80's Michael Jordan vs Mid Range Legend Alex English's High Octane Nuggets Offense

When Michael Jordan played against the late 80's Denver Nuggets, one thing was for sure.... he needed the track shoe version of his Air Jordan's because it would be a long night chasing around the Nuggets superstars. Nuggets Head Coach Doug Moe's high-octane offense led the NBA in scoring in six of his 10 seasons. The Nuggets also were in the midst of 10 consecutive winnings months of basketball.
The Denver Nuggets boasted a great trio of Michael Adams, Fat Lever, and Alex English. The Nuggets were one of the best offenses in the NBA & at this point in the season were averaging 124.1 points per game which was a call back to the early 80's where this Nuggets franchise averaged over 120ppg for 5 straight seasons. The Nuggets ended up averaging a fraction over 116ppg on the year. The Nuggets also had scored at least 100 points in 55 straight games, leading up to this contest.
The Nuggets were known for their up tempo style of play, and incredible team passing. The ball moved with such fluidity within Doug Moe's Denver Nuggets offense. Capable of a run at any time, the Nuggets were almost always within striking distance. If all else broke down, Alex English could hit a contested tough mid-range jumper from all over the court. Alex English is one of the greatest mid range shooters of all time.
Fat Lever & Michael Adams had combined to average 42pts, 13rebs, 15asts, as a duo, to this point in the season. You combine that with Alex English, who was an absolute walking bucket... and it made the Denver Nuggets a nightmare for opposing defenses all around the NBA.
During the 88-89 season
- Fat Lever had 9 Triple Doubles
- Michael Adams (great 1 handed shooter) had (30) 20 point games & (12) Double Doubles. (Adams also was in the midst of what would become a 79 consecutive game streak, with at least one 3 point shot made, in each game.)
- Alex English (HOF'er & Western Conference All-Star Starter) had:
(1) 50 point game
(4) 40 point games
(12) 35 point games
(29) 30 point games
- Walter Davis had (2) 30 point games, (12) 25 point games, (25) 20 point games
- Danny Schayes had (2) 30 point games, (13) 20 point games
So, there's your crash course on the Denver Nuggets. Michael Jordan & company had their hands full in this contest in the loaded Jordan era!
(1988-89 Season)
TIMESTAMPS:
3:32 - Game begins
4:12 - Michael Adams driving layup
4:42 - Michael Adams 3 point jumper
5:03 - Fat Lever jumper
5:46 - Michael Adams give & go and 1
6:22 - Jordan to Cartwright dunk
6:33 - Alex English jumper
6:48 - Michael Jordan layup
9:16 - Michael Jordan Come Fly With Me Commercial
9:53 - Denver Nuggets team passing
10:06 - Wayne Cooper blocks Scottie Pippen's dunk attempt
10:18 - Replay of Cooper blocking Pippen's dunk attempt
10:33 - Jordan to Pippen dunk
11:21 - Walter Davis jumper
11:50 - Horace Grant dunk
13:43 - Rick Barry's scouting report on Will Perdue's frame
14:19 - Danny Schayes elbows Michael Jordan
14:35 - Michael Adams buzzer beater
14:54 - Michael Jordan floater and 1
15:25 - Michael Jordan steal & behind the back layup
16:07 - Walter Davis jumper
16:33 - Danny Schayes strong put back
16:50 - Walter Davis jumper
16:57 - Michael Jordan post up fadeaway jumper
17:52 - Walter Davis jumper
18:00 - Scottie Pippen floater
18:26 - Alex English post up turnaround jumper
18:33 - Scottie Pippen jumper
18:45 - Michael Jordan behind the back hesi driving layup
20:05 - Michael Jordan elbows Fat Lever
20:21 - Michael Jordan twists his ankle
21:32 - Alex English inside bucket
21:49 - Scottie Pippen jumper
22:03 - Jordan to Paxson for 3
22:20 - Alex English turnaround jumper
22:54 - Alex English floater and 1
23:42 - Walter Davis jumper
23:51 - Alex English jumper and 1
24:42 - Scottie Pippen layup
24:53 - Alex English jumper
26:04 - Replay Michael Jordan driving switch of hands layup
27:00 - Alex English jumper
27:07 - Michael Jordan jumper
27:25 - Horace Grant dunks on Wayne Cooper
27:40 - Jordan to Pippen dunk on Wayne Cooper
27:55 - Jordan to Cartwright dunk
28:10 - Fat Lever give & go and 1
28:31 - Alex English drops Scottie Pippen jumper
30:00 - Walter Davis driving layup
30:08 - Wayne Cooper jumper
30:24 - Fat Lever give & go layup
31:17 - Eddie Hughes jumper
31:43 - Eddie Hughes jumper
31:48 - Michael Jordan jumper
32:00 - Walter Davis jumper
32:29 - Alex English jumper
32:33 - Michael Jordan post up bank shot
32:43 - Michael Jordan steal
33:26 - Michael Jordan fadeaway jumper
34:15 - Alex English jumper
34:43 - Alex English jumper
35:09 - Scottie Pippen jumper
35:28 - Walter Davis jumper
36:13 - Eddie Hughes 3 point jumper
38:34 - Jordan to Horace Grant dunk
38:45 - Walter Davis jumper
39:34 - Michael Jordan Odell Beckham Jr catch / save & jumper
40:12 - Gene Hackman in the crowd
40:26 - Michael Jordan jumper
40:42 - Jordan to Paxson jumper
41:56 - Michael Jordan hang time scoop layup
43:07 - Michael Jordan clutch facial dunk on 3 Denver Nuggets
45:00 - Michael Jordan free throws
46:44 - Michael Jordan free throws

[@rice_goat80]

Alex English scored the most points in the 80s

[@brianr5356]

@14:05 They would've had to call an ambulance and a stretcher if that were LeFlop James 😅

[@2nerC9]

Dude I love your videos so much. The effort and timestamps are much appreciated you earned a sub! This is the best channel to give me insight on how great MJ and the Chicago Bulls were as well as great 80's/90's NBA players. I was born in 2001 and never saw him actually play! In my mind, 80's/90's players were very bad compared to today but now I have a completely different perspective. Thank you for the dedication to this channel.

[@harissonbond7499]

Jordan's playmaking is underrated

[@sniperjay0916]

Rest in peace Mr.Walter Davis.

[@raicoserafin6055]

Great work man, I LOVE IT

[@sonnywoods6846]

Does anyone remember Save by the Bell from the 80s? At 23:36 is that the girl who played Kelly? She was a kid! I hope that not her

[@lawrencedaos3481]

Shannon sharp get over it already LeBron James will never ever become like Sir Jordan. SAY NO MORE

[@user-vw1vf5cw7d]

It's a regular season game, still they play with an intensity that we see only in NBA finals today

[@Slimpickinsorl]

39:33 Alien mode

[@petrakamilica5141]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@DavidRichardson28]

wow. pippen was trash man

[@marvinholmes5803]

Pippen sucks...Lol

[@brianr5356]

Yeah. The "stacked" team MJ supposedly played on, right?

[@trueballertv665]

All those blown assists smh!!