Zone defense legal in 2002, who dropped off hardest?

[Lebron23]

Zone defense legal in 2002, who dropped off hardest?

I noticed when zone defense was illegal Jordan feasted, he put up

29 ppg
46% FG
23% 3P

But when zone defense became legal Jordan did not feast, he put up:

23 ppg
41% FG
19% 3P

Why did MJ drop off so hard once teams could actually play defense with zone?

For reference

Zone defense




vs

Non-zone defense




So anyway, no zone = 29 ppg, 46% FG, 23% 3P

zone defense = 23 ppg, 41% FG, 19% 3P

Why did MJ drop off so hard once teams could actually play defense with zone?

Gonna give some credit to Kobe for being the best shooting guard in the zone defense era. Even the late Kobe said he wanted the nba to bring back llegal defense in 2010 after winning his 2nd finals MVP. He said it was much easier to score against the man to man defense.

[TheCorporation]

Why did MJ drop off so hard once teams could actually play defense with zone?

Zone defense



vs

Non-zone defense

that MJ illegal zone pic

Gets me every time

[Overdrive]

2nd defense wouldn't have been illegal in 96, 86 or 56. Imagine posting an on ball double team as an example for zone defense..