Michael Jordan v Phoenix Suns 1989

On 21 January 1989, MJ treated us all to an amazing performance, hitting his first 9 shots on his way to scoring 53 Points in the Chicago Stadium against a tough Phoenix Suns team.

Jordan shot 20-28 from the field (71.4%) and 13-15 from the line (86.7%) along with 16 Rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Impossible right? Well not for Jordan -- he did that all season.

In perhaps his best all-round season, and maybe the best all-round season of all time, MJ averaged 32.5 points at 53.8% from the field and 85% from the line, along with 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game over 81 games. He also led a young Bulls team to the Eastern Conference Finals against the eventual champion Pistons. Amazingly he didn't even win the league MVP that year because Magic led the Lakers to more wins. It shows how great and competitive the league was back then.

My favourite move is at 4:44 when he explodes baseline for a slam. The quickness of his first step along the baseline is amazing and he throws the ball into the basket so hard and fast and so high, it's unbelievable. Enjoy...

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Air
• Jordan
• Chicago
• Bulls
• 1989
• NBA

[jxn23]

Yeah they did lose this one. It was before the bulls pulled it all together in the playoffs and defeated Cleveland and New York. They lost to the eventual champion Pistons in 6 games but might have won the series had Pippen not been literally knocked out in the opening minutes of Game 6.

[uberathlete]

Word. How can people not acknowledge that MJ was a great shooter even early in his career when his field goal percentage was better than 50%? You'd think people should have common sense but apparently they don't.

[ej2901]

That last dunk was just nasty

[69points]

is it me or MJ travelled at 0:35 ??!!

[uberathlete]

There is no comparison to '87-'92 Jordan. None. That version was a machine. Comparisons only begin with an old '96-'98 Jordan, but he still was the best.

[omnivorous65]

@uberathlete It just amazes me seeing this footage. Although it's widely appreciated that he was the best player ever, it still seems people forget how good he was. He was not a particularly good 3 point shooter but his jump shot was phantastic. It is just incredible to see in how many ways he can score, on the break, in traffic, left, right, with the back to the basket, by simply accelerating and so on. And his passing game is also underrated. Whenever the defense collapses he gets an assist.

[CaptainOrgazmost]

That last dunk was freaking sick......completely blew past his defender, then elevate head and shoulders above 2 helpers and smashes it down in their faces

[rickmei3072]

@jxn23 All of us found out originally from my good friend the fact that he have got incredibly better in the game of basketball using "50inch vertical (dot) com" - maybe you want to try that

[Legend1One]

Jeff Hornicek, or better known as Horny, didn't have a chance. Like most of the guys MJ faced off against, he was to big, to strong, and to powerful! Go MJ!

[acontero]

You can't say that they played better defense back then. Just look at them out there!

[the19thletter]

i need a replay on that last dunk

[mjordanisnumber1]

wow. he put some eeeeeeenglish on that!!!!