MJ's WORST Playoff Series

[StrongLurk]

Does anybody have less "lows" in their playoff primes compared to MJ as far as "production"? Not really factoring in win, loss, or clutch factor.

Even in his worst five series (probably 88 Pistons, 92 Knicks, 96 Sonics, 97 Hawks, 97 Heat, maybe a random 98 playoff series?), he's still out there producing at a high level. Even Lebron, who I think is second all time, has absolutely dreadful production series like the 07 Finals, 08 ECSF, 2011 Finals.

MJ was just so damn consistent even in his "bad" playoff series.

[SouBeachTalents]

Jordan legitimately never had a "bad" playoff series. The ones that come closest to that would be his '96 Finals & '97 ECF. But they don't match the lows of 2011 LeBron, 2016 Curry, 2020 Kawhi, 2004 Kobe, KD last year etc.

Come to think of it, prime Shaq honestly never had a truly bad series either.

[jlip]

Other than the '84 Finals "Tragic Johnson" moments, I don't remember Magic having that many "bad" series. I guess you could consider the '81 1st round, but I believe he had come back early from injury or something.

[StrongLurk]

Jordan legitimately never had a "bad" playoff series. The ones that come closest to that would be his '96 Finals & '97 ECF. But they don't match the lows of 2011 LeBron, 2016 Curry, 2020 Kawhi, 2004 Kobe, KD last year etc.

Come to think of it, prime Shaq honestly never had a truly bad series either.

I'd say 97 Heat is the worst strictly looking at performance/production for MJ.

30ppg, but on 39/12/86 splits. Only 2.6 apg. Bulls won that series 4-1 regardless which is pretty wild.

[Nb1]

Doncic averaged 32 pts, 9.2 rbs and 6 apg vs Warriors which would blow MJ's numbers out of the water. Must be his lowest in any playoff series?

3ball would then say Doncic > MJ :oldlol:

[StrongLurk]

Doncic averaged 32 pts, 9.2 rbs and 6 apg vs Warriors which would blow MJ's numbers out of the water. Must be his lowest in any playoff series?

3ball would then say Doncic > MJ :oldlol:

Need more of a sample size for Doncic.

[And1AllDay]

didnt mikey mouse get outscored by terry cummings vs bucks in 85' :oldlol:

43% field goal , 12% 3 pointer :oldlol:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1985-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-bucks.html

[SouBeachTalents]

didnt mikey mouse get outscored by terry cummings vs bucks in 85' :oldlol:

43% field goal , 12% 3 pointer :oldlol:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1985-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-bucks.html
If we're bringing series averaging 29/6/9/3 on 57%TS from their rookie season, you know there's not much material to work with :lol

[StrongLurk]

If we're bringing series averaging 29/6/9/3 on 57%TS from their rookie season, you know there's not much material to work with :lol

Yeah idk what that poster was trying to do. This is why MJ stans have it so easy if we are being honest. He is the easiest player to "defend" in GOAT arguments.

[SouBeachTalents]

Yeah idk what that poster was trying to do. This is why MJ stans have it so easy if we are being honest. He is the easiest player to "defend" in GOAT arguments.
The only legitimate criticism of him imo is that the 90's were a relatively weak era, there was no other great team to challenge them. He's not 3peating twice in any other decade.

[Overdrive]

The only legitimate criticism of him imo is that the 90's were a relatively weak era, there was no other great team to challenge them. He's not 3peating twice in any other decade.

Depends. Swap them for another title winning team? 2000s and 70s maybe. Add them on top? No. Wouldn't.

[mr4speed]

Other than the '84 Finals "Tragic Johnson" moments, I don't remember Magic having that many "bad" series. I guess you could consider the '81 1st round, but I believe he had come back early from injury or something.

From what I remember Magic missed 45 games in his second year and came back in regular season game #65. This would give Magic 17 regular season games to get back into his comfort zone. I believe LA knew they had a very special player and were not going to rush his comeback. LA in those 45 games won 28 and lost 17 so LA was deep enough to cover for Magic. I also found where Kareem in those 45 games put up a per game of 28.8 points and 11.3 rebounds and shot 57.7% from the floor = beast mode!

[Round Mound]

Bulls vs Magic 1994-95

[StrongLurk]

Bulls vs Magic 1994-95

I guess this one could be in consideration, but idk if it's in the bottom five. Close call with some of the other series listed in the OP.

31ppg on 48/23/80 splits. 7 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.8 blocks. Bad playmaking ratio though (3.7apg/4tov per game).

[Round Mound]

I guess this one could be in consideration, but idk if it's in the bottom five. Close call with some of the other series listed in the OP.

31ppg on 48/23/80 splits. 7 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.8 blocks. Bad playmaking ratio though (3.7apg/4tov per game).

Looking at it in the cold way that was his worst series. But facts are that he was rusty from not practicing over a year. For real Jordan never really had a bad series but maybe in the 80's but i did not watch basketball then despite the fact i love 80's b-ball.

[Round Mound]

I guess this one could be in consideration, but idk if it's in the bottom five. Close call with some of the other series listed in the OP.

31ppg on 48/23/80 splits. 7 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.8 blocks. Bad playmaking ratio though (3.7apg/4tov per game).

Looking at it in the cold way that was his worst series. But facts are that he was rusty from not practicing over a year. For real Jordan never really had a bad series but maybe in the 80's but i did not watch basketball then despite the fact i love 80's b-ball.

