It’s the age-old question: what would happen if Michael Jordan played in today’s era of basketball? Considering Jordan’s dominance in a mean, physical era of the game, many are inclined to think he’d absolutely obliterate opponents today.
Steve Kerr, current Warriors coach, and ex-teammate of Michael, doubled down on that notion, citing that if people failed to stop him back then, how would anyone have hope of doing so now?
(via Essentially Sports)
“When I look back at that Bulls team, that team was actually built to play today. Now, minus the volume of three-point shooting, but I think that team was capable of it.”
“But when you’re talking about the versatility that you need to defend today. If you throw out on to the court, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, and Dennis Rodman, that’s a 2020 defense. Those five guys can guard anybody.”
“And offensively, nobody ever could guard Michael Jordan then. You can only imagine now, with the spacing and the rules.”
From the time Jordan started his career as a rookie in 1984 to his last season with the Bulls in ’98, he only averaged under 26 points per game once. For his career, he averaged 30 points on 49% shooting.
Today, the game is much less physical. Hand-checking and player “landing” rules have made it easier than ever for guys to be bailed out when shooting a jumper or going up for a layup.
Jordan would have obviously exploited these rules and it is highly likely his point-per-game averages would have skyrocketed off free-throws alone.
No matter your feelings on Kerr, MJ, or the current state of basketball, it’s hard to argue that Jordan would not have been dominant in any era he played in. Dude was just unstoppable.
