Jordan at his best: 90, 91 or 92 year?

[Gregoire]

Finally discuss: which was really peak Jordan - best version of him overall?
Going by the numbers and athletic ability these maybe 90. Going by perfection its 91 obviously. But as an overall basketball player and ability wasnt he even better in 92?
If we assume RS, then my ranks:
1990
1991
1992
PS:
1991
1992
1990 (but aside winning bias maybe this playoff run was most dominant)
Overall I dont know, 91 was just pure perfection, 90 - pure domination and 92 like ultimate basketball player ever. What do you think?

[Quotatious]

1991 over 1990 just because of winning the title. Otherwise, both are equal. You might even give 1990 an edge for regular season (I mean raw numbers, but his efficiency was actually a little better in 1991) He was getting gradually more comfortable as a team player as years passed, so as you said, 1991 MJ was the perfect basketball player. His trolling of Magic (I mean he averaged 11.4 APG to Magic's 12.4 but his team won 4-1) in the finals did it for me.

1992 is clearly below both.

[ShaqAttack3234]

I think what has to be remembered when comparing the success in '90 to '91 is not only how much Pippen had improved in multiple facets of the game and became much more consistent, while the entire team just gelled more having more time together in a second season under Phil. What's also extremely important is how much Detroit had fallen off, and Isiah being banged up as opposed to the '90 playoffs when he was great and his shot was falling. In fact, he was much better in the '90 playoffs than '89. Detroit was into a rapid decline by '91 that would see them lose to the Knicks in the first round, so finally getting past Detroit is not only due to the Bulls improvement. In fact, their '90 win vs Philly was impressive. Philly was better in '90 than '91, and they beat them in 5 despite Pippen missing game 4 due to his father's death.

As for MJ's play in '90 and '91, I see very little difference. I didn't see him suddenly trusting his teammates more or playing more in the flow of the offense in '91. He was already making quick decisions, and had adjusted to playing off the ball more and taking more jumpers in '90 as opposed to his more ball-dominant role under Collins, particularly late in '89 when he switched to PG. In fact, the only difference in MJ's approach in '91 is that he looked for his shot more early because the Bulls were finally good enough to limit his minutes a bit, which they'd been planning to do for several seasons, but were never able to.

Smaller differences would be that I'd say he was even slightly quicker in '90, and probably a bit stronger in '91, but I wouldn't say either really had an impact on his play. I did like that he was shooting 3s in '90, and shooting them well. I thought it made him as complete as you could be offensively, and he already had the ability to punish smaller guards in the post, just ask Hersey Hawkins. His defense was also at least as good in '90 as '91.

Really, '90 and '91 are a toss up to me as far as MJ's play. I can understand the additional team success as a sort of tiebreaker, even if I don't think that came because MJ did more. On the contrary, I believe that was a result of MJ having to do less. Even though numbers hardly do his play justice, don't forget that MJ was a 34/7/6 player in the '90 season and then 37/7/7 player in the postseason while being on the best perimeter players in the game. What makes it so remarkable is that he did this on a team that won 55 games(after a slow start perhaps adjusting to their new coach and system) and lost in game 7 of the ECF to the defending champs who would win their second straight title. That type of scoring burden, much less the all around play is what you expect from only the most talented players in an unusual season, and on a fringe playoff team. Much less on a legitimate title contender, or on the efficiency MJ did it on.

'92 is interesting because it may have been the peak of his mid-range game pre-retirement, arguably his defensive peak and the year his added bulk became noticeable. His numbers fell again, but that's because the Bulls continued to improve. Pippen made another noticeable step forward and had really grown into his point forward role by this point, while Grant added muscle and became a more consistent defender and his first prime season, while BJ also improved noticeably and the Bulls were a well-oiled machine at this point with the confidence of a title, but the drive not to be satisfied with it. This may very well have been the best Bulls team ever. They didn't dominate the playoffs as thoroughly as the '91 Bulls, but they also faced better competition.

It's really difficult to choose any of these 3 seasons.

[Lost92Bricks]

90 = 91 >> 92

92 is when he started relying on his jumpshot too much, he also bulked up too much IMO, and wasn't as relentless of a slasher as he was from 85-91.

Honestly, what makes Jordan's 92 season better than his 96 season other than his finals series?

[ShaqAttack3234]

Honestly, what makes Jordan's 92 season better than his 96 season other than his finals series?

Defense stands out instantly. Jordan was still very good defensively in '96, but arguably the biggest difference in 1st 3peat MJ and 2nd 3peat MJ was that Jordan started conserving energy a bit during the 2nd 3peat so he wasn't quite the relentless force defensively while dropping 30+ that he had been during the 1st 3peat. He was clearly more athletic as well, and because of that, a better playmaker in '92. He also had more of that "extra gear" when he needed it in '92 than '96. The man averaged 34.5 ppg for a championship playoff run with 7 of those games coming against a really tough Knick team. That's pretty incredible.

