Could Michael Jordan score 40 ppg in this era?

[LeFraud James]

Except the zone defense which would force him to pass.

You realize he played in an era of illegal defense, so it was hard to double team him. It's super easy now. Just have someone floating over toward him at all times.

His assists would probably climb (but not by much, that pressure usually makes the second pass the one that hits the most open man), but his scoring wouldn't be any higher.

Very well composed post.

[bingo123]

I'm confused, because how did players like Iverson rather than declining as an older player averaged 30ppg, 4 point ppg more than the previous year, and 33ppg the following year, after the rule changes. Shouldn't the opposite be happening? And Nash suddenly shooting over 50% for the 1st time ever, and every year after. And many other superstars suddenly scoring more points per game than the previous year. Not to mention that the NBA stated that the reasons for the rule changes was to have guards scoring more. And how old are you. I usually only hear that there was no double teaming in the 90s on youtube, and when I check their profile they are always under 20 years old.

Is Iverson not a great scorer? He also avereged 31 ppg in 2001. Why didnt Kobes fg% increase if thats the case? The thing is Jordan was smart enough, that he knew he has to involve his teamates in the game to win the game. Some of you are acting like he would take 30 or more fgs per game. He would still avarage 23-24 fgs per game. Its almost impossible to get 40 ppg on that, unless you are claiming he would shot at 63-65% (which is impossible for SG at this rate).
And i will be 31 in november.

[quick96]

Thanks for the Joke of the Day... HA!

The dude would barely crack the 15ppg mark in this era!

Guys like Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Ray Allen would eat him

up.

[Batz]

If Tony Allen can't, nor can he.

[atljonesbro]

WAT 40 PPG THT IZ JUS AVERAGE FER ANY 80s 90s PLAYER IN TODAYZ LEAGUE LOLOLOL. MJ WUD AVG 73.8 PPG LOL NUBZ.

Put him on a very bad team where he gets the large majority of touches yeah, but so could LeBron, Kobe, Durant, ect. Seriously people think MJ along with every single 80s 90s player is waaaay better than they actually are. MJ is GOAT but like someone said earlier he's not god. People on this forum LOVE putting 80s 90s players on god status like they are just so much better and on a much higher level than every player in todays game. Toni Kukoc>LeBron in your opinion. Nostalgia is a bitch aint it.

[Calabis]

Except the zone defense which would force him to pass.

You realize he played in an era of illegal defense, so it was hard to double team him. It's super easy now. Just have someone floating over toward him at all times.

His assists would probably climb (but not by much, that pressure usually makes the second pass the one that hits the most open man), but his scoring wouldn't be any higher.

LMAO....zone defense hasn't stopped any perimeter players from getting in the lanes and scoring a majority of their points within 15 feet

[LA_Showtime]

I doubt it, no. I do think the rule changes would add 2-3 assists per game, though.

[Calabis]

Except the zone defense which would force him to pass.

You realize he played in an era of illegal defense, so it was hard to double team him. It's super easy now. Just have someone floating over toward him at all times.

His assists would probably climb (but not by much, that pressure usually makes the second pass the one that hits the most open man), but his scoring wouldn't be any higher.

[Droid101]

LMAO....zone defense hasn't stopped any perimeter players from getting in the lanes and scoring a majority of their points within 15 feet

It's not zone defenses per se. Watch the Celtics play defense. If they are playing against a one-man-team, they always have players floating over from the weak side to clog things up.

One-man-team type players never score well against the Celtics, or really, any other team that uses this kind of denial.

Pass-drive-kick offenses work against these types of defenses, which lead to much more balanced scoring among teammates.

[gengiskhan]

21 yrs old Rookie MJ played 82 games & averaged:

6.5 Reb 6.0 Ast 28.2 Pts

Post 2005 defensive rules changes, With lot less milage on Legs & incredible energy rookie MJ possessed (he barely got tired), MJs rookie ave will easily be

8.0 Rebs 7.3 Ast 34.5-35.5 pts

as his FG% will be in the range of 55-57%. & free throws will be way up.

Remember: Rookie MJ played free style Bball. Lot more penetration, lightening quick first step, posterisations, inside game. result will be lot more free throws.

[Droid101]

You realize back then you had to be stuck to your man, or directly double-teaming a man with the ball. There was no in between. There was no clogging the paint.

