Jordan Rules and Sources

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Since the release of the Last Dance documentary there has been the expected post-mortem reactions of denials, criticism, and production decisions. Over the last 2 weeks former Bull Horace Grant (who was a part of the first 3 championships 91-93) has taken exception with Michael Jordan calling him a "snitch" for leaking information to Sam Smith author of The Jordan Rules.

First I will offer my own critique of Jordan playing revisionist history. He denies that he had anything to do with Isaiah Thomas' not being on the original Dream Team. Incorrect, as confirmed by hall of fame writer Jack McCallum. While I have no sympathy for Thomas, Jordan should own his role in that.

Second, I am perplexed that apparently no one has either read or remembers reading the book Mindgames: Phil Jackson's Long Strange Journey by Roland Lazernby. In the text of this book Lazernby clearly states that the infamous source for the Jordan Rules was in fact Jackson (see attached). So why is no one mentioning this? Other sources aside from Jackson could also include Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Grant was interviewed and clearly contributed to the content but he is far from the only one. Is this a lack of awareness? Sloppy reporting? Did Lazernby make this up? If he did, he should be called out for it. Otherwise, why no reference to Mindgames? Further evidence suggests that an assistant named John Bach was eventually fired from the Bulls because GM Jerry Krause was under the belief that Bach was the source, which Jackson admitted he perpetuated.

The answer seems pretty clear, or at least something that should be mentioned by the media while they are nursing this story along in a time without any live sports.

 

[boarman1]

Watch until the end because this video is in-depth and goes to great detail to discuss illegal defense

We forget as fans, that in the 90s you had to commit to the double team or stay on your man. You can't sag off, play zone, or stunt on defense

Today's league there are so many defensive adjustments you can do to prevent scoring, in the 90's all you had to do was clear out for MJ, and he can abuse his mismatch

Yes MJ would get doubled a lot, but it's different from stunting and hedging at him, to give him different looks.

MJ saw 2 defensive adjustments, the other team would either stay on him or double him. It was pretty simple

Now teams are playing zone, rovering around (if they're guarding Ben Simmons), switching, and a whole lot more

 

[tlance]

Watch until the end because this video is in-depth and goes to great detail to discuss illegal defense

We forget as fans, that in the 90s you had to commit to the double team or stay on your man. You can't sag off, play zone, or stunt on defense

Today's league there are so many defensive adjustments you can do to prevent scoring, in the 90's all you had to do was clear out for MJ, and he can abuse his mismatch

Yes MJ would get doubled a lot, but it's different from stunting and hedging at him, to give him different looks.

MJ saw 2 defensive adjustments, the other team would either stay on him or double him. It was pretty simple

Now teams are playing zone, rovering around (if they're guarding Ben Simmons), switching, and a whole lot more

Great post.

Jordan’s best scoring years he was not a 3 point shooter. He would have been defended a lot like Simmons. Surely he develops that shot more quickly playing in the modern era, but people suggesting he scores 45 a game today are crazy.

 

[gohusk]

Great post.

Jordan’s best scoring years he was not a 3 point shooter. He would have been defended a lot like Simmons. Surely he develops that shot more quickly playing in the modern era, but people suggesting he scores 45 a game today are crazy.

They didn't even have the 3 pointer in the NCAA when he was playing in college. If he grew up in an era where shooting open from 24+ was a good shot he would have figured it out because the guy is a basketball genius. That wasn't the game though. His thing was running offenses through the 2 guard. He basically ruined the point guard position as far as its importance goes.

 

[DorianRo]

Jordan averaged 37PPG during the most PHYSICAL era in the NBA in the late 80s (where handchecking was allowed) not to mention legit Centers . People who say he wouldn't average 45ppg in this coddled league are crazy. There wouldn't be a season he didn't average under 40 until he hit his late 30s (If he wasn't already bored as shit from dominating)


Jordan achievements today would be something like the follows:
-40/42PPG
-15 Scoring Titles
-2 DPOY
-9 titles or more
-9 FMVP
-3/4 All Star Game MVPs
- 40/45 Career PPG Post season numbers
- 1 or 2 80-85 point games


In short. MJ would PISS on this league and hardly break a sweat doing it

 

[msgkings322]

Jordan averaged 37PPG during the most PHYSICAL era in the NBA in the late 80s (where handchecking was allowed) not to mention legit Centers . People who say he wouldn't average 45ppg in this coddled league are crazy. There wouldn't be a season he didn't average under 40 until he hit his late 30s (If he wasn't already bored as shit from dominating)


