Basketball is a game of legacy. It’s not just about being good, it’s about how good someone is compared to the entire history of the NBA. Many amazing players have stepped onto the hardwood over the past seventy years, but only one is Michael Jordan.
The Bulls guard is widely considered to be the greatest player of all time. The following sections will look at why that is by, not just analyzing his impressive stats, but by breaking down his various championship and MVP runs. That will show how he did things no one else could.
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Standing Out
Many athletes have stepped onto an NBA court, but only one is considered the G.O.A.T. Fans and players have long debated the greatest of all time, but that debate largely came to an end during the 90’s when Jordan took over the league.
Players have dominated just about every decade of basketball. However, most of them met some adversity. Jordan was unique because his run was so effortless in one of the most top-heavy leagues of all time. There were plenty of good teams, and still he thrived.
Among a slew of hall of fame talent, Jordan won six championships, five MVPs, and averaged roughly 30 points a game. He was an incredible defender, amazing leader, and tough all-around athlete. He had no chinks in his armor, and it showed in each and every season.
Ice Cold Veins
There are several reasons so many consider Jordan to be the greatest basketball player ever, but none are more impactful than his finals record. He went 6-0 in the Finals, which is a crazy statistic that gets even more impressive with additional context.
In the early days of the NBA, there were a few great teams who absolutely dominated the league. Bill Russell’s Celtics won 11 titles and the Showtime Lakers took home five.
However, both of those teams lost at the top too. Not only that, but the Celtics (11-1 in championship games) played when the league was young and not quite figured out. Jordan played during one of the toughest decades ever, and didn’t lose a single contest.
Once Jordan reached the peak of the mountain, he thrived. That ability is what put him ahead of so many other hall of famers. It wasn’t just continued success, it was continued success on the league’s biggest stage in a tough decade. Even his first retirement didn’t slow him down.
Scoring, At the Right Time
The other reason Jordan gets the nod as the G.O.A.T over players like Lebron and Russell is his scoring ability. He scored almost 30 points a game for his entire career, and did so by shooting nearly 50 percent.
On top of that, where many stars shrink in the big time, he got better. Jordan holds the record for most points scored in a playoff game (63), most field goals made in a game (24), most points in a postseason (759), and most average points in a postseason (33.45).
He also has the record for most 50 point postseason games (8) and 40 point postseason games (38). The next closest numbers are 4 and 27, respectively.
Final Words
Michael Jordan is widely considered the best NBA player to ever step on a court. When looking at his pedigree, it’s easy to see why. He had amazing stats, a perfect Finals record, five MVPs, as well as ample scoring titles. That alone pushed him to the top of the NBA world.
He was a lethal player with an unmatched drive as well. It was that drive that made him so unique. There are plenty of players with rings, but no one hit Jordan’s peak.
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