David Thompson (39pts) vs. 76ers (1978)

Damn, an at his best David Thompson is fun to watch... This game is from DT's best scoring season (27.2 points per game, just lost to George Gervin in the legendary last night scoring champion battle with Thompson scoring 73 and The Iceman replying with 63 to secure the first place). Thompson uses his athleticism to get to the basket and shoot jumpers over people's heads. Seriously, how high does he jump on those 15-footers!? January 29, 1978.

[@MrYoumitube]

Wow I can now see where MJ got a lot of influence from. David Thompson first step from standstill is remarkable...very entertaining player!

[@elijahdreamprayer6618]

MrYoumitube walked him into the HOF. Just dope.

[@apostolostv]

If only nose candy wasn't so prevalent back then, Thompson would've been a major force for years. This is like watching a slightly smaller version of MJ. That jab step that MJ loved was a Thompson staple.

[@garyth65]

David Thompson was actually MJ's idol growing up! Must be got some NC state games when he was young! Another quality download LM!

[@cschoen100]

You had to be a kid growing up in the 70s/80s like I did to appreciate his game. No Sportscenter every night to see the highlights. 6'3 at best with a 42" vertical and a killer mid range jumper. Coulda woulda shoulda....he'd be the first to admit that. Glad that he's in HOF. He deserves it

[@elijahdreamprayer6618]

cschoen100 you mean 48

[@cschoen100]

Elijah Dreamprayer66 I thought Darrell Griffiths vertical was 48" and Thompsons was 42".

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

David thompson vertical leap was 46"

[@BasketballJones48021]

He was just a ridiculous athlete and had plenty of skill/fundamentals to go along with it. Various similarities between him and younger Jordan. Such a shame that drugs and injuries basically killed his career.

[@fungames1594]

Jordan used his style to dominate the nba

[@DeeNice681]

MJ took moves from Thompson, Erving, Elgin Baylor, Walter Davis and Marques Johnson! The thing is that he improved on a lot of their moves even more though not many of his moves are original to people who watched the NBA before 1984.

[@Amick44]

He (MJ) truly did (improve steadily) in several areas throughout his career. Magic & Larry did too. Others, like Nique, Melo to name a couple, seemed content to remain scoring machines, but added little to their games.

[@Gmoneyirl]

Two of MJ's inspirations! Thank god for them!

[@1987bch]

Way ahead of his time! I’m trying to figure out why didn’t they draw up a play for him to take the last shot.

[@edscottable]

mj had david thompson present him for his hall of fame induction. reason cited: "he was my idol. we didn't have a cbs affiliate in wilmington when i was growing up so i didn't get to see nba basketball." he was however able to see plenty of david thompson. the way mj faced up and his first step when he was young seems to bear thompson influence. when he became a tarheel you can also over time begin to see walter davis, maybe even some phil ford influence. this doesn't take anything away from mj however. he is the first of HIS kind. the basketball establishment was a bit more ready for individual players, so you see that reflected in his game. he was able to take liberties that thompson, and erving couldn't.

[@edscottable]

***** no question. i'm finding some good discussion on these posts that showcase some of the older guys. today's athleticism is cool, but i like to see some skill and gamesmanship also which brings me back to these older joints.

[@chuckweicha1]

One of the worst trades in NBA history was Bonby Jones for George McGinnis...and of course DT had his problems but the Nuggets had a run where they played really good fun basketball in those days

[@MoMoJohnny]

BEAST!

[@MichaelToebe-o5y]

Excellent at squaring his shoulders, getting elevation on his shot and hitting the middie.

[@stlshow629]

He abused Dr. J.

[@mrlafayette1964]

dont know about that.His dad was a businessman here in NC and made good $ so pretty sure they had a tv,and anyone with a tv got all the networks.

[@master-kq3nw]

great game

[@ShunyamNiketana]

We won't call him for dragging that pivot foot on the little shake move before the first dunk.

[@lakerstr8killurteam]

Mj stole many of Thompsons moves

[@24ayatollahrocknroll]

WOW!

[@lakerstr8killurteam]

lol so mj made up all his moves? lol at 0:38 is a move that he studies and mastered from mr.thompson and he also studied jerry west dr j baylor and possible oscar. no mj learned A LOT from his elder same as kobe both study people before their time and implement it into their own game. to say mj learned just a bit from his elder is crazy. he learned A LOT

[@truthspeaks1304]

Cesar Zapata 🐐 Jordan vs Copycat Kobe Seasons Kobe 20 an 🐐 Jordan 15 Rings 🐐 Jordan 6 > Kobe 5 Finals Mvps 🐐 Jordan 6 > Kobe 2 Mvps 🐐 Jordan 5 > Kobe 1 Scoring Titles 🐐 Jordan 10 > Kobe 2 Defensive Player Of Year 🐐 Jordan 1 > Kobe 0 60+ Win Teams eliminated playoffs 🐐 Jordan 7 > Kobe 1 🐐 Jordan > Copycat Kobe

[@DeeNice681]

Game was tape delayed but he probably stuck down stairs stayed up and caught it at 11:30!

[@jojoofori808]

u should have some george gervin videos

[@lakerstr8killurteam]

little things? where they little if they helped him improve his game? NO

[@lakerstr8killurteam]

and its funny that you think kobe learned everything from mj. he learned from baylor west michael hakeem and many more. and plus i have nothing against mj one of the all time greats i just cant stand his fan base who are delusional thinking michael jordan was this untouchable god who couldn't help but win thats all, and the ones who think mj is the goat cause of his shoes

[@truthspeaks1304]

Cesar Zapata 🐐 Jordan vs Copycat Kobe Seasons Kobe 20 an 🐐 Jordan 15 Rings 🐐 Jordan 6 > Kobe 5 Finals Mvps 🐐 Jordan 6 > Kobe 2 Mvps 🐐 Jordan 5 > Kobe 1 Scoring Titles 🐐 Jordan 10 > Kobe 2 Defensive Player Of Year 🐐 Jordan 1 > Kobe 0 60+ Win Teams eliminated playoffs 🐐 Jordan 7 > Kobe 1 🐐 Jordan > Copycat Kobe