Michael Jordan 1990: 44pts Vs. David Robinson & Spurs

MJ should have been nicknamed "The Giant Killer". MJ flipped conventional wisdom that you needed a big man to win. And, he did it during the era of the greatest big men by playing at an efficiency higher than them all. This may be his most incredible achievement - retiring as the #1 PER leader in NBA history. From Jabbar in his last years to Akeem to Hakeem to Ewing to Robinson, Moses, Sampson, Laimbeer, Eaton, Daugherty, Parish, McHale, Mutombo, Mourning, Shaq, Smits and to the tweeners Duncan and Garnett, MJ ruled during a time when centers were supposed to rule. MJ turned David Vs. Goliath into a mismatch and instead, became Goliath himself.

Here, MJ played a typical game for 1990. In his absolute prime, his physical mastery and skills were at superhuman levels. With young David Robinson in his way, MJ played the game inside and out as if he wasn't there on route to 44 athletic points.

The Spurs played a great game to offset MJ's typical brilliance. The Admiral played a great game to match his team. MJ's Bulls suffered a close loss here but MJ's show was better than the game. Enjoy.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• David
• Robinson
• Spurs
• Bulls
• LA
• Lakers
• Shaq
• Lebron
• James
• Kobe
• Bryant
• Dwyane
• Wade
• Iverson
• Carmelo
• Arenas

[Rexanglorum]

The reason why most NBA champions win with great bigmen is because great bigmen create high percentage shots on offense and draw double teams and on defense they stop people at the rim. Offensively, Jordan substituted a bigman's contributions with high percentage mid to short range jumpers,fadeaways and perfect footwork on the block. Defensively, he (along with Pippen and Rodman) were on a string and simply did not let the opposition near the paint.

[hoopsencyclopedia]

No doubt. The number one stat that wins games is FG%. Efficiency is the Big Man's game. MJ was the only perimeter player to have the efficiency stats of the greatest centers ever. Not only that, he is above them all at #1 in PER. This will never happen again - ever. As scouts say, you look for the next big man - not the next MJ because it's not happening.

[airjordan1585]

Geez look at that elevation at 4:28, who actually jumps that high on a jumper? 4:40 he just explodes out of nowhere into the middle of the screen, and that lightning first step at 5:03, are you serious? (And he just happens to dunk on Robinson on that play....) Just a crazy show

[MrHavok29]

players are taught to openly compliment their opponents these days (good sportsmanship has become more important and encouraged) and no one talks about the sheer fear they have for kobe. respect , yes.... but F.E.A.R. no...that's the difference. against kobe, players feel/felt they have a chance...against mj, they already knew they didn't (which played right into the mental edge jordan had over players)

[MrHavok29]

@tsferg There are two reasons that I say people are comparing late-period jordan to prime kobe 1.) late period jordan was the last image we saw of the DOMINANT jordan years...so that is the natural comparison based on that alone (plus that is when we actually saw them go head-to-head a little) and 2.) NO ONE in their right mind can look at 87-92 jordan and prime kobe and think kobe is evenly matched with MJ...it's laughable.

AND those proud players from the 80s and 90s OPENLY spoke of fearingMJ

[two3baller]

RObinson= one of the most athletic centers in history of NBA

[tsferg]

Terrible write up to this video.

[tsferg]

@MrHavok29 And how would you know that?

[halfmanvc15]

2 very rare dunks on Robinson!!

[Doninho14]

@hoopsencyclopedia Never a truer statement made!!! Keep your video clips coming as it keeps me watching youtube hours on end . . .

[MrHavok29]

@maulman100 true! 1987- 1992 jordan was UNREAL. Jordan struck real fear in opponent's hearts...kobe is highly respected but they don't REALLY fear him.