Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Not only had Jordan won a national title in his freshman season, but he was a back-to-back Player of the Year. During those years in college basketball it really meant something to be the top guy. You’re talking about an era with guys sprinkled all over the country that were future franchise players: Charles Barkley (Auburn), Sam Perkins (North Carolina), Akeem Olajuwon (Houston), Patrick Ewing (Georgetown), Chris Mullin (St. John’s), Wayman Tisdale (Oklahoma), John Stockton (Gonzaga), Len Bias (Maryland).
Jordan’s impact on the NBA would really come to fruition during the 1986 playoffs against the legendary Boston Celtics. After missing 60-games during the regular season while recovering from a broken bone in his foot, Jordan would lead a grueling rehab program that would get him back in time for the final 22-games of the season, and prepare him for the post-season.
Not only did he come back healthy, but Jordan would use the legendary Boston Garden as his playground in the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Using an array of slashing drives, globetrotter-like dribbling moves, and Olympic track speed, Jordan would erupt for a Boston Garden record with 63-points!
Courtesy: CNN
Although this feat was most impressive and at the time unbelievable, it would be just the tip of the iceberg of things to come. Whenever I hear anyone trying to compare countless players to the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), it makes me cringe at the thought. Either they don’t know the history of the game of basketball or they’re just enamored by high-flying dunks and the occasional 40-point game.
In any case, I will be glad to assist any bonehead who wants to compare Kobe, Lebron, Vince Carter, or Tmac to his Airness. When you start a comparison between great players -past and present – you absolutely must include statistics, awards, and championships. With that being said, please check in with me for the finale of Air Jordan at 50: No Competition.
