Michael Jordan 1997: 37 pts vs. Magic and Penny Hardaway

[wilzusuki]

MJ DIDNT GOT ALOTS 3 BUT WHEN HE DOES IT HE MADE IT NOT LIKE KOBE HOW MISS MOST OF HIS SHOT.

[trezeguet4ever]

you know when michael jordan makes a shot. the way he runs back and starts smiling just makes me SSHHHHHIIIIIIIIVVVVVERRRRRR take a look at 06:24 to 06:32

[marklastimosa]

Mrlamabitch smoking something really good! 

[hangtime23ful]

If Shaq stayed with the magic & Penny doesn't get hurt, the magic/bulls rivalry would of continued probably til 98 & it would of been very interestin to see if they could of come up on top in any of those next 2 seasons. The magic was lookin like the team of the future with Penny/Shaq not even bein in their primes yet til the early 00s & plus havin H.Grant. To me i don't think they would have but they would of givin the bulls a big run for their money like what the pacers did in the 98 ECF.

[RelieveZ]

Gotta love those shoes

[2pacinseattle]

@7:52 he lands very awkwardly on his left foot. Could have been dangerous.

[TRISTON93]

+ 10 times NBA scoring champion. Jordan owned ..

[west93]

this guy under me is really a Jordan hater, look at some of his videos people.

[brunolrhl]

what a ballhog! lol

[Mattixxg]

@brunolrhl

Its a HIGHLIGHT film. Its going to show HIGHLIGHTS dumbass.

[brunolrhl]

@Mattixxg hey matt, jordan can't shoot 3's or win without pippen. haha...

(cant wait to see your response now, mj fans need to stop take everything so personal, shows insecurity)

[Mattixxg]

@brunolrhl

Michael Jordan records 35 points in the first half of game one of the 1992 NBA Finals.Jordan made 6 3-point shots in the first half. Game one stat: 39 Points . 3 Reb . 11 Assist . 16-27 FGs shows how effective player Michael Jordan was in finals games.

Hows that for, "Why dont you shut the fuck up and bring something better to the table."

Lol @ the dumbass uneducated and uninformed kobe fans!

[Mattixxg]

@brunolrhl

Oh, btw, kobe fans are the insecure ones, they cant handle the fact that MJ was better than kobe. And its hard to be insecure when youre posting FACTS.

Very hard indeed.

[classickicks23]

its gotta be the shoes

[uberathlete]

MJ plays so beautifully. So efficient. Hardly breaks a sweat. So skillful with and without the ball.

[dimedropper1992]

Michael Jordan = the greatest of all time

im not a kobe fan... fuck him but he's great gotta give him props

I guess the reason why people think Kobe is better than Jordan is because all they see kobe do is make jumpers... Kobe can score no doubt but thats just one part of the game

[dimedropper1992]

haha gerald wilkins "the jordan stopper"

[ldrcrusher]

How the hell can they compare that shit (JEBRON LAMES) to this man right here? Jordan's game was a freak of nature! There is no comparison. Jordan had the complete package and all Jebron does is charge his way to the basket all game long.

[Vikruntasas]

MJ laughing his ass off the whole game! =D

[nibblebunny]

You can also make an argument that there are more complex defenses nowadays, but remember back then there was hand checking and you wer allowed to be more physical defensively.

[AdreasTheGreat]

@nibblebunny PLUS THERE WAS NO 3SEC. DEFENSIVE RULE AND THE 3P.LINE WAS SHORTER SO LESS ROOM TO PENETRATE.

[blackadam06]

@nibblebunny

"You can also [make an argument] that there are [more complex] defenses [nowadays]"

How, when U have the VP of NBA Basketball Operations saying this:

"Our rules are [designed] to [allow] players to [penetrate] for [high percentage] shots. This has [allowed] for more high quality [perimeter] shots as well, because of how much [easier] it is to penetrate [today]."

-- Stu Jackson, VP of NBA Basketball Operations; "Stu Jackson Presents", NBA . com May 3, 2007

Defense today = WWE

[nibblebunny]

@blackadam06 nonono your right on that. i guess i shouldve worded my statement better. usually thats what people usually argue is that defenses nowadays are more complex which is why they think that great players back in the day would struggle in todays nba. which i disagree. i thiink that great players back in the day like jordan, magic, bird, etc et. would dissect the shit out of it. but anyway good find on that quote tho.

