List of Michael Jordan "Statement Games"

[Iceman#44]

Another user on the board give me the idea to make a topic about Jordan Statement games. Im just talking about games and not single plays or things like that.
Can someone help me with this list?

Here some of the statement games by MJ that i can think of right now:

02.12.1985 - CHICAGO BULLS VS DETROIT PISTONS
In 1985 Michael played his very first All-Star Game. Little did he know, there was a bit of a fix in on him. Several players on the Eastern Conference team, allegedly led by Chicago's own Isiah Thomas, chose to purposely not pass the ball to Michael.He played 22 minutes finishing with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
This would later be known as the "Freeze Out Game" of Michael Jordan.
Jealousy that Weekend by NBA veterans was said to be very high over Jordan.
Two Nights later, Isiah Thomas led his Detroit Pistons into the Chicago Stadium to face Jordan & the Bulls. Jordan finished the game with 49 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Bulls defeated the Pistons in Overtime 139-126


06.03.1992 - CHICAGO BULLS VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Shrug. It was Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals and the Chicago Bulls were taking on the Portland Trail Blazers. The series was being pitted as a rivalry between Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan, with some reporters daring to suggest that perhaps Drexler had caught up to Jordan in the best-player-alive debate.
Fueled by this, Michael Jordan went and dropped 39 points in the game, including 35 points with six 3-pointers in the first half. Jordan wasn’t even a 3-point shooter, but it didn’t matter. He was hot, and he was letting them fly. It all culminated with Jordan hitting that triumphant sixth 3 of the half and, as the crowd lost its mind and his teammates cackled on the bench, Jordan turned and shrugged.

01.16.1993 - CHICAGO BULLS VS ORLANDO MAGIC
MJ welcomed Shaq's first visit to Chicago with one of his classic statement games. Shaq's fanfare as the next great player meant MJ had to assert his supreme dominance yet again. Having an injured shooting wrist, MJ practiced lefty jumpers before the game. But as usual, an injured MJ was usually a deadlier MJ and he broke 60 points without needing a three because his already unmatchable mid-range game was raised to absurd proportions. Unfortunately for MJ, with the game close and going to OT, Horace Grant committed a crucial turnover in the last minute which made his performance go to waste. But the statement was made. Jordan finished with 64 points.
“The points don’t make a difference to me,” Jordan said. “It’s just wasted energy in a sense because we didn’t finish the game the way we should have. ‘We just gave away the game. ‘We played good enough, but we just made some dumb plays. When you blow a six-point lead in less than a minute, there is something wrong with that. Getting 64 points doesn’t mean anything when you lose.”

[Iceman#44]

03.20.1993 - WASHINGTON BULLETS VS CHICAGO BULLS
The "LaBradford Smith Game"
The Bulls were scheduled for a back to back vs the Bullets. On march 19 in Chicago, Washington had taken a 90-89 lead 5 minutes to play in the game when Jordan scored the next 11 Bulls points in this final stretch as they managed to win the game 104- 99. Despite the win, Jordan was mad, mainly because LaBradford Smith scored 37 points.
The teams were scheduled to play again in just 24 hours, and on the plane for Washington an amused Phil Jackson mercilessly rode him: "LaBradford Smith dropped 37 on you. LaBradford Smith". Jordan told Jackson on the flight that he would have Smith's 37 by halftime. And he keeps promise. Well, almost. He scored 36 points in the 1st half of the game, missing 1 free throw with 3 seconds to go in the second quarter.
"I told myself that the 37 points he gave me Friday night, I wanted to give him in the first half," said Jordan, who had 19 in the first quarter, mostly on jumpers. "I missed that free throw {at the end of the second quarter}, and it made me mad.
"I was going to come out and see how I felt, and see if I could just ride it. I got hot. I saw the goal pretty good, and I just shot it and I got in a good rythmn."
Said Bulls coach Phil Jackson: "Michael was ready to play {Smith} tonight. He had a little bit of vengeance. It seemed to be a personal vendetta for the first 10 minutes of the game. I think the message was sent and delivered, and everybody was all right from then on out."
Jordan finished with 47 points in an easy Bulls win.

01.14.1996 - PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS CHICAGO BULLS
Let’s go back to the summer of 1995 in North Carolina where UNC alum face off against each other every year. Michael Jordan was coming off of his 1st year back in the league that ended with him turning the ball over to Nick Anderson and an early playoff exit to the Orlando Magic – the last team to beat a Jordan/Bulls team. Jerry Stackhouse was coming off his spectacular sophomore season and was ready to challenge MJ for the title of most electrifying UNC shooting guard in the NBA. His first challenges came that summer at a Tarheel warm up session where Stack supposedly did more than hold his own against the Goat. So much so that he even let the media know about how he was able to beat Jordan 1-on-1.
MJ never said anything in the media about Stackhouse’s comments and he didn’t respond to Stack’s teammate Vernon Maxwell who made a lot of comments to the media about not caring about MJ’s return, but when the now famous 72-10 Bulls faced off against Stackhouse and his lottery bound 76ers, MJ let his actions do all the talking.
Jordan went off for 48 points (18-28fg) & 10 rebounds in 3 quarters. Stackhouse & Maxwell combined for 5 field goals & 17 points in a 27 point loss.

