What if Michael Jordan Played Today?

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CHICAGO BULLS 5:25 PM

What if Michael Jordan Played Today?

Quote:

Basketball as we currently know it didn't exist in the 1990s. Yes, the object of the game was still to put the ball in the hoop. Yes, the team that had the most points after 48 minutes was declared the winner. Yes, teams still had five guys a side. But it wasn't the same game. Today's game is fast, guard-driven, perimeter-oriented, spacing-infested, chaotic. Outside shooting is the most important offensive skill; lateral quickness and length tie for the most essential defensive one. The 1990s' game, on the other hand, was everything today's game is not. It was slow, post-oriented, physical, structured. If you were big and/or tall, you had a huge advantage. This is why many find Michael Jordan's dominance in that era even more remarkable. Jordan succeeded during a period where the deck was stacked against guards. He soared over his taller enemies, taking special glee in dethroning Patrick Ewing. This has led that same school of thought to suggest that Jordan would have it easier today, that he'd take advantage of the extra space not being cramped by behemoths and physical hand-checking defenders. But that'd be too simple. Would Jordan really dominate in today's game? In contrast, would LeBron James really struggle in Jordan's era? Ever notice the way point guards used to back their way down the court, using their wide posteriors as a way to shield off defenders? It's because of hand-checking, which allowed defenders to stick their forearms into their man's chest to impede their progress towards the rim. With that kind of advantage, the best way to prevent defenders from poking at the ball was to make them hand-check the back. So, which player would be better in the other's era? It's complicated. In real life, James would learn how to use his size and raw strength more effectively and Jordan would have learned how to rifle crosscourt passes to open three-point shooters while running the high pick-and-roll. In this fantasy world? It's tough to say. Perhaps Jordan would have put up bigger numbers in the regular season against poor defenses, only to struggle against the quickness and length of tough, smart schemes in the playoffs. How would he fare against a team like the Pacers that would corral him in a mid-range pocket on a pick-and-roll? By contrast, perhaps LeBron would have averaged 13 assists a game, yet be stifled in the post by wider, slower defenders on teams that refused to double-team him. LeBron would not have enjoyed going up against Anthony Mason, that's for sure. In other words, they were both great for their own specific eras. It's a boring answer, but it's also the right one. https://www.sbnation.com/2014/3/25/5...michael-jordan

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NBA Draft Ratings

Pick Number 3, Michael Jordan
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With the Third pick in the draft the Chicago Bulls selected their believed replacement for Jimmy Butler in the 21-year-old Michael Jordan. If it was the 1990s Jordan might of been the perfect player, but in today's game, Jordan is a work in progress.

Although he has insane athleticism, Jordan's range is weak. But Jordan wasn't drafted for his shot, his size and athleticism is great for a guard.

As a freshman Jordan was named ACC Freshman of the Year after he averaged 13.4 points per game on 53.4% shooting. He made the game-winning jump shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Gonzaga. During his three seasons at North Carolina, he averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting, and added 5.0 rebounds per game.

Picking Rating: C

With more NBA-Ready players on the board such as Tatum drafting a project may prove not worth it.

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Other Information
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The dynasty will focus on a Michael Jordan and following his career through the NBA. I will be using the playerlock setting to play as Mike.

Normal 30 team Myleague rules will be in effect.

I removed Lauri Markkanen from the roster, replacing him with MJ.

NBA History still remains the same just instead of Jordan winning 6 titles in the 90s, Pippen won 6 as the Bulls leader.

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