Michael Jordan is one of the greatest scorers the NBA has ever seen. His mastery of ball fakes and mid-range jumper plus his athleticism made him almost unstoppable during his playing years.
On his fifteen-year NBA career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game and had eight seasons where he has an average of at least 30 points. His best scoring season was during his third year in the league, averaging 37.1 points on 40 minutes per game.
Recently, Mark Jackson, who faced Jordan during the late 80’s and early 90’s, discussed how many points will MJ score in today’s NBA.
In an episode of Shannon Sharpe’s ‘Club Shay Shay’, Sharpe asked the TNT broadcaster about the points Jordan would average if he’s playing in the league now.
“Michael Jordan would average whatever he’d want to average. He could get 40 a night. I’m here telling you as a witness, he would average 40 a night.” The former NBA coach said.
Jackson claimed that Jordan would average at least forty points in today’s NBA and added that MJ could average the points he want to average.
Even one-time NBA champion Metta World Peace said that Jordan would average fifty in todays era. MWP, now known as Metta Sandiford-Artest also appeared on Sharpe’s show and also discussed how many points will Jordan average if he is playing in the league today.
“I was at the Jordan era, “I was in the LeBron, Kobe, 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.” Artest claimed.
“If he wanted to,” the small forward added. “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.” Artest expained
James Harden had multiple seasons where he averaged at least thirty points. Most of his points came from the charity stripe. Stephen Curry averaged 32 points per game last season where most of his points came from his made threes.
Jordan averaged more than thirty points on multiple seasons in an era where defense were always played and three-point shots were not much of a weapon.
What do you think? Will Jordan be as successful in this era where players were shooting more than ten three-point attempts per game?