11.06.1996 - MIAMI HEAT VS CHICAGO BULLS
Bulls first meeting with Riley's Heat after the sweep in the 96 Playoffs. A lot of guys from Miami talked about waiting for this game for a long time and so on. Tim Hardaway say that he wants to guard Jordan.
MJ finished with 50 points on 18 for 33 from the field, Bulls won 106-100.
"He was hitting everything," Heat guard Dan Majerle said.
"You know Michael, he comes for 50," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "When he's 40, he'll want to make a statement."
MJ incentive may also have been a Miami newspaper story Wednesday under the headline, "Hardaway wants to guard Jordan." In the story, Heat guard Tim Hardaway said he relished the opportunity.
Jordan's reaction? He told teammates he expected to have a big night.
"He saw what was written in the paper," Pippen said. "He came out as a personal challenge to Hardaway, whether he admits it or not."

[Iceman#44]

01.21.1997 - CHICAGO BULLS VS NEW YORK KNICKS
The famous "Van Gundy game".
A few days before this game, Jeff Van Gundy says in a radio interview that Jordan sometimes tries to "con" his opponents by befriending them off the court only to torch them on it.
The comments resurfaced in Tuesday's Chicago Tribune, where Jordan saw them.
"It was probably a tactical mistake by the coach of the Knicks to attack Michael in the press. I thought he went out and played with a vendetta, a score to settle," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.
After Jordan reached the 51-point mark with a 20-foot, fade-away jumper over Allan Houston - giving the Bulls an 88-81 lead with 26.7 seconds left - he yelled at Van Gundy.
Jordan was 18-of-30 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and 10-of-11 from the line for 51 points.

02.02.1997 - SEATTLE SONICS VS CHICAGO BULLS
Trying to challenge Jordan's pride, George Karl said before the game that MJ was afraid to go to the basket and was trying to protect himself in the latter stages of his career.
Jordan was not happy. His Airness exploded with 45 points on 19 for 28 from the field. MJ did just what Karl ordered. He annihilated the Sonics with a torrid arsenal of finesse jumpers en route to 68% shooting for 45pts. Chicago went up by 18 at the 4th and MJ just cruised to victory - not even trying to push for 50. The message was loud and clear and there was no need to pour salt into Karl's wound.

[livinglegend]

The game where he went 1-9 without pippen was career defining.

[Iceman#44]

The game where he went 1-9 without pippen was career defining. Ok...But You know i just love The game, im not a stan of mj. I would like some
serious reply. also i would love to make something similar for The other legends like bird kobe lbj wilt kareem...

[NBAGOAT]

excellent list. Wouldn't something like the flu game count too or are you just going for notable regular season games.

[livinglegend]

Ok...But You know i just love The game, im not a stan of mj. I would like some
serious reply. also i would love to make something similar for The other legends like bird kobe lbj wilt kareem...

It's a serious reply.
1-9 will stay with MJ forever.

[SexSymbol]

The game where he went 1-9 without pippen was career defining.
what an awful attempt at a joke

[Iceman#44]

excellent list. Wouldn't something like the flu game count too or are you just going for notable regular season games. Im using Games when he is challenged in some ways to prove something. The flu game was amazing But its not part of this category. :)

[Iceman#44]

This too.


1993 - NBA FINALS, GAME 4
The Bulls had lost game 3 to the Phoenix Suns in triple overtime. MJ missed a critical free throw and 15 of his last 24 shots, while being defended by Kevin Johnson. After the game, Kevin spent 2 days answering questions about how he had become finally the one to stop Jordan. MJ was not happy of course.
He says before game 4 to Magic Johnson "They think he stopped me. Well, lets see if he can stop me now". Jordan then scored 55 points in game 4, his career NBA Finals high.

1996 - CHICAGO VS DETROIT
Grant Hill had been the most voted player to the 1996 NBA All Star Game. A lot of talk about him being the "next MJ" was made.
In early march, MJ want to make a statement against another Air Apparent. Michael hit 14 of his first 16 shots, scoring 53 points against Hill just to prove who was the alpha dog.

[imdaman99]

While I do think MJ is the goat, the narrative that he always came up big when it mattered is myth. 1993 game 3 in the eastern conference finals, being down 0-2? Granted he has a lot lesser f'ups than any other all time great, but he is not infallible. Had they lost game 3, the series would have been over. He did have an all time great Game 4, but that's just what goats do.

[kurple]

It's a serious reply.
1-9 will stay with MJ forever.

You act like 1-9 is something.

What was Kobe without Phil?
Steph without Kerr and Klay?
Duncan without Pop?
Kareem without Magic?
Lebron without Wade?

Every all time great have had great teammates and coaches

MJ is 6-6 and will be the undisputed GOAT for a long time

[SamuraiSWISH]

Don't forget the statement moment when 39 year old MJ ran down Ron Mercer playing for his Bulls, and pinned his shit against the glass with two hand in absolutely dominant EPIC fashion. My god he looked so intense.

