Hypothetical scenarios are a pretty big deal in the NBA. In the past couple of years, more people imagine how certain players would fare in today’s league, with some making more or less accurate claims.
Michael Jordan is often part of these imaginary scenarios. As the greatest player of all time, the Chicago Bulls legend is constantly compared to modern-day players. Moreover, fans, analysts, and former players imagine the type of numbers MJ would post if he played today.
People like his former agent David Falk, Vlade Divac, Mark Cuban, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and more have tried to guess how many points Jordan would average if he played in the league right now.
More recently, Allen Iverson jumped on that train, giving flowers to his idol while claiming he would go for 40 on a nightly basis. Talking with 3x NFL champion Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay show, The Answer claimed:
“What’s the most he ever had? 37?” Iverson said. “Alright, so 40. Easy. 40 easy. 40 would be easy for ‘Black Jesus.'”
Then AI admitted that when it comes to Jordan, he’s not as objective as others.
“When I talk about him, it’s different. A lot of times it’s bad because I love him so much. I wouldn’t be the Allen Iverson, the basketball player today, if it wasn’t for him.”
Iverson even took the chance to discuss the GOAT debate somehow, naming Mike, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James as the three best players of all time.
“I don’t put LeBron in the conversation because I love him so much as a person and as a basketball player. Me and Michael Jordan don’t have the personal relationship as me and LeBron. Those three, LeBron, Mike, and Kobe, I’ve never seen nothing better. I’ve never seen a player better than those three.”
Jordan is perceived as a God by those who watched him play. Iverson got the chance to face him in the league, and his admiration for His Airness only gets bigger. That’s how impactful MJ was.
If he played in a much less physical NBA, Jordan would thrive. Maybe 40 would be short for him, but we’ll never know how great he would’ve been in this era.
