As the face of NBA basketball through the 80s and 90s, Michael Jeffrey Jordan has done almost everything there is to do as a player. In his prime, he added new meaning to the word ‘dominant.’
Sadly, we don’t get to watch MJ play anymore — he’s retired from the game and out there enjoying his post-retirement lifestyle. It doesn’t mean that his name doesn’t get brought up from time to time.
On Twitter this week, a statement made by Metta Sandiford Artest (formerly known as Metta World Peace) resurfaced that claimed Jordan would average 50 in today’s NBA. Here’s what he said:
(via Club Shay Shay)
“More than James Harden,” Artest said, when asked how many points MJ would average in the modern-day game. “I was at the Jordan era. I was in the LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant], [Tim] Duncan, and I was at the tail end. I’ve played with these guys. I’ve seen all the 3-point balls go up. Jordan would average 50 (h/t Lakers Nation).”
Artest was pressed to elaborate further, and he went on to explain his take in more detail.
“If he wanted to,” Artest continued. “James Harden wants to average 50. He just can’t. He’s got 38. If Jordan wants to average 50, if he was playing in this era, I think he averages 50. And this is no disrespect to any of the guys that’s killing.”
When talking about the best scorers in basketball history, Jordan (somehow) gets overlooked time and time again. When people think about his career and life as a ball player, they imagine his fight-flying dunks and acrobatic layups.
Really, though, Jordan’s bag was much deeper than that. He was a master at mid-range scoring, and post-play and had solid range on his shot-making.
He was a player of amazing versatility, even if it’s hard to appreciate it today.