[DanielWFilms]

@blackadam06 haha so you're going to quote a man involved in the creation of those rules... instead of analysts who have no bias? Haha good on you man, good on you. Not to say that I don't think Jordan is better than Kobe, but you are SADLY mistaken if you think defenses are weaker today. I've seen games of MJ where the defense is pathetically bad, and I've never seen a team play as horrid defense as I saw in that game. Plus, athleticism nowadays is much higher. Modern training allows athletes

[blackadam06]

@DanielWFilms

Oh...so U want analysts?

"If you're [athletic] and can put the ball [on the floor], the rules [benefit you]. It's that simple, and [no one] takes [more advantage] of that than [Kobe]."

-- Dr. Jack Ramsay: "Next up, 100? Strategies, rule changes make it a possibility"; by David DuPree, USA TODAY, Jan 24, 2006

How come ALL of these players (former & current) keep indicating that the new rules FAVOR them? How long will idiots like U keep denying the obvious?

[hangtime23ful]

@blackadam06 Haha dang man, & the thing about those 2 players (Duncan & Kidd). They both faced hand checkin when it was allowed & now they don't face it. Comin from 2 future HOFamers that have experienced both. 

[Dkouts57]

@blackadam06

Stackhouse avg 30ppg in this gay ass NBA. Gilbert Arenas was a scoring machine in this league.

How hard can it be to fuckin score if those two can do it? they are flash in the pan scrubs. Role players at best on good teams

[DanielWFilms]

@blackadam06 nowadays to be able to reach a higher potential and a higher level of athleticism, and if you try to doubt this than you are unfortunately WAY too lost. I don't give a fuck about your petty opinion about that because there is a wealth of experts who will tell you that athletes are better trained today than in the past. You thinking that the defense is worse today is simply naive.

[blackadam06]

@DanielWFilms

"You thinking that the defense is worse today is simply naive"

Only 64 teams in the history of the game allowed FEWER than 101 pts per 100 possessions. 1993-04 had 48 teams do it, meaning 7 of those seasons are from the 90s ALONE.

# of teams scoring 100+ pts from 1999-04 = 21

# of teams scoring 100+ pts from 2005-10 (new rules) = 46

That's a MORE THAN DOUBLED total, and the game pace remained virtually the same.

[blackadam06]

@DanielWFilms

"Our rules are [focused] on keeping the middle [open] to offer [more opportunities] for players to [cut & penetrate] to the basket. When we [disallowed] the use of the [hand] and [forearm] to the [body], the [defensive 3-second rule] in [conjunction] with the [hand check] interpretation, [gave] offensive players on the [perimeter], [more] offensive [freedom]."

-- Stu Jackson; NBA Exec. VP of Operations; "Season Review with Stu Jackson", May 5, 2007

I guess he's "naive" too huh?

[blackadam06]

"The game has [changed big-time]. When I came in you could [hand check] and hold a little bit. You could [definitely] be [more physical] with the [ball-handler]. Now if you [just touch them] it’s [a foul]. It [definitely] gives [quicker] guys an [advantage].”

-- Jason Kidd: "Since hand-check rule change, NBA has become a perimeter player’s league"; by Mike Baldwin, staff writer for the Oklahoman, Mar 10, 2010

How about him? Is he naive too?

[blackadam06]

@DanielWFilms

"It’s [definitely] a [perimeter player’s] league [now]. That’s [not good] for me, but the league wanted [more scoring]."

-- Tim Duncan: "Since hand-check rule change, NBA has become a perimeter player’s league"; by Mike Baldwin, staff writer for the Oklahoman, Mar 10, 2010

Damn..Timmy too?

I guess it's naive for me to think that defenses are WORSE today, due to the FACT that the Top perimeter scorers had a 23% INCREASE in scoring and a 4% INCREASE in FG% AFTER the rules changed..