Go back and watch some games, they flow much differently back then.

[Droid101]

21 yrs old Rookie MJ played 82 games & averaged:

6.5 Reb 6.0 Ast 28.2 Pts

Post 2005 defensive rules changes, With lot less milage on Legs & incredible energy rookie MJ possessed (he barely got tired), MJs rookie ave will easily be

8.0 Rebs 7.3 Ast 34.5-35.5 pts

as his FG% will be in the range of 55-57%. & free throws will be way up.

Remember: Rookie MJ played free style Bball. Lot more penetration, lightening quick first step, posterisations, inside game. result will be lot more free throws.

You realize that the average pace back then was around 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes.

It's about 92 possessions per 48 minutes now.

Look, I love Jordan. I grew up watching him dominate. But there is no way he's scoring more on higher percentages when the pace is this much slower. Not to mention packing the paint and making him a jump shooter.

[rule1223]

LOL you must be kidding, this is the average defensive player in todays game, let me repeat AVERAGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni7t4swtdYw

[Calabis]

You realize back then you had to be stuck to your man, or directly double-teaming a man with the ball. There was no in between. There was no clogging the paint.

Go back and watch some games, they flow much differently back then.

U go watch games, bigs camped out in lanes...u r telling me harder to get to the basket today

Zone Myth...as of Dec 22, 2005

Here's a look at the NBA's top five in scoring points in the paint (through Tuesday):

1. Tony Parker, Spurs 328
2. Tim Duncan, Spurs 322
3. Dwyane Wade, Heat 316
4. LeBron James, Cavs 304
5. Allen Iverson, Sixers 298

Zone Defense Makes it harder to get into the mid to close range area for perimeter stars: From NBA.COM % of pts scored INSIDE of 15 ft or FT line 2010

In 2010

Kobe scored:

460 pts on layups/dunks
572 pts inside 10 ft
862 pts inside of 15 ft
439 pts from the FT line.

Total: 669 pts outside 15+ ft < 1,301 pts INSIDE 15 ft or the FT line.

That means 66% (2/3 of his pts) came inside of 15 ft & the FT line LOL!!

Carmelo (the alleged pure jump shooter) scored:

652 pts on dunks/layups
736 pts inside 10 ft
864 pts inside 15 ft
508 pts from the FT line
571 pts outside 15 f

Total: 1,372 of his total pts came inside 15 ft or the FT line (71% of his total pts)

D-Wade (who doesn't even have MJ's post game or jumper) scored:

762 pts on dunks/layups
894 pts inside 10 ft
996 pts inside 15 ft
534 pts from the FT line
515 pts from outside 15 ft

Total: 1,530 of his total pts came inside 15 ft or from the FT line (75% of his total pts)

Tony Parker (a 6'1 pt guard) has led the league in pts scored in the paint TWICE!!

Tyriq Evans (a rookie in 2010) scored 714 pts on layups/dunks (84% of his total pts)

Durant scored 602 pts on layups/dunks (70% of his total pts)

LBJ scored 754 pts on layups/dunks (68% of his total pts)

Brandon Roy scored 346 pts on layups/dunks (63% of his total pts)

Joe Johnson scored 324 pts on layups/dunks (42% of his total pts)

Darren Williams scored:

392 pts on layups/dunks
486 pts inside 10 ft
528 inside 15 ft
335 pts from the FT line
556 pts from outside 15 ft

Total: 863 of his total pts came INSIDE 15 ft or the FT line (61% of his total pts)

Dirk Nowitzki (not a great athlete & terrible foot speed) scored:

328 pts on layups/dunks
416 pts inside 10 ft
718 pts inside 15 ft
536 pts from the FT line
773 pts outside 15 ft

Total: 1,254 of his total pts came INSIDE 15 ft or the FT line (62% of his toal pts)


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?

SJ: 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.

Since 2004 Shaq shot 60+ percent 5 times, 59% 2 times, prior to this his high was .599 one time(Zone didn't stop Shaq's efficiency)

GTFOH with this BS....facts prove otherwise

[mentallooser]

Even if he could I seriously doubt he would. It would be cancerous for his team for a single player to completely dominate the scoring to that extent all game in this age of basketball.