[Gregoire]

Right now I maybe have 92 Jordan as the best peak player ever ability-wise, but in 91 team just needed better perfomance from him...

[Quotatious]

Right now I maybe have 92 Jordan as the best peak player ever ability-wise, but in 91 team just needed better perfomance from him...

Why 92 over 93 for that matter? Those two are equal in my mind, maybe I'd even give a slight edge to 93 for his three point shooting (over 35% on almost 3 attempts per game during the regular season and even better in the playoffs - 39% on almost 4 3PA). He also averaged 41 PPG in the finals that year.
IMO both are clearly below 90 and 91, but it's worth considering 1993 if you're looking at 1992, too.

[RSCD3_]

Lets ask ourselves this

Best playmaking year for others
Defensive peak
Midrange peak
Off ball Peak
Athletic Peak
Basketball iq peak

Then pick the number in the combined median

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[ShaqAttack3234]

Why 92 over 93 for that matter? Those two are equal in my mind, maybe I'd even give a slight edge to 93 for his three point shooting (over 35% on almost 3 attempts per game during the regular season and even better in the playoffs - 39% on almost 4 3PA). He also averaged 41 PPG in the finals that year.
IMO both are clearly below 90 and 91, but it's worth considering 1993 if you're looking at 1992, too.

A bit more athletic in '92, and was fatigued to some degree as was the entire team coming off the deep playoff runs, and in Jordan and Pippen's case, the Olympics.

[Ginobili]

Right now I maybe have 92 Jordan as the best peak player ever ability-wise, but in 91 team just needed better perfomance from him...

Why 92 over 93 for that matter? Those two are equal in my mind, maybe I'd even give a slight edge to 93 for his three point shooting (over 35% on almost 3 attempts per game during the regular season and even better in the playoffs - 39% on almost 4 3PA). He also averaged 41 PPG in the finals that year.
IMO both are clearly below 90 and 91, but it's worth considering 1993 if you're looking at 1992, too.

The 1993 Suns were a more offense oriented team, thats why Jordan scored more, but i dont think he was a better player.

In fact, i think he regressed a bit athleticaly.


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[Dipper 13]

Right now I maybe have 92 Jordan as the best peak player ever ability-wise, but in 91 team just needed better perfomance from him...

Daily Herald - January 24, 1992

Michael Jordan - He is still the best player in the NBA. But he has performed a new role this season, filling gaps whenever the club needed a spark, either offensively or defensively. He is still obsessed with winning the scoring title, which is unfortunate, but he is human. In terms of all-around play within a team concept, this has been his best half-season. Grade A+

[Gregoire]

Right now I maybe have 92 Jordan as the best peak player ever ability-wise, but in 91 team just needed better perfomance from him...

Daily Herald - January 24, 1992

Michael Jordan - He is still the best player in the NBA. But he has performed a new role this season, filling gaps whenever the club needed a spark, either offensively or defensively. He is still obsessed with winning the scoring title, which is unfortunate, but he is human. In terms of all-around play within a team concept, this has been his best half-season. Grade A+

Do you have full article?

[Dipper 13]

That's all there is on Jordan, the rest is a Bulls mid-season review.

[Gregoire]

That's all there is on Jordan, the rest is a Bulls mid-season review.

Its very interesting to read something about them at the time...

[aol4532]

I don't know which version is the best, but none of those versions are perfect or ultimate. 89-90 Jordan had a chance to show how much impact he really had or overcome(when Phil was a rookie and before Pippen broke out and become a star, i.e 20+ PER), and he couldn't even beat a Piston team with no one with a PER over 18).

The thing about Jordan is that when he had the best team, his competition was weak, and when he had a weak team, his competition was strong, so you can never tell how much impact he had compared to his contemporaries. If you had reversed his supporting cast from the 90's to the 80's, then I think we'd get a much better idea. My guess is he'd win no more than 1 or 2 championships(slightly inferior in the 80's, vastly inferior in the 90's. I think his best shot would be in the 80s. Can't really see them beating the Knicks and Magic, and then the WCF opponent in the 90's, with that 80's cast).

[PCProductions]

I'm a 92 guy, but then again, I'm personally big on the do-it-all kinda guy who has clearly mastered the game and almost oversees the court like a quarterback or free safety, and 92 Jordan was that guy.

[JordansBulls]

1991 for me. He was statistically at his best in the season and playoffs and then dominated against another top 5 player all time who also finished 2nd in MVP voting that season. I think 1992 Jordan would have been better overall but he took a step back from doing everything once he won his first title and that is why his numbers were down across the board. He didn't focus as much on numbers but rather getting more of his teammates going in handling the rock and shooting, etc.

