Michael Jordan 1989: 37pts vs Lakers

[@mt883]

Jordan's prime was really just too good to comprehend. I realize you could say that about his entire career. But his absolute prime or peak, IMO, was from '88 through '93. There's just been nobody close. Kobe and Lebron are certainly in the discussion. And one could argue they're better than '95-'98 Jordan. But neither can touch Michael at his absolute peak.

[@313Martin]

Well said

[@kOrOne79]

Great stuff. That's my favourite Jordan right there, the 89/90 version. Magic was awesome as well. I wonder how many good years he had left when he was forced into retirement. It's a real shame when you think about it.

[@howard33072]

I wish that you would have included the halftime dedication to the decade of the 80's. I remember watching this game back then and this being the channel's last NBA broadcast before 1990. So, they included that dedication to close out the year & decade.

[@andgar923]

Great upload. One of the best displays of his all around game. He showed how developed and skilled he was. Combination of high IQ, athleticism, and fundamentals.

[@MrSilkySweat]

The main thing I took away from this video is that there are several songs with the word "magic" and "fly" in them.

[@airtime23]

I hate that people don't even bring up Magic in the GOAT-discussions. For me Jordan is the best ever but people pick Kobe and Lebron at 2 and 3. What about guys like Magic ? Just because he does not look as quick as Lebron and his opponents don't look (!!) as athletic as today's player please don't forget the unbelievable skill and competitive nature these guys had !!

[@deveraux32]

GÖ-TV growing Magic was considered the greatest ever. Then TV took hold of Joran promoted the hell out if him. But in the 80s Bird and Magic were the greatest we had ever seen. Jordan was a great athlete but Magic and Bird had better skills.

[@boogieloo1831]

J Smith - no they don't have better skills. Flashier passing yes, but I'll take Jordan's skills on the perimeter, in the post and at the basket any day over both Bird and Magic - and I think they're both incredible.

[@HoustonIsImmortal]

Like a master swordsman, MJ knew every angle to utilize in order to leave his opponents ripped to shreds.

[@mt883]

This was the first year Jordan really added the 3 ball to his arsenal.

[@arkade2345]

beautiful dunk at hte end. yet again ruined by them going to hte baseline under hte basket camera! great game by MJ as always!

[@hectorlopez1069]

MJ was improving his quickness and skills to be one of the best of all-time.

[@delfra70]

@triklops i agree wholeheartedly with you on that. MJ is the GOAT, no doubt about it, but Magic, man what a freak of nature that cat was. Kobe is an all time great, top 15 all time, but Magic is top 5 all time for me. I'm old enough to remember just how bad ass he was. I've always said that i have only seen 2 perimiter players impact a game like a dominant center, and that's MJ & Magic. Both had great players around them, but make no mistake, both were the engines that drove they're teams.

[@alaskanmarine1]

TNT always has done a good job, way better than ESPN, in my opinion.

[@leonblack751]

MJ is and always will be the goat people.

[@Edd1e8]

@mt883 - Well, we disagree obviously. Jordan's numbers were down later in his career, but he worked within the offense much better compared to his earlier years where he would abandon the triangle and just go one-on-one. His post game was far better and I remember him using the defenders agression AGAINST them better than anyone who played in the league. Yes, he had less highlights for sportscenter and the youngins on KZbin, but it was far more efficient.

[@uberathlete]

True. There's so many like Bird, Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Jerry West, Russell, etc.

[@ninjabomb9346]

Magic so far down my list of greats

[@popeyeisgood]

i think it might be early 90 season too, since he is wearing aj IV and phil is the coach. but that amazing spin move is sort of weird if you look at it closely. his right foot has this little tiny step in between..awesome nonetheless.

[@6ft2220beast]

Best era

[@hectorlopez1069]

It would take to 1991 for Jordan to get his first championship of his career.

[@kareem87said5]

can you upload the videos in HD quality? that would be awesome.

[@rsx2]

Damn, check out that elbow by AC Green @ 1:10.

[@MrAntoineoris1]

Actually, Jordan was BEAST in the late 80s. In 1986-87, he averaged 37 points a game. And to go with that, he shot 49% that year which is WAY better than Kobe's or Lebron's. In 88, he won the MVP AND DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. In 89, he became a scorer AND passer. So in reality, MJ was better than Magic in the late late 80s. (87-89). So your statement is invalid. Have a nice day :)

[@hainavidotcom]

Where is the No Look Magic pass to AC Green when Jordan was on him? AC got fouled. that was a sick pass.

[@char4ever]

doug collen was the commentator, so i guess, its 1989 or 90. correct me if I am wrong.

[@Edd1e8]

Did you watch the Bulls during that time?

[@HectorHMora]

Percentage wise yes lot of shots though as usual.

[@dralger]

Best scene: 6:20 Michael Cooper's block.

[@RTR9]

I miss these days where fucking playoff seeds dont matter from 1-8 every team was superior to each other if the bulls had the 1 seed they still had to worry about the bad boy piston team who could of been a 5 seed. The Western Confrence is some what like that now every team one 50 games. The Eastern Confrence is f ing terrible now.

[@uberathlete]

@triklops Agreed. Such an insult to the other greats like Magic, Bird, Wilt, Kareem, Russell, etc.

[@raulgreen8369]

This when TNT came into cable homes in 1989 , also think the Bulls went back to Channel 9 and WGN Superstation, still had Sportschannel Chicago now in October it will NSC (NBC Sports Chicago).

[@mt883]

No! Don't be fooled just because he won his titles during those years. 88 through 93 was MJ at his absolute peak. The stats and the eyes say so. You can't possibly think 1997 or '98 Jordan was better than '89 or '90 Jordan? I don't wanna hear that "he was more knowledgeable" garbage.

[@Edd1e8]

@mt883 - 88 to 93? Maybe '91 to '98. While Jordan may have slowed atheletically, he became FAR more efficient in the mid-to-late 90's. Keep in in mind his game was not at Magic's level yet in the later 80's -- Magic won the MVP 3 of 4 years 87, 89, & 90 OVER Jordan. Yes, the kids could try to revise history all they want with KZbin uploads and highlights be the truth is Jordan became MUCH BETTER after 1991. I remember TONS of garbage games on WGN where he would jack up shots.

[@kaushiksinha793]

Peak Jordan was definitely 89 to 92 yes Jordan played smarter in the lmid to late 90s but that dosen't make him better than 89 to 92 Jordan as he had less help especially before 1992.Jordan was more efficient in 89 to 92 than 96 to 98.

[@6ft2220beast]

anyone who says lebron and kobe over magic.... uh, no way... lol... lame...