:

"You can't even touch a guy now," says Charlotte coach Larry Brown. "The college game is much more physical than our game. I always tease Michael [Jordan], if he played today, he'd average 50."

"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, Dumars first laughed, “It would have been virtually impossible to defend Michael Jordan based on the way the game’s being called right now.”

Rod Thorn: “My opinion is that the game had gone too much toward favoring strong players over skilled players, The NBA felt there was too much body, too much hand-checking, being used by defenders to the detriment of the game. There was a feeling that there was too much advantage for a defensive player who could merely use his strength to control the offensive player. If the refs perceive that a defender is bumping the cutter, or bumping a ball-handler, then they’ll blow their whistles.”

So today's NBA does favor Michael Jordan in terms of rules. Jordan a natural slasher/cutter type of player will benefit from calls and even more since with the restriction of the hand-check rules the NBA also implemented the defensive three second. So even though the NBA now sanctions the zone as an alternative defense few chooses it because the "Zone" is maximized if a defending big man can stay downlow on an indefinite amount of time. Take that out and there's nothing to it they'll just retort to man-to-man which again is hampered by the no hand-check rule.

And blowing their whistles is what the refs did. Did you know that: 82% of Tyreke Evans's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 75% of Dwyane Wade's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 71% of Carmelo Anthony's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 70% of Kevin Durant's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 68% of LeBron James's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 68% of Derrick Rose's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? 66% of Kobe Bryant's points came from inside of 15 feet and free throws combined? Michael Jordan has been known to be automatic from 18 ft. inwards. If the players stated above can move accurately near the basket even as close as 15 ft. why can't Jordan as he can easily match each guy's athleticism? Given these results I think the "airman" can get as close to 100 points as he benefits a lot from these rules.

Again the catch is Mike should be in the zone to accomplish the feat. What's being in the zone? Players tried explaining it like it's a once in a life-time (maybe twice? thrice?) experience, when the stars are aligned and you feel unstoppable at whatever it is your doing. Like when rain continuously pours like it's not ever stopping. 100 points is a long feat and that is why nobody has ever came close to breaking it in 48 years. Again this is a supposition but if there is one man that can do it... benefiting from these present NBA rules it's Michael Jordan.

Thanks (sources):
Photo: from Web
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_players_with_60_or_more_points_in_a_game
http://hoopsapedia.webs.com/thenbazoneera.htm
http://hoopshype.com/articles/defense_lazenby.htm

Greatest NBA Players (in my opinion) Part 1

If you have been checking my thread you should have read some anecdotes about my educational background. I think it's time to introduce a new leaf. This blog is put up by me to give certain views on certain things and I hope you would continue reading this slot.

First up, being a NBA fan for almost half of my life I want to share my thoughts on the greatest player debacle, you know everybody seem to put up Jordan, Wilt, Bill or someone else's name without really knowing the background of these guys. Some kids even suggest Kobe is the best ever (Well that's mostly coming from kids I answer back in Yahoo! Answers) to play the game without checking the fore-runners of the sport.

I'm basing my ranking on the number of championships won, NBA MVPs, and all-time stats:
10. Shaquille O'Neal - The Shaqster has been around since 1992, and since his debut have been regarded the most dominating figure of the sport since Wilt the Stilt's time. In only his third season, Shaq would lead his Orlando Magic team to the Atlantic title with the record of 57-25. It was the same season where they went past the comebacking Jordan's Bulls in the 2nd round of the play-offs. Shaq would again power his Magic past the Pacers therefore meeting the victor of the Spurs-Rockets series which turned out to be Hakeem Olajuwon's team, the Rockets. Shaq averaged 28 points on 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists during his first finals stint despite being swept by the battle scarred Houston team.

In 1996, as a free agent, Shaq ditched Orlando for Hollywood where he would eventually team up with the young Kobe Bryant. The duo would lead the Lakers to three straight championships and four finals appearance in all (and winning all three Finals MVP award). It was also during this time that Shaq received his first and only MVP award (so far) in the 1999-2000 season. After being traded by the Lakers to Miami, it would take Shaq only two years (teaming up with Dwyane Wade) to give Miami it's first gold since joining the league in 1989 (same year as Orlando's) leaving his championship count to four. Shaq also had a good stint with Phoenix last season (2008-2009)after raking lots of valuable stats allowing him to climb the all-time scoring list with 27,619 career points (5th all-time). Shaq is still viewed as valuable asset nowadays as the Cavs made a pitch for him this summer to team up with another great NBA star of today in LeBron James.

For Shaq's complete stats click here.

9. Kobe Bryant - A lot of my Yahoo! Answers friends would raise an eyebrow if they read this. They know I am an avid Bryant critic, maybe criticized the guy in every aspect I can but last year Kobe gave me some reason to make a case for me I mean he has really transformed. So give credit where it's due. This Jordan Air apparent (probably the closest we have to his airness himself) was a High School phenom way back in 1996 allowing the then Charlotte Hornets to draft him as their 13th overall pick. Jerry West just have that amazing foresight that the Lakers following the acquisition of Shaquille O Neal, traded their long time center Vlade Divac for this youngster. He had a great rookie season, despite the dismal shooting he displayed against Utah that year (three air balls that spelled doom for the guys in yellow). The following season this guy was voted as the youngest all-star ever. Sadly they came up short again against Utah... the same disappointing spell haunted them in 1999 against Portland. As stated above Kobe together with Shaquille O' Neal would dominate from 200-2002. After years of feuding with Shaquille O' Neal about the star status of the team, the Lakers sided with Bryant and traded away the big fellow in 2005.