[livinglegend]

You act like 1-9 is something.

What was Kobe without Phil?
Steph without Kerr and Klay?
Duncan without Pop?
Kareem without Magic?
Lebron without Wade?

Every all time great have had great teammates and coaches

MJ is 6-6 and will be the undisputed GOAT for a long time

Yes it is something. His teams were one of the most stacked teams of all-time.
Without his stacked teams, he was 1-9.
Russell won 11 rings. The same MJ stans use the stacked argument to discredit his rings.
Russell is the GOAT, not MJ.

[tmacattack33]

While I do think MJ is the goat, the narrative that he always came up big when it mattered is myth. 1993 game 3 in the eastern conference finals, being down 0-2? Granted he has a lot lesser f'ups than any other all time great, but he is not infallible. Had they lost game 3, the series would have been over. He did have an all time great Game 4, but that's just what goats do.

Most big time sports narratives are myths.

Most people, fortunately, have more important things to do and don't have the time to actually research everything they say about sports.

[Iceman#44]

Don't forget the statement moment when 39 year old MJ ran down Ron Mercer playing for his Bulls, and pinned his shit against the glass with two hand in absolutely dominant EPIC fashion. My god he looked so intense.
This is maybe My favorite single play ever by mj. But in this thread im talking about Games.

[diamenz]

The game where he went 1-9 without pippen was career defining.

we get it - you don't like mj.

[sportjames23]

The game where he went 1-9 without pippen was career defining.

How about where he went 6 for 6 in the Finals? What did your boy do again, fggt?

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

1) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #1 | NBA Career High: 69 Points/18 Reb/6 Asist/4 Steal/1 Block Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavailers Full Match (28/03/1990)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O5h9XaoDWs

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

2) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #2 | Michael Jordan 64 Points/6Reb/5Steals vs. Rookie Shaquille O'Neal 29Pts/24Reb Chicago Bulls 124-128 Orlando Magic (16/01/1993)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_XGarFl5FQ

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

2) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #3 | Michael Jordan 63 Points/5 Reb/6 Asist/4 Steal vs. Larry Bird 36 Points/12 Assist/6 Reb : NBA Playoffs 1985 Round 1 Game 2 Chicago Bulls 131-135 Boston Celtics Full Match (20/04/1986)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjjCQmt3UZU

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

4) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #4 | Michael Jordan 61 Points/10 Reb/4 Steal vs. Dominique Wilkins 34 Points/6 Reb : NBA Regular Season 1987-1988 Chicago Bulls 114-117 Atlanta Hawks Full Match (16/04/1987)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifmttnUpasI

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

5) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #5 | Michael Jordan 61 Points/7 Reb/3 Asist/3 Steal/3 Block vs. Isiah Thomas 31 Points/18 Assist/5 Reb : NBA Regular Season 1987-1988 Chicago Bulls 125-120 Detroit Pistons Full Match (04/03/1987)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNt_bPLVobo

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

6) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #6 | Michael Jordan 59 Points/4 Reb/6 Asist vs. Isiah Thomas 24 Points/8 Assist - Joe Dumars 18 Points/8 Assist: NBA Regular Season 1988-1989 Chicago Bulls 112-110 Detroit Pistons Full Match (03/04/1988)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7vZEJnFymU

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

7)Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #7 | Michael Jordan 58 Points/8 Reb/3 Asist : NBA Regular Season 1986-1987 Chicago Bulls 128-113 New Jersey Nets Full Match (03/04/1988)

---soon----

8) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #8 | Michael Jordan 57 Points/10 Asist : NBA Regular Season 1992-1993 Chicago Bulls 107-98 Washington Bullets Full Match (23/12/1992)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDGMC7TlmRk

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

9) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #9 | Michael Jordan 56 Points/5 Reb/5 Asist/4 Steals : NBA Playoffs 1992 Round 1 Game 3 | Chicago Bulls 119-114 Miami Heat (29/04/1992)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9SzcziEr_Q

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

10) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #10 | Michael Jordan 55 Points/7 Reb/2 Steals : NBA Playoffs 1997 Round 1 Game 2 | Chicago Bulls 109-104 Washington Bullets (29/04/1992)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMzh4rDsodA

[esmile]

Michael Jordan All 50 + Points Full Games Series:

11) Michael Jordan 50+ Points Games Series #11 | Michael Jordan 55 Points : NBA Regular Season 1994-1995 | Chicago Bulls 113-111 New York Knicks (28/03/1995)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VVwimDeUPU

[Ainosterhaspie]

Nice thread OP. Would be nice if people could just let this thread be about what it's supposed to be instead of peddling agendas everywhere. Look forward to reading more actually relevant content. ATGs making statements is sweet to watch and remember, and should be appreciated even if you don't like the guy.

Feel like this is one thread where I'm actually interested in what 3ball has to say assuming he can stay on topic instead of chasing bait.

[Phoenix]

That Bulls-Magic game in 93.... MJ had 64 points mostly on jump shots with only one 3 pointer and nine free throws, and the final score of 128-124 reads like something out of 2020, with seven total 3s between the two teams. Nobody who started watching nba ball in the past half decade could fathom that.