Bulls vs. Blazers: 1986-1987. Jordan 53 points

January 8, 1987


86-87 Blazers was an incredible offensive team. Led by Kiki Vandeweghe and Clyde Drexler, a total of seven players averaged in double figures in scoring that year. (This is probably an NBA record shared with the Showtime Lakers and maybe some other teams. But since I didn't have a chance to look it up I can't say I'm 100% sure). Considering the Bulls roster that year it was almost a necessity for Jordan to have a high scoring game in order for Chicago to have a chance.

Playing partly on small forward, Jordan started the game with ultra-high intensity. With jumpers and drives he first got Drexler into foul trouble, then Jerome Kersey. Finished with 53 points on 20-34 (59%) shooting. Also assisted big baskets at the end and came up with a clean block to seal the game in the crunch even though a bogus foul was called. 53 was his regular season-career high at that time.

There was a small problem in the original broadcast and that is at the beginning of the second half, the announcers faced a technical problem and it was fixed halfway through the 4th quarter. So, in that period there's no commentary but everything is pretty obvious, so it shouldn't be a major problem I think.

Enjoy.

Post game notes & quotes:
===========================

CHICAGO - How long can the Air Jordan fly-and-drive show continue to run?

Michael Jordan stepped "forward" last night to show what a bargain he really is, scoring a regular season career-high 53 points in the Bulls' 121-117 victory over Portland.

His 53 were the most points scored by a Bulls' player at the Stadium since Chet Walker's 56 on Feb. 6, 1972. It was the 19th time this season Jordan has scored 40 or more.

He did it while playing an unusually-high 43 minutes, many at small forward. He did it because he refused to sit for his normal amount of time.

It's great theater now, but the season is not yet half over.

"A lot of people say to pace yourself, but I'm not a pacer," Jordan said. "If I burn out, I burn out. But when I play, I play hard."

Jordan is averaging 40.2 minutes a game, which is a bit more than Collins would like.

But Collins also would like his team to win, thus the temptation to over-use Jordan.

"I went into the season thinking I'd like to play him 36 to 38 minutes a game, leaning toward 38," Collins said.

Jordan sat for only 2 1/2 minutes in the first half, then two minutes at the start of the fourth quarter.

Jordan took himself out temporarily with 10 1/2 minutes left.

"I just couldn't get my wind," Jordan said. "I like to be rested at the end of the quarter. I was feeling good, but I needed a quick breather."

The Bulls led 2-0 and not again until Oakley hit a long shot to make it 98-97 with 8 1/2 minutes left. The first three-point lead was 104-101 - on a Jordan jumper.

Taking advantage of being double teamed, Jordan passed to three teammates, resulting in six key points. Including the assists on baskets by Brad Sellers, John Paxson and Charles Oakley.

His jump shot was working last night, mostly because he spent so much time at forward.

"I was getting the ball in great scoring position," he said. "When I play a lot of forward, I can post up but I got the outside shot a lot. The defense was giving me the outside shot because of my (quick) first step."

Collins saw the consequences on Portland. "He got (Jerome) Kersey in foul trouble and (Clyde) Drexler in foul trouble. They had to play Caldwell Jones more than they wanted to."

How good was Jordan last night?

"I thought it was the best game he's played all season," said Collins.

"Naw, I think the first Milwaukee game up at Milwaukee," Jordan said. "I didn't score as many, but as a team we played well."

Portland Coach Mike Schuler said Jordan has continued to improve and is tough to defend. "You can't just run at him when you get the ball. He'll just go right around you, but we had no choice except trying to double and triple-team him,"

"He gives you problems everywhere and the whole league is trying to figure out how to defense him. You ask me the best way to defense him, it's when Doug takes him out."

Doug Collins can be forgiven for not wanting to take out Jordan.

"Michael's an energetic guy. If he weren't playing basketball, he'd be out running around, shooting pool or something," Collins said. "You have to chain him to the bench."

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Category:

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Tags:

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• Blazers
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• 1987
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[honoretchou]

MJ was ungodly. He played in an age of brutal defense like the Piston's badboys and Knicks with Ewing, Oakley, Mason, guys all willing to crack your skull for the ball. And add to that the handchecking they were doing. Imagine a guy with hands the size of a baseball glove on your back. Pushing you away, unbalancing you, holding you down, it's unthinkable that MJ still shot 50 percent.

Kobe, Lebron, KG, will always be ball boys to MJ. He is Mr. Basketball.

[deadfresh10]

he should say "with the 3 second rule and without handchecking"

[badpdx]

I've seen this billed as "MJ scores 53 on Clyde Drexler" but that's a little inaccurate, since only 18 of the 53 were scored when Clyde was guarding him. Of course, that's because MJ got Clyde in foul trouble early. When Clyde was actually in the game, he played MJ pretty well. But nobody ever really stopped either of those guys.

In this game, MJ took a page out of Drexler's book and scored a large % of his points in transition, maybe more than I've ever seen from him. Great game.

[thebizkit69u]

Anyone know where to find video of Mike Schuler falling in his press conference?

[gijaleel]

Ok, MJ is killiing them, but everyone else sucks bull and blazers

[Rake2204]

I definitely watched this game a few weeks ago. Then, a few days later, I run into a random 50 year old guy at a basketball court in West Michigan. Without prompt, he begins telling me about the time he saw MJ drop 53 on Portland in '87. He even had Jordan's sick FGM/FGA numbers almost down pat. A strange coincidence for certain.

[FenslerFilm]

Wow. To be that towel boy at 9:35...Intensity. 

[EroDavid]

I would love to have Jordan on my fantasy team.. uaaaaaaoooooooo

[latinoheatwhoa]

well said honoretchou well said my friend

[bigdaddymatty17]

Wow talk about a game with offensive power. Wheres the D?

[FrsBigeasy]

Clyde the Glide Drexler vs Michael Air Jordan a Hall of Fame Matchup