So in my continuing series on comparing eras and revisiting MJ's career through the lens of today.
Here were my big takeaways watching this classic. Even with the poor quality - watch the 2nd half -you will thank me.
1. Jordan was such a joy to watch again! The fadeaways. Relentless drives. Even the misses and when he got fouled were highlights. Cant believe there has never been a player as entertaining since. And there absolutely hasn't. 47 and he was quiet for the first half... Absolute Fire and the most entertaining watch in history. The 10 boards were highlights too as getting a board on top of Lambier, Rodman, Salley and the bad boys is worthy of honour.
2. Forgot how streaky Isiah Thomas was - when he got hot - very hard to stop. He had his fingerprints all over this game. If he was in today's era he'd benefit more than most and probably be more like curry or Lillard with better handles.
3. Joey D left his imprint on this game. Some great sequences but if you watch closely his ball denial on MJ forced MJ to play point in the first half just so he could get his paws on the ball. The fact that Jordan got 47 with Rodman and Dumars guarding him speaks volumes.
4. The shot chart of this game would show so many mid-rangers, leaners, and post fade-aways. I really miss these aspects of the game. 3's are fun too - but not when its the staple. Variety in the game needs to be protected because it's fun. It also forces scorers to have more variety and differentiates them more.
Jordan had sooo much variety and so may moves and ways to kill you. LBJ is more like Kareem and Shaq - few moves which are hard to stop.
5. Fast Breaks were more fun when they finish with lay-ups and dunks. Especially with high flyers like Scottie and MJ involved.
6. Vinnie Johnson would've been Jamal Crawford in today's NBA. One of the most underrated players in history but with skills that would've translated into any era.
7. James Edwards Moustache would be worth the price of admission alone.
8. Scottie and MJ were fearless going to the hole. But Horace and Nealy gave as good as they got. The pain was not one way despite MJ's narrative....
9. Game definitely way more physical back then. I'm sorry but LBJ's strength which is probably one of his top 3 assets would have translated. MJ in this era where you weren't able to hold him - un-bloody-guardable - as he was then..
10. Lambier, Rodman, Pippen and others flopped back then... Watch the tape! All truly great defenders push the rules to the limit - this is true in any era. Dont hate the (great defensive) player. Hate the game.
11. Jordan missed 2 jumpers with 1 min to go but Bulls got offensive rebounds - Skip forgets this shit.... If it was Lebron - he would have the take that Nealy bailed Jordan out... but that is also a ridiculous narrative coz Jordan was god in the 2nd half.
Watching them battle on the boards and in the paint was really fun. While people say aesthetically the game is better - what really makes a game fun to watch is competitiveness. The crowds are also so much more into the game when there is biff, so I think more heated rivalries were apparent in the 80s - and that translates into more watchibility. If the nba wanted to get more ratings they should somehow encourage more physicality - though it will never do that. Heated rivalries is what we need for the game to succeed.
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