Michael Jordan 1987: 49pts Vs. Charles Barkley's Sixers

[jordanpopov1]

what an incredible years !!!! the greatest basketball ever !!!!

[wilzusuki]

DURANT ALSO GOT BIG HANDS LIKE JORDAN THE ONLY THING HE NEED IS SPEED THE mid-range jumper FADE AWAY JUMPERS AND LAYUPS

[wilzusuki]

WHAT ABOUT PISTOL PETE HE DID HAVE BIG HANDS AND GOT A HIGHT JUMPSHOT ABILITY BUT WITH LESS ATHLETICISM.

[218Murai]

@VinmanMJ23 What is the name of the MJ book that you have? I would like to know please.Thanks :)

[69points]

His rotation moves & spins are just insane !!!!

[philagon]

Also, how big are Kobe's hands compared to MJ? Interesting question. Having played thousans of hours with mini-balls and also with nerf hoops, and thousands with a real ball, I have always preferred the feeling of having "giant hands" with the smaller balls as it increased the margin of error.

[hoopsencyclopedia]

@philagon It appears that Kobe's hands are over an inch shorter than MJ's (his fingers barely reach MJ's top knuckle). MJ's hands are 9.5 inches from the base of his palm to his middle finger - about the same size as Wilt's. Lebron's is 9.0 inches. And I agree with you, I'll take the giant hands any day due to the severe advantage in ball control in the air or ground.

[bluerap04]

@hoopsencyclopedia

I have heard claims of MJ's hands being as long as 12 inches.. Your figure seems more realistic, and I'm curious as to where you got your figures for these hand sizes from? Google doesn't seem to know.

[VinmanMJ23]

@bluerap04 I have the MJ book that has a photo of his hands actual size. My hands are 8" from the bottom of the palm (where the wrist begins) to the tip of my middle finger. Based on that, I'd say MJ's hands are close to 10" because they are about 2" bigger than mine.

Rondo has huge hands also. It is an advantage in some ways, but a disadvantage in others.

[philagon]

With the Lebron, Wade and Dr. J, the explanation is similiar to big men. Blessed with god-like athleticism, they had little need to develop outside games to the level of say, Mike Miller. They just blew past defenders and layed it in or dunked on their face like a Varejao facial.

[philagon]

@hoopsencyclopedia I still disagree. Also here is my original point- if you have big hands, you are probably big overall, meaning you're a post player. Post players, by definition, will generally be poorer shooters because forcmost of their careers, at least until theyvmake it to the NBA level, they can thrive by being the largest guy on the court. In other words they don't have an incentive to practice jumpshots. So it's not that big hands cause poor shooting, rather big hands usually belo

[hoopsencyclopedia]

@philagon That's absolutely true as well that bigger players are also poorer shooters since they are forced to play in the post. However, it is well accepted in the sport that giant hands hurt the shooting touch as well. In general, centers with small hands are better shooters( Ewing, Yao) and perimeters with large hands are poor shooters (Dr. J, Elgin, Lebron, Wade). If you want icebreakers, the FT% is a nice pool where you can see it's dominated by smalls.

[philagon]

@mnkhan2020 I've always heard this "large hands are a liability" argument but think it's a crock. Larger hands gives one greater handle and thus greater control over the ball. I think, if anything is conceded, I would say this: if one has large hands, generally one is large himself and has less of a need to develop an outside shot, since they can post up more frequently.

[hoopsencyclopedia]

Large hands are a great advantage obviously for many reasons as you stated. The area where it's a liability is in shooting - with hands too big, it's much harder to get the shot off perfectly since there's too much grip which can alter the release. Hence, centers usually are poor shooters and free throw shooters. This is another reason why MJ continues to baffle - he had hands bigger than centers yet shot the ball perfectly - a testament to his incredible skill and singular package.

[hoopsencyclopedia]

So with MJ, was the most acrobatic perimeter with all the hand size advantages of a center which allowed him to create and finish with either hand while also having the shooting touch of a pure shooter. This combination is unlikely to happen again. Look at all the acrobatic perimeters like Lebron, Wade, Dr. j with big hands - they all have problems shooting. Look at Kobe - his small hands make him a great shooter but he struggles to finish and create on the drive. MJ had both-a true freak.

