Throughout his career, Michael Jordan was best remembered for his offensive repertoire. However, the Chicago Bulls legend did more than score in the 15 seasons he played in the NBA.
Sadly, MJ’s defensive efforts and dominance at that end of the floor were overlooked. Most may have forgotten that Jordan was the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Aware of this, Michael just hoped he was recognized for it rather than just his offensive prowess.
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“That’s something I strive for. I’ve been taught defense. I like to play defense. I just want some credit for my defense. If that means taking credit away from my offense, fine,” Jordan stated via NYT.
It is also worth mentioning that Jordan was a nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member. This clearly proves that the North Carolina product did more than just score. He was good at anticipating, which is why he succeeded in blocking and stealing the ball from the opposing players.
MJ was more of a free safety says Riley
Pat Riley had a defensive stopper when he handled the Los Angeles Lakers in Michael Cooper. Coop was assigned to put the clamps on top players, including MJ. While Riles was figuring out how to shut down the 6-foot-6 Bulls guard, he was aware of Jordan’s defensive efforts. He likened him to a free safety in football, pointing out how good Michael was at anticipating.
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“Michael Jordan is more like a free safety in football, always gambling, blocking shots, and looking for steals. He’s so good at it because of his anticipation; he doesn’t overextend the team’s defense by gambling,” Riles said in 1988.
Jordan’s numbers can back Riley’s point. During the 1987/88 season, MJ led the league in steals with 3.2 steals per game. Despite being a guard, Michael also normed 1.6 blocks per game. The effort clearly showed that the Bulls star did his work on both ends of the floor.
“It’s one of the goals I set for myself,” Mike said after winning the award. “I wanted to show people that I am more than just a scorer. I am a complete player.”
Olajuwon replicated MJ’s feat but better
Given his performance in the 1987-88 season, there was no question that Jordan was a dominant force in the league. As of this writing, only one other player has been able to achieve the same – Hakeem Olajuwon.
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“The Dream” did the trick in the 1993-94 season while playing for the Houston Rockets. But what made it sweeter for the top pick of the 1984 Draft was that he also led his team to the championship and won his first championship ring.
Of course, the situation was different for both players. In 1988, Jordan was the heart and soul of the Bulls, while Olajuwon got ample help from players like Vernon Maxwell, Robert Horry, and Sam Cassell. For Jordan, it wasn’t until 1991 that his efforts were rewarded with an NBA championship. With the Bulls surrounding him with good talent like Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, Michael finally experienced being a champion.
From that point on, individual awards were secondary for the Bulls superstar. Jordan’s all-around game was a factor, a reason why the Windy City squad bagged six NBA championships in the Jordan era.
Since breaking up the team in 1998, the Bulls have not landed a player as talented as Michael. There were names like Derrick Rose who tried in the past. But so far, the Windy City squad continues its search for a savior who can deliver that 7th title to the franchise.