[ShawkFactory]

Jordan legitimately never had a "bad" playoff series. The ones that come closest to that would be his '96 Finals & '97 ECF. But they don't match the lows of 2011 LeBron, 2016 Curry, 2020 Kawhi, 2004 Kobe, KD last year etc.

Come to think of it, prime Shaq honestly never had a truly bad series either.

Shaq's "worst" series was maybe one of those Spurs ones where Duncan and Robinson were tag-teaming him. Even then he probably could have done more but with Kobe going off it wasn't really necessary.

[Axe]

I remember him 'choking' in game 3 of the 1993 ecf. Went 3/18, even though his team was still able to win the said game. :lebronamazed:

[TheMan]

If we're bringing series averaging 29/6/9/3 on 57%TS from their rookie season, you know there's not much material to work with :lol

Got 'em...

[RogueBorg]

The only legitimate criticism of him imo is that the 90's were a relatively weak era, there was no other great team to challenge them. He's not 3peating twice in any other decade.

The Bulls would easily Three-Peat this *****-soft era 2021-2023. With the number of games these betas sit out, the Bulls are winning 70-games while they're Three-Peating.

[1987_Lakers]

The Bulls would easily Three-Peat this *****-soft era 2021-2023. With the number of games these betas sit out, the Bulls are winning 70-games while they're Three-Peating.

This era doesn't have a short 3 point line like it did in the mid 90's.

[kawhileonard2]

This era doesn't have a short 3 point line like it did in the mid 90's.

This era had rule changes that favor offensive players.

[theman93]

The only legitimate criticism of him imo is that the 90's were a relatively weak era, there was no other great team to challenge them. He's not 3peating twice in any other decade.

I strongly disagree with this. The Bad Boy Pistons were a mini dynasty Chicago ended. The Jazz were a 50+ win team every year from 1989 in to the 2000's (sans 1993) and Chicago beat them the two years they broke through the West. The Blazers went to the Finals-WCF-Finals from 1990-92, but it just so happened they went up against, Isaiah, Magic, and Jordan. The Knicks are touted as one of the greatest defensive teams of any era with Pat Riley at the helm and Chicago repeatedly eliminated them. The Pacers were 4x Eastern Conference finalists in the 90's and broke through in 2000. Orlando was great in 1995 and 1996 - in fact many thought they would become their own dynasty until Penny got hurt and Shaq left.

[Da_Realist]

I'd say 97 Heat is the worst strictly looking at performance/production for MJ.

30ppg, but on 39/12/86 splits. Only 2.6 apg. Bulls won that series 4-1 regardless which is pretty wild.

Wins are different. If you're winning 4 out of 5 games, the motivation to do more really isn't there except from an ego perspective. But if you're losing and still can't produce more in order to give the team what is needed, then it could be considered a bad series.

[Da_Realist]

Looking at it in the cold way that was his worst series. But facts are that he was rusty from not practicing over a year. For real Jordan never really had a bad series but maybe in the 80's but i did not watch basketball then despite the fact i love 80's b-ball.

Plus that wasn't really his team. MJ even after a long break was the team's best player but the Bulls were not his team that year. He just added his talent to a team that had already forged its identity without him. He was the cherry on top, but he was not the cake like in the other years. It takes time to build chemistry. 17 games is not enough.

[ImKobe]

If we're bringing series averaging 29/6/9/3 on 57%TS from their rookie season, you know there's not much material to work with :lol

And that was the only series in MJ's career where anyone outscored him, and it was by 1 whole point & in his rookie season no less.

[TheMan]

And that was the only series in MJ's career where anyone outscored him, and it was by 1 whole point & in his rookie season no less.

GOAT

Meanwhile LeFraud gets outscored by bench scrub Jason Terry in his prime :facepalm

[TheMan]

This era doesn't have a short 3 point line like it did in the mid 90's.
The 3 point shot wasn't considered a premium shot back then like it is now, even with a shortened 3 point line, most teams still shot it at under double digits or just about per game. It's not like those Bulls feasted on shortened 3s so your point is both moot and stupid.

[ELITEpower23]

Probably the one where he was swept in the 1st round 3 years in a row :lol

[Da_Realist]

Probably the one where he was swept in the 1st round 3 years in a row :lol

When was that?

[dankok8]

Hmm... probably 1995 against the Magic. He was horrible in Game 1 and subpar in Game 6 both of which the Bulls lost. The Bulls lost the series as slight favorites and Jordan wasn't at his best.

Like others said, this one wasn't really that bad at all though. It was way better than the worst performances of anyone else.

[1987_Lakers]

The answer is obviously his '97 series vs Miami

[WhiteKyrie]

The only legitimate criticism of him imo is that the 90's were a relatively weak era, there was no other great team to challenge them. He's not 3peating twice in any other decade.

You can’t say that. Especially if he takes the cowardly route ala modern superstars like LeBron and Durant who either amassed two all stars by his side or joins a pre existing championship tier team.

What defines a great team to challenge them, anyway?

Do they have to beat the Bulls to be considered great? :oldlol:

late 90s Jazz were certainly a great team. As were the other 60 win teams they beat like the 96 Magic, 96 Sonics, 97 Heat and even the 98 Pacers.

Only Bronsexuals make the competition excuse. They rather excuse losing saying you lost to a great team, so they faced better competition. Than it is to beat a great team as the greatest team? It’s valuing losing over actually winning. You can only play what’s in front of you.