The Jordan Trade that would have changed the goat debate forever if it went through

[coastalmarker99]

Michael Jordan is arguably the most recognizable name in the history of NBA basketball. A 14-time All-Star, 10-time Scoring Champion and winner of six league titles, Jordan's accolades speak for themselves. If he isn't the greatest to ever play the game, he's No. 2 at the very least.

The LA Clippers, on the other hand, are known for being a historically unsuccessful franchise. In the team's 50-year history, there has never been a championship banner hung in the rafters. Things have turned around for the Clippers in the last decade or so, but before then, the team had only made seven playoff appearances.

In terms of overall achievement, Jordan and the Clippers are complete opposites — though that almost wasn't the case.

In 1988, just four years into Jordan's career, the Bulls were interested in dealing him to the Clippers in exchange for the No. 1 and No. 6 picks in that year's draft, according to The Jordan Rules (h/t Bleacher Report). LA would have thrown in any three additional players as well, with Chicago getting to name its price.

Jordan was already a well-established star by that point. He was named an All-Star in each of his first four seasons and averaged a league-high 35.0 points and 3.2 steals per game during the 1987-1988 regular season, for which he was named League MVP.

Ultimately, the deal fell through, and those two picks became Danny Manning and Hersey Hawkins (who was traded with a future first-round pick for Charles Smith, the third pick in the '88 Draft). Manning was terrific in the six seasons he spent with LA, though he obviously wasn't performing at Jordan's level.

[coastalmarker99]

It's hard to imagine that Jordan would have experienced the same level of success in Los Angeles that he did in Chicago. As great as he was on an individual level, the Bulls won six titles during his tenure partially because Jordan was surrounded by top-tier talent. Given Donald Sterling and the Clippers' front office's incompetence, there's a good chance that he only would have been in Los Angeles for a few seasons before he then demanded to be traded.

That said, it's interesting to think about how things would be different for both Jordan and the other players of that era had the deal gone through.

[TheCorporation]

No Pip, no chip.

Jordan would have been relegated to Allen Iverson status if that happened.

[TheMan]

No Pip, no chip.

Jordan would have been relegated to Allen Iverson status if that happened.

Maybe, maybe not but MJ only needed one sidekick to dominate the league.

No Wade, Bosh, Allen, KI, Love, AD = no chip

[TheCorporation]

Maybe, maybe not but MJ only needed one sidekick to dominate the league.

No Wade, Bosh, Allen, KI, Love, AD = no chip

Correction: He needed perfect conditions to win, otherwise he failed miserably.

He needed Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen for every single ring. Without them he couldn't even get out of the 1st round.

LeBron won with everyone.

MJ needed Pippen and Jackson.
LeBron just needed the ball.

[getting_old]

Maybe, maybe not but MJ only needed one sidekick to dominate the league.

No Wade, Bosh, Allen, KI, Love, AD = no chip


He waited impatiently to dominate, he was very fortunate that Bird and Magic ended their careers way too soon, and then waited for the Bad Boys to collapse after 3 years owning the East.

[TheMan]

He waited impatiently to dominate, he was very fortunate that Bird and Magic ended their careers way too soon, and then waited for the Bad Boys to collapse after 3 years owning the East.

He crushed Magic in '91, one year after Magic won the MVP...the Pistons core players, Thomas, Dumars and Rodman were 30 years or younger. MJ won his last chip at 35 so I wouldn't call 30 years old ancient.

Pretty dumb logic faulting MJ for being younger than Bird, Magic and IT too, don't ya think?

[bullettooth]

No Pip, no chip.

Jordan would have been relegated to Allen Iverson status if that happened.

https://allhailtheblackmarket.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/warped.gif

[TheMan]

Correction: He needed perfect conditions to win, otherwise he failed miserably.

He needed Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen for every single ring. Without them he couldn't even get out of the 1st round.

LeBron won with everyone.

MJ needed Pippen and Jackson.
LeBron just needed the ball.

If LeBron only needed a ball to win, he would've won a chip in his first stint with Cleveland before having to get out there and collude with top NBA talent lol

[Spurs m8]

There isn't even a GOAT debate though lol

[3ball]

Correction: He needed perfect conditions to win, otherwise he failed miserably.

He needed Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen for every single ring. Without them he couldn't even get out of the 1st round.

LeBron won with everyone.

MJ needed Pippen and Jackson.
LeBron just needed the ball.


It isn't optimal to double your sidekicks playoff scoring average, while assisting 33% more often and getting more DPOY votes every year - it's literally the biggest load anyone has ever carried.

It's the opposite of optimal, but Jordan's goat performance and burden (mentioned above) made it work

Ultimately, Jordan proved that his unprecedented method of winning (scoring champ carry-jobs) was infact the most dominant way to win (6/6)

[bullettooth]

If LeBron only needed a ball to win, he would've won a chip in his first stint with Cleveland before having to get out there and collude with top NBA talent lol

https://i.postimg.cc/3Jy0MHfG/lebron-carried-not-given.jpg

[RogueBorg]

If LeBron only needed a ball to win, he would've won a chip in his first stint with Cleveland before having to get out there and collude with top NBA talent lol

Exactly, he also wouldn't have 6 Finals losses.

[Shooter]

Correction: Jordan needed perfect conditions to win, otherwise he failed miserably.

He needed Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen for every single ring. Without them he couldn't even get out of the 1st round.

LeBron won with everyone.

MJ needed Pippen and Jackson.
LeBron just needed the ball.

Bingo

[SouBeachTalents]

Is the Bleacher Report guy the only source? I just can't fathom the Bulls trading away a player as great and as marketable as Jordan at only 24/25 years old

[Shooter]

Is the Bleacher Report guy the only source? I just can't fathom the Bulls trading away a player as great and as marketable as Jordan at only 24/25 years old

+1

[MadDog]

Jordan would've won anywhere. All he "needed" was another All-League player beside him. Once MJ got one, he never lost in a full season again.

[Shooter]

Jordan would've won anywhere. All he "needed" was another All-League player beside him. Once MJ got one, he never lost in a full season again.

He needed Jackson and Pippen for any success. Any other conditions and he folded like a chair.

[Chick Stern]

There isn't even a GOAT debate though lol
Correct

It’s Kareem

[Chick Stern]

It's hard to imagine that Jordan would have experienced the same level of success in Los Angeles that he did in Chicago. As great as he was on an individual level, the Bulls won six titles during his tenure partially because Jordan was surrounded by top-tier talent. Given Donald Sterling and the Clippers' front office's incompetence, there's a good chance that he only would have been in Los Angeles for a few seasons before he then demanded to be traded.

That said, it's interesting to think about how things would be different for both Jordan and the other players of that era had the deal gone through.
There is no way.
The weak expansion era primarily affected the East.

[Axe]

There was no reason to hop into other teams if the one that drafted him ultimately turned into a formidable one after several years.

[kawhileonard2]

He needed Jackson and Pippen for any success. Any other conditions and he folded like a chair.

Phil wasn't even a coach in the NBA so he was no good. Pippen was a role player before joining Jordan. Put the crack pipe down.