[philagon]

in this game at least, Barkley's is the better stat line.

[WushuDude13]

if i had to pick a 2on2 game between jordan and barkley vs lebron and wade....10 out of 10 times im going with jordan and barkley, cuz these two would rape the league today in their primes

[hosuwei10]

Anyone notice how fast and accurate the commentator comments in this game? Especially at 4.04 - 4.11

[sbeallvln]

Is this the same Mike Brown that now coaches the Cavs? 1:52

[calabis]

Look at that awesome team Jordan had lol

[coolbuu1st]

they both playes GREAT that game! but charles barkley, 40 points and 21 rebs!!! OMG he was a little better! but Mj is the G.O.A.T

[uberathlete]

If you exclude MJ's 2 years as a Wizard, he shot better than 50% in his career. That is how efficient he was. Almost unheard of for a guard.

Add to that that he is #1 all time in blocks for a guard, #2 all time in steals, and #3 all time in rebounds for a guard. Plus he's #1 all time in PPG in the regular season AND playoffs.

GOAT.

[uberathlete]

Wow the quality of this video is AMAZING.

[Thuuur]

what a shake at 1m54

[lilterry1994]

at 48 sec tha reporter says ' jordan had 47 the other nght and just listen to how he say it that how u know jordan made it look effortless

[lilterry1994]

man im 6'2 and got decent arm length but if i had mj hands i swear i would be killing in b-ball but im only a soph so i got time

[december2560]

its Charles Barkley attack

[jmaal2345]

wutta game

[MrConnectLife]

No Wonder Hes The BEst

[xinnianhao]

Jordan, Kobe, LeBron... I like them all!!!! Watching them play bball is an art.

[HIfinest]

michael owns Barkley.

[jimmychuang]

I still like MJ's game the best. Real entertainment.

[jimmychuang]

Sir Charles is also amazing, 12-17 and 21 rebs???? Just like Shaq!!!

[Xziser]

thank you hoops

[Gemberland2004]

ok jordan going in......

[Gemberland2004]

Barkley beatsing lol

[Gemberland2004]

Charles barkley hadda way better game that night

[larry89]

jordan was a b-ball god... and take a look at his last shot!!!! even the people in the audience were in disbelief.. they had no choice but to give him a standing ovation when he left the court.. amazing

[larry89]

great game

[alaskanmarine1]

I think some his misses are almost as good shots other players make.

[Basil1976]

Great video ! Thanks again Hoops.. I check every day to see if there's a new one from you ;)

[MichaelJordanTube]

Wow.

[Peetakaamer]

Gob bless Hoopsencyclopedia!

[crackwhen]

:28, barkley is a beast

[nmac121]

on a side note, you know you're damn good when the fans are applauding a member of the losing team. Also great to see Jordan in his youth, extremely raw, you can see how his shot developed throughout the years and how his fadeaway became so effortless in his prime. &Barkley may be a ridiculous basketball commentator but he sure was a good basketball player

[nmac121]

beautiful quality. Thanks hoops!

[bobo0383]

Barkley is one of those players back in the day that was more athletic than people realize. I just don't understand it when people say that Jordan didn't play with the same athletes that Kobe and Lebron play with. Tell me who in the league at Barkley's size can do what Barkley did?

[uberathlete]

Yeah. People really underestimate how athletic and strong players in the past were. Plus, it was very hard to be athletic back then because of how physical the defense was and how much they packed the paint despite illegal D.

[accepttrue]

even some of the Jordan's miss shot is holy amazing.

[jordanlover23]

Just an unbelievable exhibition from Jordan this game. His jumper was so solid even early on. I laugh my ass off when I hear people act like Lebron or Wade (especially Bron) have a comparable shot at the same age (MJ is 23 years old here), because it's completely false. Lebron even now, at age 25, can't shoot like this to save his life. There's a stark difference there.

[JBK353]

Lebron is 24 years old.