Jordan achievements today would be something like the follows:
-40/42PPG
-15 Scoring Titles
-2 DPOY
-9 titles or more
-9 FMVP
-3/4 All Star Game MVPs
- 40/45 Career PPG Post season numbers
- 1 or 2 80-85 point games


In short. MJ would PISS on this league and hardly break a sweat doing it

Nah

 

[DorianRo]

Nah

Nah what? This era caters to PERIMETER players. Mainly "Superstar" perimeter players that are marketable. . MJ would get 10 extra PPG just off that alone. LOL. And you can't touch him now. So he has a field day

 

[tlance]

Nah what? This era caters to PERIMETER players. Mainly "Superstar" perimeter players. MJ would get 10 extra PPG just off that alone. LOL. And you can't touch him now. So he has a field day

I got news for you...

Eliminating the illegal defense rule made it possible for defenses to employ different strategies to limit a high scorer. It is a lot easier to help and double now than it was in 90s.

Say what you will about the foul calls, but the version of Jordan that scored 37 per game wasn’t much of a shooter beyond 18 feet. That version wouldn’t score over 35 a game, let alone 45.

 

[msgkings322]

Nah what? This era caters to PERIMETER players. Mainly "Superstar" perimeter players that are marketable. . MJ would get 10 extra PPG just off that alone. LOL. And you can't touch him now. So he has a field day

It caters to 3 point shooters and slashers actually, not one on one ISO greats like Jordan.

Now, I have no doubt if he played today he would be taking a lot more 3s. But he would also face zone defenses and double teams far more. He would probably still dominate the league but I don't see such a huge increase in PPG.

 

[SJ76]

 

[msgkings322]

View attachment 245383

Maybe my favorite MJ highlight

 

[Wamu]

Jordan averaged 37PPG during the most PHYSICAL era in the NBA in the late 80s (where handchecking was allowed) not to mention legit Centers . People who say he wouldn't average 45ppg in this coddled league are crazy. There wouldn't be a season he didn't average under 40 until he hit his late 30s (If he wasn't already bored as shit from dominating)


Jordan achievements today would be something like the follows:
-40/42PPG
-15 Scoring Titles
-2 DPOY
-9 titles or more
-9 FMVP
-3/4 All Star Game MVPs
- 40/45 Career PPG Post season numbers
- 1 or 2 80-85 point games


In short. MJ would PISS on this league and hardly break a sweat doing it

Lavar Ball could put better numbers up. MJ ain't shit.

 

[Wamu]

 

[Wamu]

 

[msgkings322]

View attachment 245387

My second fave MJ highlight

 

[DorianRo]

It caters to 3 point shooters and slashers actually, not one on one ISO greats like Jordan.

Now, I have no doubt if he played today he would be taking a lot more 3s. But he would also face zone defenses and double teams far more. He would probably still dominate the league but I don't see such a huge increase in PPG.

Like who? Steph Curry with damn near nothing to his name that loses out out a FMVP to old ass Igudoala? LOL!!

 

[msgkings322]

Like who? Steph Curry with damn near nothing to his name that loses out out a FMVP to old ass Igudoala? LOL!!

Uh, well yes the game does indeed favor players like 2 time MVP (one unanimous) 3 time champion Curry. He actually sort of made the game that way. Come on dude, do you really like looking stupid?

 

[DorianRo]

Uh, well yes the game does indeed favor players like 2 time MVP (one unanimous) 3 time champion Curry. He actually sort of made the game that way. Come on dude, do you really like looking stupid?

yea Im sure MJ would be 2nd fiddle to Iguodala since "3 pointers"are so important.

Goofball. 3 time 2nd fiddle Curry is but MJ can't hit 3's so he would be nothing Now. Whos "stupid" again?


If the 3 was so important, Curry wouldn't be a CAREER 2nd fiddle now would he?

 

[msgkings322]

yea Im sure MJ would be 2nd fiddle to Iguodala since "3 pointers"are so important.

Goofball. 3 time 2nd fiddle Curry is but MJ can't hit 3's so he would be nothing Now. Whos "stupid" again?


If the 3 was so important, Curry wouldn't be a CAREER 2nd fiddle now would he?

So wrong you're not even wrong. This one is going in the time capsule.

 

[Wamu]

yea Im sure MJ would be 2nd fiddle to Iguodala since "3 pointers"are so important.

Goofball. 3 time 2nd fiddle Curry is but MJ can't hit 3's so he would be nothing Now. Whos "stupid" again?


If the 3 was so important, Curry wouldn't be a CAREER 2nd fiddle now would he?

Curry's a career second fiddle? Is that why he's the only unanimous league MVP? Each time I think you can't be any dumber you prove me wrong.