[DanielWFilms]

@nibblebunny Michael Jordan abused the hand check, that's a weak argument because the hand check (against a smart player) is going to fuck you over hard. Jordan had the best first step in the game because he could swipe the hand check down or even lock the hand check to his body and blow past defenders while they were left off balance for that split second. The hand check argument is a bad one. Physical defense also doesn't help when every shot MJ took was open by 4 or 5 feet. He is the best tho

[nibblebunny]

I love the Lakers and Kobe to death. But Jordan is on another level. What separates them is that Jordan took smarter shots. He got to his spots no matter what and take his shot which is why shot such a high percentage. Also even as he aged he wasnt afraid to take it in the post and bang with other opponents. Kobe on the other hand will force shots up if he cant get to his spot. and at time he will go away from his bread and butter which is in the mid post.

[Icerocjr]

ive come incontact with god thru jordan

[HotSaowce]

@laepnud. shaq is wit the lakers cause i think he got traded in 96

[laepnud]

What's beautiful about watching this is that Jordan's fundamentals are so sound that he doesn't have to rely on difficult shots.

[laepnud]

Where is Shaq in this game?

[ZZIAN003]

he makes the game look so easy... just shoot just shoot 37 points.....

[CALiBOiAKArezz]

kobe and jordan tru NBA legends...those who dont agree are total ignorant.

[Jonreynols]

Why do pple always gotta bring kobe name up when talking abt jordan? Two different players from two different eras.. Yea they played against one another but kobe was still young competing with Eddie Jones for the SG position.. two great players different though..

[kinfolk441]

When you got jumpers going, making three-pointers, you're just awesome.

[jriv27]

When I first saw the Movie Space Jam, when those little aliens turned into the Monstars, I did'nt think one damn bit they could stop MJ, I though man MJ is gonna whip their ass still, like them gettin all big n shit was gonna slow down MJ, but seriously though, MJ can beat any one on Earth or Mars or Pluto or anywhere in the fuckin galaxy, Jordan is and always will be the GOAT.

[at1212b]

Look at Phil's expression when MJ gets out of the game. One of amazement.. something you will not see him do today.

[ChiTownReppin]

@at1212b fuck yea! because if it did happen again he would just be like "eh, it was done before."

[killerfocker]

mj is basketball

[Koolv32]

Mike and the Jordan Stopper

[bornready30]

great video !

[mariko2294]

I have seen better quality and close up of this action at NBAPremium(.)tk you should go there to see this action

[monkota]

away from all the crazy jumpshots,

look at 5:43 - 6:13

and 7:40 - 7:53

and maybe you`ll get the point :)

[monkota]

just for the stats people, jordan is 34 yrs old here!!! 34 !!! kobe is 31 or so right now, and jordan was much more athletic and quicker at the age of 34 than kobe is now at age 31!!!

Enough said.

now don` get me wrong, kobe is a great player, the best in today`s nba, but MJ is simply not human!

p.s. look at the things he did on that wizards team even when he was 39 and 40! MJ=GOAT

[elohim77]

totally agree. Lets see if kobe still can play the game at 40 scoring 30, 40 and 50 points like mj did. Like u say, kobe is the best now!, But MJ is the best of all time and anybody disagree doesn´t know shit about basketball

[MrIamabitch]

@monkota penny was better than kobe.

[RohoicRamz94]

@MrIamabitch Oh hell nah Penny wasnt better than Kobe,Kobe is a monster.

[ryzo58]

@MrIamabitch

"i know one thing, you is dumb as fuck"

[MrIamabitch]

@ryzo58 the dude entered the nba rocking the ball looking like jordan infact penny was called the next jordan before kobe im not saying penny career wise is better than kobe certainly not im saying in a certain point penny WAS better(was is a past tense for all you idiots)

[MrIamabitch]

@ryzo58 now I know one thing 2001-2002 kobe cant ever be touched exept mike

[Domini478]

@MrIamabitch shittin me

[cpxwajai916]

i liked the NBA when it was on NBC!!! nba isnt the same anymore.=/

[char4ever]

MJ is the only one who can live up to the hype of the expectation from everyone, and he delivers ALL THE TIME.

[farmdale07]

calling MJ overrated just made me literally LOL at my computer, you clearly know NOTHING about the sport of basketbal to make a comment like that, MJ is basketball, and MJ's midrange game is leaps and bounds better than Kobe.

[waihong001]

Jordan is everything!!! by the way, he kept laughing... lol

[liweiwu007]

kobe's range is unlimited. jordan's 3 is not the good.