[williest1]

I agree. The mid-range jumper is all but lost in the NBA now. Many guys are great SCORERS, but not shooters. How many of these players (outside of Kobe) will do acrobatic drives to the basket, make outrageous long range shots at whim - yet miss clutch free throws when they matter? Jordan had many nights where he shot 80-90% at the line!! I would say that Kobe is a solid clutch free throw shooter -the rest are just scorers. yes? No?

[mnkhan2020]

dude. Rookie MJ was better shooter than Kobe, lebron, wade ever will be, are or were. Rookie MJ shot close to 51.5%.

MJ despite his extra large huge hands that should have seriously affected his outside shooting has the softest touch & release with proper rotation on the ball at all times in his career.

thats a absolute rarity for guy with huge mits. My point is just look at Dr J. never was as deadly shooter as MJ was.

[popeyeisgood]

yea his shooting touch is just hard to describe. no matter it is normal jump shot or layup with left or right facing or back facing the rim. so many time he throws up some of the softest high arching layup and you wonder if his hand size has something to do with it. another player that has good shooting touch with big palms is hakeem.

[ATLKing132]

@jordanlover23 Dwyane wade is the closest thing to jordan period. He has the circus shots pretty good jumper and he dunks on everyone.

[SolidValidus]

Damn....that last shot by Michael was insane! Gotta feel for Sir Charles though and the rest of the people whom Jordan denied rings.

[AceroySangre]

One Must Real Realize Pippen and Grant Wasn´t With Bulls Yet. When He was and Got to Run the Point-Forward and Get the Right Amount of Usage% the Bulls began to win.

[Brandoni73]

Glad to see some videos of the dominant Charles Barkley in his prime! He was unique in the fact that he destroyed so many others who were taller and more traditional power forwards.... The fact is, there never will be another one...

The only shame is that he played in the same era as MJ!

[jumpwatson]

he is amazing!

[williest1]

The amazing thing is Barkely was only 6'5 and a 1/4 inch but played like he was 6'8!! He lived in the post and cleared the boards and dunked on anyone and everyone! AND - he had some impressive verticals!

[AceroySangre]

6´4 3/4 PF weight varied alot though and he also had a 39 vertical inch leap while weighin 260 lbs pls many years. Between 1985 and 1995 before back and knee injuries easy the Best PF Ever!

Here Is The Better Resume of the Same Game with More Barkey plays, put this on the search:

Michael Jordan vs Charles Barkley (1987.1.30)

[akanwisdom]

Hoops, Your vids are a true treasure.

[TBlake34]

I've heard people argue that the '83 Sixers team was the best ever, they're certainly in the discussion.

But the interesting thing is how they match up with the Bulls. They toss Pippen at Dr. J, who was never a great jump shooter, that would have been fun. Malone would have been trouble, but the Bulls always let centers score. Unless Moses averaged 50ppg, they could survive.

Toney-Mj is the key one. Interesting to watch them here unfortunately after Toney's prime.

[jbichotte]

he lost once in a while, not much tho

[holesh0t]

I wonder why Barkley let himself become such a fat guy?

[boss12]

The same way the rest of America did.

[BrunoLS09]

nice start of a game, Sir Charles...

[BrunoLS09]

NICE video quality!

[BrunoLS09]

AWESOME!

SIMPLY AWESOME!

[jayhov15]

its been a while since you last posted anything hoops, glad to see you back in action, you wouldnt have been gone so long because you were working on the artistry 3 would you??????

[hoopsencyclopedia]

Haha thanks. Part 3 will take some time as I gather some rare material again. However, I should be putting up game vids more frequently as we move along.

[sunnyali]

WOW...GOAT!!

[jaboo82681]

I remember 1t 5:46 that was on the opening sceen's of Michael Jordan's Playground

[arkade2345]

MJ gave a little bit of everything in this game! full arsenal! that reverse layup is probably the prettiest one he did in his career! perfect form and extension. would love to see oak vs chuck in a fight! LOL

[arkade2345]

MJ did the same thing his whole career; anytime he had a dunk right under the basket, he would jump off two feet, dunk it, and when he came down he would keep his right foot in the air (similar to how he holds his right foot after his jumpers) and kind of pivot on his left foot.