With the spotlight firmly focused on him Bryant would amass jaw dropping numbers. In 2004-2005 he averaged: 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists a contest, the following year he'd take it yet another notch higher with 35.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Memorable game to note is when he hit 81 points in one contest against Toronto, the mark is the second highest in NBA history. Though with all the accomplishments his team won't get past the first round until the 2007-2008 season where he would win his first MVP award altogether. 2009 is the most significant year of his career though as he would rally the Lakers to get past Orlando for the NBA crown, the first of his career without Shaq. Currently ranked number 17th on the all-time scoring list with 23,820 points, He's very much still at the top of his game owing to his tremendous work ethic and summer exercises during the off season, Bryant is still very much on the hunt for the NBA title which could push him higher in the rankings.

For Kobe's complete stats click here.

8. Tim Duncan - the guy is maybe one of the most underrated player in history, the guy who looks so unassumingly yet has the whole team on his back to carry. It was well known that before Tim Duncan the Spurs could only dream about landing in the NBA Finals... Never in their history were they perennial play-off contenders than in Duncan's time.

Tim Duncan was the first pick of the 1997 draft by the San Antonio Spurs, after a dismal 20–62 showing the previous season. Tim would team up with "the Admiral" David Robinson to form one of the most devastating front court in NBA history. Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers", having earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket, forcing opponents to take lower percentage shots from outside. In his rookie season alone Duncan would average 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game and helping the Spurs gain a play-off spot as the 5th seed and before losing out to Utah in the second round of that edition of the play-offs.

During the lock-out shortened 1998-99 season, Duncan's 2nd season, The Spurs claimed their first NBA title with Tim Duncan contributing 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 blocks per outing during the season, and after that title other titles followed in 2003, 2005, 2009.Tim Duncan is one of the ultimate team players in history, a player that didn't possess any superstar complex and who would gladly be relegated to the second or third option "as long as the team wins" as the passe saying goes. Tim is still on the hunt for his fifth NBA title together with Shaq and Kobe... And with the fiercest battles lingering expect so much from this guy.

For Tim Duncan's full stats click here.

7. Oscar Robertson - The original Big guard. The big O as NBA regulars fondly calls him was drafted as a *territorial pick by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960.

NOTE: In the early years, the NBA was trying to build fan support in its local markets. Having popular players from colleges in a team's local area was a way to increase fan support. To help the teams acquire local players, the territorial pick rule was introduced. Before the draft, a team could forfeit its first round draft pick and then select any player from within a 50-mile radius of its home arena.

As a rookie Oscar managed to muster not so amazing numbers of 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists, for that earning the NBA rookie of the year and an All-NBA first team selection -the first of a 9 year run. However, the Royals finished with a dismal 33–46 record and stayed in the cellar of the Western Division. The following season Oscar would deliver the only thing that he and only he can accomplish: a triple double season averaging 30.8 points, 11.4 assists and 12.5 rebounds per game. The Royals earned a play-offs berth however, they were eliminated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. Play-off frustration would go on and on in Oscar's career until he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 1970-71 season and teaming up with the young and versatile Lew Alcindor AKA Kareem Abdul Jabbar the newly formed duo piled up the wins to an impressive 66-16 record and setting a then NBA record 20 straight wins. Capping this spectacular performance, the Big O and Lew would capture the NBA crown at the end of the season. The duo would add two more division titles with the Bucks (1971-72 and 1972-73).

In Robertson's last season, he helped lead Milwaukee to a league-best 59–23 record and helped them to reach the 1974 Finals. There, Robertson had the chance to end his stellar career with a second ring. The Bucks were matched up against the Boston Celtics, but powered by an inspired Dave Cowens, the Bucks lost in seven games.

As testimony to Oscar's importance, the Bucks would fall to 38-44 following his retirement despite the overall brilliance of Kareem.

To view Oscar Robertson's career stats please click here.

6. Wilt Chamberlain - when God gave man unbelievable abilities Wilt must have caught hundreds of those abilities. Wilt set numerous records in scoring, rebounding, field goals, and once led the league in assists. The Big Dipper is one of the only two players to win the MVP and rookie of the year in the same year doing it in 1960 (the other was Wes Unseld in 1969).

In Wilt's very first NBA game he made his presence felt as quickly as he have arrived: 43 points and 28 rebounds. His rookie season would end with Chamberlain averaging 37.6 points and 27 rebounds, convincingly breaking old NBA records set by his contemporaries. Wilt would set this NBA records for himself: 100 points game, 55 rebounds game, only man to average 50 and 40 points seasons, averaged 48.5 minutes a game set in the 1961-62 season. He was also responsible for several rule changes, including widening the lane, shooting free throws. Wilt because of his poor free throw shooting would leap from the foul line and dunk it on the rim, the NBA banned the gesture. Wilt holds the record for most free-throws missed in a single season at 578 in the 1967–68 season, as well as the second most at 528 in the 1961–62 season.

Wilt was a total athlete, Wilt would make volleyball his second sport after retirement from the NBA. As a testament to his importance, the IVA All-Star game was only televised because Chamberlain also played in it: he rose to the challenge and was named the game's MVP. Chamberlain had promoted the sport so effectively that he was named to the Volleyball Hall of Fame: he became one of the few athletes who were enshrined in different sports.

Wilt is the only known player to have been courted to playing despite aging 45 years old, even had offers when he was 50... He was that good.

For the amazing feats he was able to amass, Wilt can only show 2 rings at his fingers, the two coming when he was averaging in the low 20's and was distributing the ball, clearly showing that individual feats alone doesn't guarantee championships but teamwork does.

To check out Wilt's career stats, click here.


Feel free to comment, or give you opinions regarding this article.






Sources: NBA.com, Wikipedia and some self knowledge. Special thanks to basketball-reference.com for the stats. :D