Michael Jordan 1988: 59pts Vs. Detroit Pistons on CBS

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This is the single most important game of the modern basketball era. Also, it kept solidifying the fact that MJ saved his best for the best teams. MJ rarely cared to score big against poor teams unless he had to since it was a chance to get the team to play. In MJ's first 19 games vs. Detroit, he averaged 36ppg including a 61pt spanking the year before (a game I also have edited on youtube.com). After this 59pt game on national TV on Easter Sunday in front of a record crowd at Detroit, the Pistons' coach Daly had enough. He vowed never to let MJ beat them again. Born was the beginning of the most awesome defense ever - "The Jordan Rules". The basics of the defense were to 'funnel MJ to the middle so the big guys could knock him on his butt'. But, the defense was so specific that there was a rule for what to do wherever MJ had the ball. Go here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/flashbacks/jordan/891106/

The "Jordan Rules" went on to revolutionize the game - making defense win championships. The Pistons went on to win two titles and their 'bruiserball' defense on Jordan forced the NBA to invent the flagrant foul. The Knicks and the Heat copied this football style and soon, the league's scoring plummeted. MJ, still scoring 30+ ppg was unaffected with his insane skills but the league itself couldn't score. We saw in the 90s, slow games with teams scoring just 60 points each with no one able to make any shots. After MJ retired, the NBA tinkered with the rules to get scoring back up and today, we are still seeing this tinkering with the shortened half-court clock, the lax hand-checking rules, the illegal step-in defense for centers and so forth. MJ is responsible for all this.

I remember this game vividly. Few NBA games were on national TV so the ads building this game's drama were strong. We knew MJ and the Pistons already hated each other. The Pontiac Silverdome had a record crowd. What was MJ going to do? Well, all he did was go 21-27 for 59. But, the real key was that he won the game on two clutch defensive stops - a block and steal on Zeke - to make sure his 59 didn't go to waste. MJ's jumper was laser-like here and I remember actually being upset that he was so 'on' since that would mean he would be driving less. I wanted to see more acrobatic shots. But, that's just being a selfish fan. Enjoy The Master becoming 'The Master'.

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Michael Jordan 1988: 59pts Vs. Detroit Pistons on CBS

26 Comments | Add Comment
  • he is the greatest ...

    he is the greatest ever obvi but with kobe and lb, u cant say they wont come even close. they can both shoot the lights out, dunk just as well, jump just a high and just not as clutch and bball smart

    By thechamppp55 [Affiliate User] 1196171329 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I faced that ...

    I faced that reality I long time ago. MJ the greatest, no doubt.

    By LidPing6 [Affiliate User] 1196060848 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Wow! EASILY the ...

    Wow! EASILY the greatest ever! Neither kobe nor Lebron will ever come close! Its nothing against them, cause lets face it, nobody will ever be able to come close...

    By vertical33 [Affiliate User] 1195946761 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Jordan= the ...

    Jordan= the greatest of all time hands down

    By Dre9083 [Affiliate User] 1195934113 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Well said

    Well said

    By rtbulls [Affiliate User] 1195931522 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I'm not hating on ...

    I'm not hating on Kobe Bryant or the up and coming stars of our current generation, but I personally think none of these stars can ever live up to his legacy. Even Kobe as great as he is, will not maintain the same stigma that Jordan had at age 35. Just look at Jordan's numbers even in his mid 30's..equivalent to a Wade's or Arenas' numbers in their prime. Just unbelievable.

    By aberadamus [Affiliate User] 1195810321 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I'm with you on ...

    I'm with you on that man, I'm 32. The 90's were a great time to be teenager. We were privileged to see greatness unfolding from MJ and understand, as our parents were able to experience in their youths watching their yester-year heroes. But Michael Jordan was our hero growing up if you are in your mid/late 20's and early 30's, to understand and truly appreciate MJ in that era.

    By kimvaterra [Affiliate User] 1195689219 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • in 18-21 thats tim ...

    in 18-21 thats tim donagy...lol

    By supermonet12 [Affiliate User] 1195586153 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • great time to grow ...

    great time to grow up in your teens, in or close to chicago....best years by far, so far, of my 31 yr old life.

    By PEARLJAMANDJCASHROCK [Affiliate User] 1195550378 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • what a careeer he ...

    what a careeer he has had. Umbelievable... You only see this kind of life in movies or fairytales

    By fourslot [Affiliate User] 1195373125 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • greatest ever. ...

    greatest ever. there will NEVER be another michael jordan. Kobe who? Labron who?

    By mrhappy0004 [Affiliate User] 1194913904 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • it's funny how no ...

    it's funny how no one ever dared to even get into a discussion with mike when he came back 2 the wizards... he's the player who got more respect from everyone in the nba

    By paul1reed1smith [Affiliate User] 1194820126 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • He is the greatest ...

    He is the greatest figure of my whole life. His majesty... I love I love I love you

    By canthem [Affiliate User] 1194595407 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Best there ever was ...

    Best there ever was. No one can compair

    By outcast833 [Affiliate User] 1194588763 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Jordan probably ...

    Jordan probably skipped all gravity classes back in school. It just doesnt affect him.

    By Makedonwow [Affiliate User] 1194333538 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Bow to the ...

    Bow to the basketball king......... RESPECT

    By Angelani26 [Affiliate User] 1194126580 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I believe I can fly ...

    I believe I can fly........... nice comparison lol

    By Angelani26 [Affiliate User] 1194126342 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • yeah whatever keep ...

    yeah whatever keep dreaming. The only GOD of basketball is Michal Jordan. Robinson just a good player. Get your mind untwisted willforgo, it's makin' you say stoopid sh*t.

    By binka21 [Affiliate User] 1193537830 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • For David Robinson ...

    For David Robinson to respect you is an honor above everything else in Jordan's career; David Robinson is the equivalent to GOD almighty.

    By willforgo [Affiliate User] 1193264121 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • damn that wizards ...

    damn that wizards jersey is ugly

    By dakingreigns [Affiliate User] 1193263511 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • man, put it simple. ...

    man, put it simple. His majesty Michael Jordan

    By vasko8888 [Affiliate User] 1193255973 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Kobe is no where ...

    Kobe is no where near the excellence that is Michael Jeffrey Jordan! Kobe's name shouldn't even be in discussion. I was old enough to watch his entire career and I have yet to see any player reach a 1/4th of his caliber!

    By emphyrean [Affiliate User] 1193046429 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Anyone who saw MJs ...

    Anyone who saw MJs prime doesnt think Kobe is anywhere near his level. To think otherwise means you are under 18 years old or a homer Laker fan

    By JoeBK81 [Affiliate User] 1192901464 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Even if Kobe comes ...

    Even if Kobe comes to play for the Bulls he can never erase the legacy Jordan left behind.

    By tha3rdwheel [Affiliate User] 1192794650 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Simple y ...

    Simple y sencillamente el mejor

    By THUNDERLAUNCH [Affiliate User] 1192720343 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Michael Jordan is ...

    Michael Jordan is the basketball god...

    By wildrei [Affiliate User] 1191877360 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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