Michael Jordan additionally took his lumps early in his profession within the NBA. In Jordan’s first three years within the postseason, he was swept twice and received only one sport throughout that span. The Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons simply had the Chicago Bulls’ quantity earlier than the ‘90s.
Jordan was already an awesome participant and a scoring machine even in his first few seasons within the NBA. Earlier than the 1991 championship, “His Airness” averaged 32.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 6.0 APG, 2.8 SPG and 1.1 BPG. The famous person guard had earned MVP and Defensive Participant of the Yr honors throughout that stretch. He was a six-time All-Star and the scoring champion for 4 straight seasons.
•
Nonetheless, there have been those that he couldn’t overcome or had bother beating within the playoffs.
Listed here are just a few gamers who outplayed Michael Jordan within the postseason
#5 Sidney Moncrief
Sidney Moncrief was a two-time NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr winner who starred for the Milwaukee Bucks in Michael Jordan’s first playoff sequence. The seventh-seeded Chicago Bulls have been the underdogs towards the second-ranked Bucks.
Moncrief was the Bucks’ main defender versus Jordan within the sequence. “Air Jordan” nonetheless averaged 29.3 PPG, 8.5 APG, 5.8 APG, 2.8 SPG and 1.0 BPG. He was arguably the very best participant on each ends of the ground however might solely handle to guide the Bulls to a single win within the sequence.
Sidney Moncrief’s defensive duties didn’t cease him from averaging 26.5 PPG, 4.8 APG and 4.5 RPG.
#4 Terry Cummings
Considered one of Sidney Moncrief’s teammates on the Bucks group that booted out the Chicago Bulls in 1985 was Terry Cummings. Earlier than he turned a journeyman, the two-time All-Star was an enormous a part of Milwaukee’s success within the ‘80s.
Cummings solely needed to guard Jordan on switches or assist protection. The ability ahead was a thorn within the Bulls’ facet as he led the Bucks in scoring (29.5 PPG) and rebounding (9.3 RPG).
Michael Jordan’s first playoff sequence didn’t finish too nicely partly due to Terry Cummings.
#3 Dennis Johnson
In 1986, Michael Jordan’s second yr within the playoffs, he led the Chicago Bulls to the eighth seed within the Western Convention. Ready for them was none apart from Larry Chook and the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have been seeking to avenge their painful 1985 championship loss to the LA Lakers. Chicago, on paper, seemed like a stepping stone for them.
Dennis Johnson, Boston’s defensive stalwart and playmaker, was the Celtics’ first choice on protection towards Jordan. It was this sequence that Michael Jordan confirmed he was for actual. In Recreation 2, he erupted for a record-high 63 factors. Larry Chook referred to as Jordan “God” in sneakers in that sport.
Nonetheless, Johnson had a strong sequence regardless of the hassle it took on the defensive finish. He ended up averaging 19.0 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.3 RPG and a couple of.0 SPG.
#2 Isiah Thomas
Michael Jordan had a 10-12 postseason report towards the Detroit Pistons. Isiah Thomas was an enormous a part of the rationale “His Airness” didn’t have a successful win-loss mark towards the “Dangerous Boys.”
Thomas’ Pistons eradicated the Bulls in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Jordan lastly acquired over the hump when the Bulls swept Detroit in 1991. It was a sport marred by the now notorious Pistons walkout.
In 22 playoff video games towards Jordan, Thomas averaged 18.9 PPG, 8.3 APG and 5.1 RPG. To at the present time, the animosity between the 2 legends has solely gone bitter.
#1 Larry Chook
Michael Jordan was 6-0 within the NBA Finals. He was additionally 0-6 within the playoffs towards Larry Chook. Throughout that six-game run, “His Airness” was stunningly nice. He averaged 39.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.8 APG, 2.2 SPG and 1.8 BPG. He wasn’t the rationale why the Bulls couldn’t get one single win towards Chook’s Celtics.
“Larry Legend” was in his prime throughout Jordan’s early years. Chook averaged 27.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 8.5 APG and 1.5 SPG. He was a type of gamers who outplayed Jordan in just a few video games they’ve met within the playoffs.
Chook was the most important purpose the Boston Celtics swept Michael Jordan’s Bulls in two straight seasons.
Fast Hyperlinks
Extra from Sportskeeda
Edited by Michael Macasero