Can someone explain how MJ averaged 11 assists in 91 finals

[Nevaeh]

Not really... the other Bulls averaged 16.4 apg compared to 6.8 for the non Magic Lakers. As a proportion of the teams assists Jordan didnt compare to Magic.

The "Other Bulls" have Michael Jordan on their team. You know, one of the greatest finishers ever, in his prime? I can totally imagine you in a laboratory trying to figure out a way to bring Jordan down "Evil Villain/ Take over The World Style", and it seems every other week you fail yet again. Curses!!


Jordan's teammates also got hot at the right time, and were totally in sync with each other, playing Team Ball. Of course, you wouldn't know too much about that now, would you...

[Quickening]

Weak era, next.

[Nevaeh]

Weak era, next.

Don't worry, the Heat "era" will be over soon enough.

[coin24]

Heat "era" Good one!

[Rake2204]

Never realized he averaged 32ppg and 11apg until I played NBA 2K11, where it was a pre-requisite goal to equal those averages in a series against the '91 Lakers. Pretty crazy numbers no matter how you slice it.

[Glide2keva]

Kind'a. Like the FG% is inflated, but big part of reason is that they still hardly use the 3s that much back then.

Look at John Paxon (the Bulls best shooter). He played on average 31.8 mpg in a five game series against the Lakers. He only attempted 4 three point shots. Only made 1. Jordan averaged 44.0 mpg, and only attempted 4 threes. If look at the whole bulls team in the series, they only average 4.2 three attempts in that series. That's unheard of and not seen in today's NBA. If teams don't take a bunch of 3s like back then, then they would definitely average a much higher percentage. It's also evidence when checking out players 2 point shots %. They are significantly higher than their 3 points shots, obviously. So, if they cut it down, then today's league would average a higher percentage too.

So, they played a different style and teams don't play that 2 point offense as much anymore. They expanded upon the 3 point. The pacing back then was a bit higher too, but back in playoffs the game (like today) the game slows down and they still had to do more half court sets.

Regardless, I doubt the offense numbers affect the stars that much since you see stars that migrated from the 80s to the 90s and to the early 00s. I think it affect role players a lot more.

And if you watch the series, Paxson was on fire. He couldn't miss. You pass it to him and it was automatic.

Check out the bballbreakdown. Pretty cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ARHtF4Letw

They only took 21 3's that whole series.

The Magic will take that many in a game.

[Dragonyeuw]

in one game he made 11 straight field goals, not points, but field goals

I think it was 13 in a row.....

[Dragonyeuw]

John Paxson was on fire on that series. The dude average 13.4 ppg on 65.3% in that series.

Paxson is a really good shooter in general. His mid range game was automatic. And I think he also hit a bunch of FGs in a row just like Jordan. He was clutch too. Anyway, Paxson had one hell of a series.

Including 20 points in the deciding game 5. Wasn't much the Lakers could do, they had to obviously respect Jordan's drives and when they converged on him, he was hitting Paxson time and time again, whose jumper was on automatic.

[OldSchoolBBall]

most of them were on fastbreaks.

That's actually not true at all. In fact, very few of them were on fastbreaks, though some were on early offense where Grant, for instance, would sprint down and get inside position and MJ would rifle a pass inside. The Bulls didn't have too many fastbreaks that series, actually, and many of the ones they did have saw MJ as the recipient of the pass.

The entire series is up on YT to verify this. I think MJ had 7-8 assists in the first quarter of one of those games. He was putting on a passing clinic that series.

[OldSchoolBBall]

in one game he made 11 straight field goals, not points, but field goals

13 straight FG's, actually, and he was 15-18 FG for that game.

lol @ this troll Yao Ming's Foot.

[Glide2keva]

That's actually not true at all. In fact, very few of them wer on fastbreaks, though some were on early offense where Grant, for instance, would sprint down and get inside position and MJ would rifle a pass inside. The Bulls didn't have too many fastbreaks that series, actually, and many of the ones they did have saw MJ as the recipient of the pass.

The entire series is up on YT to verify this. I think MJ had 7-8 assists in the first quarter of one of those games. He was putting on a passing clinic that series.

And the the whole series is on DVD, they can see for themselves.

I have it. Go get it.

http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Bulls-.../dp/B000JLTRGS

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Also, to make it even more remarkable, wasn't handchecking still allowed then too?

[Glide2keva]

Also, to make it even more remarkable, wasn't handchecking still allowed then too?

Handchecking was in full effect. See the Pistons ECF series before the Finals, even the NYK series (although a sweep) was tough, and even more tough the next year in the ECSF.

[swi7ch]

The reason is because he is the Greatest Of All Time and therefore can do anything basketball-related.

[Glide2keva]

Can someone explain how MJ averaged 11 assists in 91 finals

Basketball reasons