If Jordan didn't get hurt in 2002

[CavaliersFTW]

MJ was also a legit MVP candidate at that point.

[Greg Oden 50]

No.

I'd neg you if I could. Incoming tomorrow. Be prepared.

MJ was good that season, but not an MVP.

lol

[Owl]

After defeating the Kings on February 7, the Wizards were 26-21. They were on a 5 game win streak and had won 7 out of 8. He was averaging 25.2 PPG/6.2 RPG/5.3 APG/1.5 SPG on 42.1% shooting. Also the standings after the games on February 7:


[LIST=1][*]Nets(32-15)[*]Bucks(28-18)[*]Raptors(29-21)[*]Celtics(28-21)[*]Wizards(26-21)[*]Pistons(26-21)[*]Sixers(25-24)[*]Magic(25-24)
-----------------------[*]Pacers(25-25)[*]Hornets(23-25)[/LIST]


MJ was also a legit MVP candidate at that point. If MJ remains healthy, where do they finish? And a side note, what a collapse by the Bucks.

He was shooting about 10% worse from the field than he was in his prime (and getting to the line way less often opening up the efficiency gap even further), admitted the whole league was shooting worse than in MJ's prime but he ended up with a .468 TS% that year, most unJordanesque.

He probably wasn't a real MVP candidate at that point though his name may have been mentioned, because (a) people like writing MVP articles too early in the season and even throwing in names that will never win it because it will be forgotten by the time voting actually rolls round and (b) he's Michael Jordan. it sells papers.

And I think the blunt truth is MJ just doesn't stay healthy. He was always chasing conditioning (he hadn't stayed in shape since his 2nd retirement), or managing tendinitis (iirc) or trying to compensate for one injury and risking another.

MJ was very good for a wing his age. He was also a substantial distance off what he had been even in '98.

fwiw I think MJ is the GOAT.

[guy]

The biggest problem was BOTH Jordan and Rip got hurt at different stages in the year. They were the two best players on that team and they only started together 30 times all year and went 17-13 in those games. If those two were healthy throughout the year, they would've definitely made the playoffs and been a threat to anyone in the East, a conference who's 1st seed only won 52 games. I'd say they very well could've made it to the Finals only to get destroyed by the Lakers. That has less to do with Jordan and much more to do with how horrible the Eastern Conference was. Along with 2003 and 2007, it was easily one of the worst years for that conference. Of course, injuries happen, and a 38 year old getting injured isn't uncommon, so its not really some big what if.

[SamuraiSWISH]

The biggest problem was BOTH Jordan and Rip got hurt at different stages in the year. They were the two best players on that team and they only started together 30 times all year and went 17-13 in those games. If those two were healthy throughout the year, they would've definitely made the playoffs and been a threat to anyone in the East, a conference who's 1st seed only won 52 games. I'd say they very well could've made it to the Finals only to get destroyed by the Lakers. That has less to do with Jordan and much more to do with how horrible the Eastern Conference was. Along with 2003 and 2007, it was easily one of the worst years for that conference. Of course, injuries happen, and a 38 year old getting injured isn't uncommon, so its not really some big what if.

Best post in the thread.

[guy]

And yes, there was MVP talk for him. Kinda like there was MVP talk for Melo this year and Tony Parker last year. He obviously wasn't going to win it over the likes of Tim Duncan.

[Smoke117]

He was shooting about 10% worse from the field than he was in his prime (and getting to the line way less often opening up the efficiency gap even further), admitted the whole league was shooting worse than in MJ's prime but he ended up with a .468 TS% that year, most unJordanesque.

He probably wasn't a real MVP candidate at that point though his name may have been mentioned, because (a) people like writing MVP articles too early in the season and even throwing in names that will never win it because it will be forgotten by the time voting actually rolls round and (b) he's Michael Jordan. it sells papers.

And I think the blunt truth is MJ just doesn't stay healthy. He was always chasing conditioning (he hadn't stayed in shape since his 2nd retirement), or managing tendinitis (iirc) or trying to compensate for one injury and risking another.

MJ was very good for a wing his age. He was also a substantial distance off what he had been even in '98.

fwiw I think MJ is the GOAT.

That is the truth. The next season where he managed to play 82 games and 37mpg he was always icing his knees. His knees were all screwed up with tendinitis just the way Pippen's were at this time. In the end Jordan had two terrible inefficient seasons. Averaging 22.9ppg on 22.1 shots in 2002 (that is Antoine Walkerish at his worst) and 18.6 shot attempts for 20ppg in 2003. I don't see how you win anything with a guy shooting that horrible and that much on your team.

[Stringer Bell]

They probably make the playoffs and lose in the first round or semifinals.

What if his comeback hadn't been slowed down by Artest breaking his rib?

[Lebron23]

That is the truth. The next season where he managed to play 82 games and 37mpg he was always icing his knees. His knees were all screwed up with tendinitis just the way Pippen's were at this time. In the end Jordan had two terrible inefficient seasons. Averaging 22.9ppg on 22.1 shots in 2002 (that is Antoine Walkerish at his worst) and 18.6 shot attempts for 20ppg in 2003. I don't see how you win anything with a guy shooting that horrible and that much on your team.

This. Jordan was chucking like a mad man in 2002. He was a volume scorer in his Wizards years. In 2003 he played with Larry Hughes and Jerry Stackhouse. And they had a much better team in 2003.

[Mr. Woke]

Jordan's ball hogging nature held back the Wizards.

[SATAN]

Wouldn't have gotten far anyway.

It worked out better for his legacy since MJ stans acted like that part of his career was just some novelty run. Just MJ having fun playing the game he loves before he can no longer compete. Might have been different if the Wizards could have traded for Pippen.

[Lebron23]

Wouldn't have gotten far anyway.

It worked out better for his legacy since MJ stans acted like that part of his career was just some novelty run. Just MJ having fun playing the game he loves before he can no longer compete. Might have been different if the Wizards could have traded for Pippen.

People were calling Iverson a Cancer. Jordan was a cancer in in his wizards days. And the sad part was espn televised his games frequently.

[2much_knowledge]

Thats one of the biggest what ifs in history

Based on facts and no dumb opinions

26 - 20 record with Hamilton missing 5 weeks
They went 15 - 1 the last 16 games they played together healthy (2nd place in the East)

Pre injury numbers: 25.1 , 6.2 , 5.3 , 1.5 , 0.5 42%fg

Only player to manage those numbers? Prime Tmac

39 y/o rusty and dealing with tendinitis in the wrist and both knees and fluid drained multiple times

2002 is a credit to goatness

Would have love to see how a full healthy season with a healthy hamilton would have played out. Maybe we got that Mj vs Kobe matchup

[Lebron23]

Thats one of the biggest what ifs in history

Based on facts and no dumb opinions

26 - 20 record with Hamilton missing 5 weeks
They went 15 - 1 the last 16 games they played together healthy (2nd place in the East)

Pre injury numbers: 25.1 , 6.2 , 5.3 , 1.5 , 0.5 42%fg

Only player to manage those numbers? Prime Tmac

39 y/o rusty and dealing with tendinitis in the wrist and both knees and fluid drained multiple times

2002 is a credit to goatness

Would have love to see how a full healthy season with a healthy hamilton would have played out. Maybe we got that Mj vs Kobe matchup

[2much_knowledge]

https://youtu.be/68fsUdNIy6M. Go to the end of the video and educate yourself. Stop wasting my time