[mj45jh23sp33]

KB is no where near the inside player or midrange post up player MJ was it is not even close. Hence KB shooting 46% for his career and MJ shooting 51% and even higher in his prime years from 25-30. There are plenty of players that have been able to shoot the 3 better than MJ but none are anywhere as as good all round including KB.

[Domini478]

MJ's three was good, dumbass

[blackadam06]

Seasons shooting at least

40% in 3's: MJ 2 -- KB 0

39% in 3's: MJ 2 -- KB 0

37% in 3's: MJ 4 -- KB 2

35% in 3's: MJ 5 = KB 5

MJ's BEST 3pt shooting season is .427%, and at his playoff peak (during the 1st 3-peat), he was shooting 38-39% in each run.

Kobe at his peak in these last 3 playoff seasons has shot 30%, 35% & 37% in each run.

U should be tired of getting utterly owned..

[dabearcub]

@blackadam06 MJ > Kobe for sure, but Kobe is still badass.

[Metalstryke]

@blackadam06 where are you getting your stats from cause either way you look foolish cause for his career michael jordan is a 32.7 percent 3pt shooter and kobe is a 33.9 in the playoffs jordan is 33.2 kobe 33.5, your argument is what? Not to mention the 3pt line is farther now then it was when Jordan was in the league

[blackadam06]

@Metalstryke

Like I said, MJ was basically a 32% 3pt shooter for his career, whereas kobe's basically a 34% shooter from there..a mere 2% edge...not that big a difference.

Secondly, the 3pt line was ONLY shortened from 1995-97 and then returned to it's ORIGINAL length during the '98 season where it's remained, so WTF are U talkin' about?!!

In the playoffs they're about even in 3pt shooting, but In the Finals MJ holds the edge (MJ 37% > KB 28%).

[blackadam06]

@metalstryke

And just for the record dumb fuck, MJ's combined playoff 3pt% during their 1st 3-peat run was 38.7%...BEFORE the line was moved in!

Kobe's combined playoff 3pt% during his 3-peat was 36.3%...AFTER it was moved in.

Even if U removed MJ's '96 & '97 Finals 3pt%'s (shorter line), his 3pt% in those 2 playoff runs goes UP to 40% (27/70).

Kobe ALSO played during the shortened line season(s), and NEVER shot over 35% 1 time, so miss me with this bullsh*t kid, and go educate yourself..

[chitoz666]

penny hardaway didn't have a chance against the bulls at this time..he didn't have shaq to back him up...who replaced shaq at this time ronny seikley come on...hardaway wuz still a great player once...

[TheRatedIX7]

Even at this time Jordan still would've destroyed that team like he did at the 1996 WCF when the Magic had Shaq. The Bulls swept them 4-0.

[irvinantar]

I'm surprised by how many people act like Jordan invented the fadeaway. All big guards tend to have some of the same skills. If you guys ever get a chance, check out Jerry West footage, George Gervin, or Dr J.

[popeyeisgood]

Dr J isn't a guard technically.

i agree with you that jordan isn't the one who invented it though. but to me, jordan's fade away is the best fade away i have ever seen from any player, followed by hakeem's.

[DyNaMisWeApOn]

Damn I miss the old Penny.

[jeanrollan]

That move at 6:51 is textbook Jordan and Kobe read the book.

[Domini478]

wtf are you talking about?

[jeanrollan]

Kobe copied Jordan's post up moves and fadeaway J!

[char4ever]

Their fadeaway are different. if you watch very closely.

[liweiwu007]

jordan shoots with his wrist, and kobe with arm. so as the games go on, kobe gets tired quicker and his percentage drops because of more energy spent

[TheFlex21]

damn I miss Jordan

[4Show81]

Me too bro, me too.

[tmh1717]

i meant JORDAN lol

[tmh1717]

penny was magic and jordad combined...the evolution..taking something and making it better....not like lebron, kobe and wade who pretty much just want to do the same shit..MOVE ON ITS BEEN DONE!!

[Domini478]

Are you dumb or what? Penny was never like MJ, dumbass

[tmh1717]

i never said he was...i tried to say that he had traits in his game of MAGIC AND JORDAN COMBINED!!!!!!!!!! and if he never had...he would have been better...i can say the same thing about grant hill. Did I call you a dumbass? NO!! have some manners...obviously thats something you missed out from JORDAN's persona.

