Would Michael Jordan Dominate in Today’s NBA?

The idea of who would dominate in today’s NBA is a popular topic, especially when discussing the historical greats like Michael Jordan. Many wonder if Michael Jordan, with his legendary offensive skills, could still lead a team to glory in today’s game. It is essential to compare players in their prime years, as the game has significantly evolved since Jordan’s era.

Evolution of the NBA: Changes in Offense and Defense

One of the most significant changes in the NBA since Jordan’s prime is the lack of physicality and fouling. In the 1990s, hand-checking and hard fouls were more common. Today, the game has become more defensive, but also more allowed contact, leading to a different level of offense.

With the lack of physical limits, a prime Michael Jordan would experience a significant scoring increase. His historical averages of 35-40 points per game (PPG) would be common in today's game, underscoring his unmatched scoring ability. One key reason for this is the absence of physical constraints that plagued him in the past.

Comparing Jordan and LeBron James

LeBron James, while a great player, has been the subject of many debates regarding his place among the greatest players of all time. Many argue that James is the second-best player of all time, but his dominance is more situational due to the era and context of his career. James's peak years in the 2010s were marked by a different defensive landscape, allowing him to excel in many areas.

Michael Jordan, in contrast, would dominate in today’s NBA on an unparalleled level. His offensive prowess is too significant to overlook. According to analysis, a prime Michael Jordan would give defenders three choices:

Let him go by and dunk, Foul him, or Call for a defender to double team him.

Each choice presents different scenarios. Allowing Jordan to go for a 90% chance to dunk would be a poor choice, while fouling him would likely result in free throws at 85%. A solid double team might still result in a high-percentage dunk, or Jordan could perfectly hit the open man through the defense.

Highlighting Jordan's 1987-1988 Season

The 1987-1988 season of Michael Jordan provides a prime example of his scoring dominance. Leading the league in scoring with 35.0 PPG, despite playing in one of the most defensive eras, he achieved this with a team that was lacking in offensive support.

Average Season Stats: 35.0 PPG, 53.5% FG, 60.3% TS, 84.1% FT, 40.4 MPG, 1.7 ORB, 5.5 TRB, 5.9 APG, 3.2 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 31.7 PER, 15.2 OWS, 21.2 WS, 0.308 WS/48, 8.8 OPBM, 4.2 DBPM, 13.0 BPM, 12.5 VORP.

Despite these eye-popping stats, Jordan’s supporting cast was underwhelming. The team only averaged 5 3-pointers per game, compared to the 35 a season that just ended. The lack of a flagrant foul call and frequent hard fouls made the game more challenging. Watch the given video to see the defensive style of that era in action.

Modern Day Adjustments for Jordan

While some argue that Jordan’s 3-point shooting affected his ability to dominate in today's game, his performance in the 1987-1988 season shows that he could do more than just shoot from inside the arc. Playing in the 9th season of the 3-point shot, the rules didn’t require defenders to give space, making it harder to shoot 3-pointers. Jordan's Bulls averaged less than 3 3-pointers per game, and only John Paxson and late-arriving Sam Vincent shot over 25.0 per game. Coaches often benched players who focused too much on 3-pointers.

Today, Jordan would likely score more than 40 PPG and could lead a team to a championship with a single All-Star level performance. He would be a constant terror both on offense and defense, playing the full 82 games and leading the league in minutes played. With a focus on 3-point shooting, Jordan would easily surpass 40% from behind the arc within a few years.

Most importantly, the supremacy of Michael Jordan’s game should not be underestimated. If anyone ever doubts his place as the greatest, reminding them of his scoring dominance in these conditions would be a powerful argument.