Michael Jordan 1988: 50pts Vs. Boston Celtics

With the legendary Boston Celtics in town, MJ continued his legacy as the greatest performer against the greatest teams. It is this distinction that has always separated the elite from the greats and MJ from the elite.

The Celtics need no introduction here. Having knocked MJ's young team out of the playoffs in two consecutive years, they yet again took the #1 placing in the eastern bracket. With the best team and Bird in town, MJ would rise again and again.

Answering Bird's silky-smooth set shots throughout the game, Jordan would shoot 59.4% at 19-32 with 1-2 in threes and 11-11 free throws. He added 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. But of course, it was the way he dominated and carried the game in his usual spectacular fashion that can never be measured.

The Celtics roared back in the second half to cut into the Bulls' early lead. MJ shifted into his top gears and attacked the basket in a way only he could. With one incredible shot after another, he secured the Bulls win and took an early seat onto the bench.

What amazed me most during this era was MJ's ability to get stronger and more energetic as the game entered the 4th quarter. Never settling for jumpers even if he was on, he always attacked the frontline to demoralize the interior defense and sap his opponents' strength. MJ was at his most vicious during these years as an indomitable acrobat and you never knew what he would create next.

(Box Score):

50pts
19-32 fgs (59.4%)
1-2 threes
11-11 fts
5 rebs
9 asts
5 steals
1 blk
1 to
4 fouls
42 minutes

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Bird
• Celtics
• Bulls
• Lakers
• Lebron
• Dwyane
• Wade
• Kobe
• Shaq
• AI
• Iverson
• Tmac
• Carter
• Mcgrady
• Yao
• Ming
• Carmelo

[adrian23hdez]

those were real games//.

[MegaBabeTV]

Oh man, Jordan was a brilliant player! No one is better, not then, and not now. MJ is the G.O.A.T.

[wilzusuki]

back thm when the game of basketball was so intense and natural

[chapaev36]

Nobody's as quick and as elastic today as Jordan used to be. Today's stars just look.... heavy and clumsy comparing to him.

[RAV52]

Brad Sellers was a 7-foot non-factor, Dave Corzine was older than his jersey, Sam Vincent was above average and Young Oak was an emerging beast. But that #23 dude? Now that dude was a PROBLEM!

[lionelangemario]

what a game...againt the celtics!

[lionelangemario]

what a game!!!

[fungames2]

Do they still cut the lights at NBA final games?

[nuzzinaples23]

Dave Corzine, Brad Sellers, Sam Vincent, and Oak. Oak's the only guy who remotely came close to doing anything even as a role player. And people said Lebron had a bad supporting cast this year. Try playing with these jerk offs at the height on the NBA.

[t2shay01]

@MrBobHandler when have Iverson ever been assigned to guard Jordan. Never. Look it up!

[stromonie]

killin dj

[CrazyCubsFan10]

I didnt know the Bulls used that song in the 80s during their intro.