[YoungPlayasENT]

i wear both air jordans nd air pennyz so fuk huz betta! na jp penny wus nice til his knee fuked up nd jordan wus always da best. I kno yu c MJ wearin doz beautiful 12z =].

[CrUzAdErKhIdD]

4:31 same move made in MJs supposedly game winning shot in da ASG in 2003 or 02?..

[KB42PAH]

very nice fadeaway at 6:22

[rrTale]

Of course you'd like it, that's where your idol took his form from. And how did you like those double and triple teams PAH?

[KB42PAH]

wow jordan got owned at 1:22

[peterdabest94]

Nice, they give the "greatest player of all time" 2 wide open jumpshots. ROFL!

[airjordan1585]

that move at 2:22 was so fast that its almost unbelievable....

[KB42PAH]

true

[airjordan1585]

yeah and he's 34 here...recognize

[mlynch07]

Jordan was always great at faking a defender out of his mind whenever someone came over to set a pick for him. Just like at 2:22 in this vid, he would fake like he was going to use the screen and then explode in the opposite direction, leaving the defender to fumble about helplessly, no longer part of the play.

[hoopsencyclopedia]

The highest level or athleticism combined with the highest level of skill with the highest level of awareness allows MJ to dominate with those fades alone. He could average 32ppg on that shot alone. It's just incredible how he knows exactly where all 5 defenders are in order to get that shot off exactly at the right time over and over again. The only player other than perhaps Bernard King who used that shot as a go-to shot - except Bernard was more of a turn than a faaade.

[esrefb]

This was one of Jordan's Yoda-like performances. He was toying with the Magic defenders and enjoying every second of it.

[MIKESOWELL]

I remember this game. It came on a Sunday evening. I sometimes wonder why was it when Mike was hot like this, did it seem like the ENTIRE other team go cold?

[Brandoni73]

Love the MASSIVE STUFF he did to Penny at the end, and the near tight rope dance down the side line.

GOAT.... NUFF Said!!!

[utfanatic2000]

And remember, Jordan is 34 here....truly the GOAT.

[Makaveliblast1st]

dat camera view looks great they should do this more often

[ForEmily23]

very nice, my man

great stuff

[rsx2]

Hey it's the JordanStopper getting schooled one more time.

[sexdrax]

man MJ if he want it he can make it happen ..

[NYCGERSON777]

wow!! this is the game i been wanting to see...thanks bro!! do you have the whole game??

[jaboo82681]

He has the most beautiful looking jump shot ever, Mike's form on the jump shot is perfect, and he gets good elevation on his shot as well

[rrTale]

I agree completely, he has the best jumpshot form ever, many have tried to emulate it, KB's case is blatant, but if you're gonna emulate the guy's game i guess trying to shoot like him is no surprise.

It's my opinion that '97 was the season where Mike reached the perfect form, never looked better.

[uberathlete]

I always laugh when people say that Kobe's jumper is like MJ's. No way in hell. Kobe's release is so damn slow compared to Mike's, which is part of the reason why he can't emulate MJ's midrange game.

[rrTale]

Sure its nothing like the original but release or elevation aside, you can see he copied MJ's form, the way he positions his hands to shoot it, the leg kick.

[irvinantar]

I think Kobe has surpassed MJ on the midrange game.  Mj had spots he would go to, but Kobe shoots from everywhere. I'm not saying Kobe is better overall, just the midrange game.

[daGOATmj23]

MJ shot the basketball from anywhere on the court so idk what ur trying to prove but no one can surpass MJ's midrange game which was the final piece to his game

[irvinantar]

Ok I'm not trying to change your preference of player (your name is daGOATmj23 I know who you like, lol). I think Jordans midrange game was pullup J from the elbow and the fadeaway on the baseline. Kobe seems like his midrange jumper can come up at any time. But this is the telling factor between Jordan and Kobe: you ever watch the expression on the faces of the people that Jordan scored on? They look completely demoralized. I think that tells it all. MJ the best, Kobe a better midrange.

[daGOATmj23]

I respect ur opinion but MJ being a better midrange shooter is a fact

[mj45jh23sp33]

If KB's midrange game was stronger why is it that he hoists so many 3 point attempts which provides him with a FG% that is 5% worse than MJ YES 5% that is huge, and its 7% if you take off the two years MJ played with WIZARDS injured and OLD (40 yrs old).