[jeditwinz]

Great work Hoops

[Salva46]

GOAT

[chrisx2k6]

Great quality and great editing!!...This video is like a time machine, and Jordan's greatness is timeless.

[m8use]

I can't help but smile every time he goes for those crazy airborn moves... Just ridiculous !! And the opponents face trying to block him are so priceless... The man was just too good.

[traPWNo]

lulz, 49 points and the bulls were able to lose the game anyway...

awesome jordan

and also barkley, dominating on the offensive rebound, what a player

[timjr5000]

Wow some crazy shots and even some impressive misses haha. That 1 reverse he missed i almost jumped out of my chair. But most impressive thing to me in this vid is 1 thing that really stood out was the way jordan faked on that turnaround fadeaway at 1:52. Before he even touches it he sets his man up fakes one way and then fakes the other. People who don't play basketball wouldn't understand how great that is. No players today even fake like this. And this is 1987!!

[popeyeisgood]

yea he is so ahead of time, even to now.

and whoever said he didnt have the fadeaway in his early career should shut up too. he just never relied on that at young age. it is even more absurd for those who said he didnt have the middle range. they simply just repeat what ever the stupid media said and take it as their own opinions.

[timjr5000]

OOh my goodness! Who ever said he had no mid range game? Jordan was almost all mid range and then even more post in his later years!! Jordan knew that the easier shots more higher% shots were more effective and efficient to win. I don't know anyone who said Jordan has no mid range whoever said that really is an idiot! haha. And so true Jordan and all his moves are still on a another level from any era and imo era's to come.

[williest1]

So true! Anyone with any basketball intelligence (and is not busy hating on MJ lol) would agree a lot of MJs moves consisted of a quick penetration move, shaking off the defender and pulling up/ turnaround J right around the 10-18 ft range! his whole game beside going to the basket was total dominance of the mid-range jumper!! GOAT!

[RohoicRamz94]

Yes indeed.

[pehsoj]

charles got hops!

[SrustinLim]

this was at his unbelievable scoring peak.

nobody could stop him.

[Lightblessins]

some amazing shoots in this 1, only jordan! =)

[sirtoofresh]

dave corzine throws dimes!

[Lmartin31]

michael is a great basketball player but as a person dude is selfish

[demondayzzz]

u have to be to have that kind of drive. they pretty much are all like that. + he can still be humble as well.

[Lmartin31]

Yeah but he is even more worst now that he is retired, we all know mj as the player but smh at him as a humble person

[killerfocker]

OMG HES SOO GOOD, i believe this is at his peek

[AntiMTVMovement]

thanks for posting!!!

[BKirby23]

Nothing beats a new MJ upload from Hoops! Damn, Mike always lit up the Sixers.

[SevenMan]

Awesome upload! Thanks!

Also Hoops, can you please post the exact date? It would be easier for people to identify the season. I believe this is the 1986-1987 season.

Great game for both Jordan and Barkley.

[det916]

Great upload Hoops. Good to see you back in action. I'm ill at the moment, so I might have a few uppages over the weekend, too.

[pushinweight]

i hope espn is watchin this...the anouncers are flawless with the call..

[bigdplaya25]

7:08 was out of this world!! just amazing!

[noel8421]

woah pete myers used to play for the bulls back then?

[SevenMan]

Yep, it was Myers' rookie season.

[ShinAkuma21]

damm barkley was a beast down low

[marcelobesch]

Hoops new video!!

Yahoo!

[uberathlete]

MJ scored almost every which way. Off screens, in the post, through the middle, by the baseline, from midrange, drives, dunks, circus shots, reverses, turnarounds, fadeaways, reloads, etc.

[smoothSnake23]

keep em coming, these vids r awesome indeed dude :)

[nikosvault]

You should re-upload all your videos in HD. Im doing it for sure.

[kevtube88]

Cant wait to see your videos.

[Amir883]

I always enjoyed it when the commenter would say "Barkley rumbles down the lane"

[dimedropper1992]

Feels good to see you posting up again

Good game for Jordan and charles