[Dipper 13]

Its very interesting to read something about them at the time...

Full Article

Spoiler:

The midterm report.

How do you grade the individual members of the Bulls at the halfway point of a brilliant 35-5 season?

Throw out the curve. The team is too good.

So trying to be as tough as possible, here are the midterm report cards.

Michael Jordan - He is still the best player in the NBA. But he has performed a new role this season, filling gaps whenever the club needed a spark, either offensively or defensively. He is still obsessed with winning the scoring title, which is unfortunate, but he is human. In terms of all-around play within a team concept, this has been his best half-season. Grade — A+

Scottie Pippen - During a game at Chicago Stadium last month, Pippen took a defensive rebound, dribbled through a crowd to the open floor, then dribbled past the back of the defender on the other end and rammed home a vicious dunk. It was the most powerful move of the season. Pippen is a star now, with as much pride in his defense as his offense. He is a more all-around contributor than Jordan this season, though he too is obsessed with his national recognition. He and Horace Grant are the reasons Jordan finally got his title. And Pippen's improved play this season, during which he has had maybe two bad games, promises a second title. Grade — A+

Horace Grant — The third Musketeer, awaiting word on his first all star bid. Grant has shrugged off Charles Oakley disease, and now fights for rebounds in order to get his shots and points. He, too, wants more recognition, but he gets it from his teammates and is the kind of man who appreciates a quick, "Good work." When he fails, everyone knows it because the Bulls get killed on the boards. It just hasn't happened often. Grade — A.

Bill Cartwright — An injury kept him out of action for more than a month, and he has been slow to return,especially on offense. But his showing Tuesday against Phoenix promises greater contributions. Because the Bulls have four centers, Cartwright will be pushed by the bench, which should help his production. But his moves seem to have slowed a bit and perhaps he is showing his age. Grade — B.

John Paxson — Another veteran getting pushed from the bench, Paxson has proven to be a key defensive contributor as well as an offensive threat. He stymied Isiah Thomas on Sunday and seems to get one offensive foul call per game against the opposition's point guard. His shot has started falling and his NBA Finals performance has given him an even greater pride about his ability to contribute. B.J. Armstrong will have to fight to get Paxson moved to the bench. Grade — B +.

B.J. Armstrong — He is a defensive liability and is a target of coach Phil Jackson for lack of toughness. But Armstrong can shoot and is a perfect weapon for the second team. Also, he has shown a little more willingness to run the offense when necessary, although his turnovers have to be reduced. A good, if not great, sixth man. Grade — B.

Stacey King — He was a great starter, but he gets mixed reviews as a bench player. Whether that is because he doesn't try as hard off the bench is a good question. He is a happier man than he was last season and makes offensive contributions whenever he plays. He still has a problem with turnovers, and defensively he still needs work. Grade — B.

Bobby Hansen — What a great addition to the team! His work ethic alone contributes to the club, and he can spot up and shoot in a manner similar to Paxson. He's slow defensively and uses as many of his 6 fouls per game as he can. He is just one tough cookie. Grade — B + .

Cliff Levingston — He cries too much about playing time, but when he plays he contributes with a rebounding fervor and a Bad Boy edge on defense. He takes a jump shot that causes fans to hold their breath, but he gets the job done. Grade — B +

Will Perdue — He failed as a starter but has come on in the last month to show his value off the bench. His rebounding average per game is fourth best on the team but he ranks second in rebounds per minutes played to Scott Williams. He still screws up those outlet passes but has become a big fan favorite. His free throw shooting is embarrassing. Grade — B.

Scott Williams — Another slightly unhappy camper who does a decent job when called upon. He wants to score more but won't, and as the youngest player on the team, he remains the most immature. But find a better 11th man on any other NBA team. Grade — B.

Craig Hodges — An injury kept him out of action for a while and he is playing only 5 minutes a game. But he has accepted his drop to 12th man and tries to play the role of good veteran team leader. Defensively, perhaps the least effective player on the team. Grade — C.

[Dipper 13]

I'm a 92 guy, but then again, I'm personally big on the do-it-all kinda guy who has clearly mastered the game and almost oversees the court like a quarterback or free safety, and 92 Jordan was that guy.

He even called himself a "utility" player.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCJR0RiRadI&t=5m22s

[PCProductions]

I'm a 92 guy, but then again, I'm personally big on the do-it-all kinda guy who has clearly mastered the game and almost oversees the court like a quarterback or free safety, and 92 Jordan was that guy.

He even called himself a "utility" player.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCJR0RiRadI&t=5m22s

I dunno how you do what you do, but I'm glad we have you around.