[irvinantar]

You bring up a good point, but did you consider that Kobe's 3 pt. shooting % is almost identical to MJ's, while shooting double the amount (300-400 a year where MJ only shot 100-200). That pretty much explains the 5% you are mentioning even if you take off the Wizard years. But I like your point. That's the smartest opinion I've read.

[DanielWFilms]

@mj45jh23sp33 well if we're taking off the years that MJ played with the Wizards, then it'd only be fair to take off all of the years that Kobe played while MJ was playing NCAA.. right? haha idiot.

[liweiwu007]

jordan usually goes to the middle of the floor. kobe shoots from the baseline and basically everywhere.

[furyofdawolfx]

dude Jordan shot the fadeaway from everywhere.. You obviously haven't followed his career wow

[liweiwu007]

the dude was over-rated. who cares about his career?

[v1nc3s]

from your comments, you're obviously a kobe fan... so how can you call mj's career overrated? lmao. kobe is the most overated player ever. yes he scores alot but have you seen his shooting percentages? he can't win without shaq and he won't this season either.

[liweiwu007]

from your comments you are obviously a jordan fan. kobe can't win without shaq, but can shaq win without him? can pippen win without jordan? can jordan win without pippen? shut the the fuck up!

[v1nc3s]

can shaq win without kobe??? wtf? have you heard of miami heat? jordan winning with or without pippen doesn't make him overrated. he wins. both shaq and kobe have gone to the playoffs and lost. see the difference?

[liweiwu007]

no but i have heard the miami "cheat". d-wade got preferential treatment in that mavs series. that's why they won.

[Domini478]

Shaq did win without him, dumbass. He had won a championship in 2006, ole dumb ass nigga. MJ made Scottie because when he retired for the second time, he avg 12 points a game, dumbass. MJ had won 6 NBA Finals MVPs, while Scottie got none.

[liweiwu007]

you want to die little bitch?

[Domini478]

WTF???? LOL!!! STFU lame nigga!!

[liweiwu007]

you are a honkey-faced cracker piece of white trash. go back to your tailer home!

[Domini478]

White?? Nigga, I'm black ,ole dumb nigga. Another thing, I stay in a house, ole dumb nigga

[lostdon7]

Anyone that says Jordans career was ovverrated is a retard, the 6 rings speak for itself.....as for Kobe, he isn't overrated, i'm a spurs fan and way too many times i've seen that s.o.b kill the spurs in the 4th with clutch shooting, no great player can win without help, history speaks for itself.

[Domini478]

How can a dude be overrated when he wins 6 NBA Rings & 6 NBA Finals MVPs(NBA Record)? This man got 5 NBA MVPs, a 14 NBA All Star Starter, & he is third on the all time scoring list? I know one thing, you is dumb as fuck!

[jaboo82681]

Yeah and he immortalized

[jaboo82681]

yeah and he immortalized it in 98 with the "last shot," but heck I've even tried to get my form like it, kinda have but I'm a lefty so it doesn't really look like it...lol

[jordanlover23]

That crossover and pass at 53 seconds (through 4 Magic players) is ridiculous. He find the half inch of space that's open fo his hand to make the pass lol. That split of the pick and roll and sideways fading jumper at 3:00 is incredible, too. Thanks for the upload.

[dv122]

they signed brian williams and parish for 15 day contracts cause of injuries and then kept them for the rest of the season. i always liked williams over longley and wennington. i dont understand why jackson didnt use parish more though. i liked the parish/williams duo. they also had james edwards who i liked. they could have gotten tons of other big men who were available rather then stick with longley who i never liked as a player. also i prefered wennigton over longley as starting center

[char4ever]

I think the only reason to play Longley is because he is young and he is a GREAT passer as a center. Triangle offense needs a good passing center and he filled that role pretty good.

[sexdrax]

yah like paul gasol hahaha

[sopa71479]

after shaq left the magic the whole Bulls/Magic rivalry died. It Died right when the Bulls swept Orlando in the 1996 playoffs

[dv122]

shaq left cause he hated playing against the bulls defense and knew he had no shot at winning in orlando. pippen,jordan and rodman

[alaskanmarine1]

that pretty much went for the rest of the league as well, no shot at winning against Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman.

[bChow12]

good game for mike