Could young Jordan score 100 points in a game if he was playing in today's NBA?

Of course we'll never know for sure if MJ could score 100 today. So what I try to do is use the best data available to come to what I think is the most logical conclusion. I would believe it more from a decent 7 footer like D. Rob, playing the Clippers (as he was), with virtually no competiton at center, while purposefully going for a scoring title and playing 44 minutes. Even in that ideal situation he didn't approach 100.

I'm sure Jordan has been in that perfect scenario (bad team, end of season, nothing to play for) more than once. I'm sure it wasn't his or the teams primary goal to get him 100, but I'm not going to say he could do it by default. For me there has to be some prior evidence that Jordan could get it going like that. Something for me to say "Ok, MJ scored this many in a normal game, I think he could go for 100 if he and the team tried".

As I said before to me there's more evidence that Kobe would do it before MJ, considering Kobe's 81 in one regulation game, 55 by half time, 62 in 3 quarters...none of which he was trying to get 100. I ain't saying Kobe would get 100, but there's more reason to believe he would moreso than MJ. And that's not "hate". to me it's "logic". If MJ had scored like that I would say the same about him (I know he played against sad defenses, I watched it) yet he needed ot for most of his 60+ games, I'm not going to credit him with 100 because he's MJ. The talk about tough defense in MJ's day and weak defenses today is over stated, imo. I've said all along I think Kobe is the better scorer, I'm sticking by that.

I'll give Lebron, Wade, Durrant etc., the same considersation as Kobe when they have shown they can extend great scoring past a great quarter and get 50+ in a half or into the 80's.in regulation. And they might at some point...

Well mont13, we might not agree on every single argument, but you know how to defend your point, I'll give you that. Not like those kids I coach who tell me that the Lakers suck because, well, they suck, or that Carmelo is good because, well, he's good, with no sensible argument.

Talking about Kobe being a better scorer than MJ. I think Kobe's a better shooter, overall, than MJ ever was, even if Jordan FG% is considerably higher than Kobe's. Kobe's shot selection is at least 25% tougher than any player who's ever played this game, and Kobe can shoot the 3 way better than MJ. But MJ was a superior finisher at the rim and could penetrate the paint more easily, probably the best ever (though I like Wade a lot in that category). Although MJ did average 37.1, 35.0, 32.5 and 33.6 in 4 straight seasons, that's something hard to argue with. Overall, Kobe may be the best "pure" scorer between the two, but MJ was a more complete player.

Check out my other thread about Kobe's ranking in the all-time list. More arguing! Fun!

Well mont13, we might not agree on every single argument, but you know how to defend your point, I'll give you that. Not like those kids I coach who tell me that the Lakers suck because, well, they suck, or that Carmelo is good because, well, he's good, with no sensible argument.

Talking about Kobe being a better scorer than MJ. I think Kobe's a better shooter, overall, than MJ ever was, even if Jordan FG% is considerably higher than Kobe's. Kobe's shot selection is at least 25% tougher than any player who's ever played this game, and Kobe can shoot the 3 way better than MJ. But MJ was a superior finisher at the rim and could penetrate the paint more easily, probably the best ever (though I like Wade a lot in that category). Although MJ did average 37.1, 35.0, 32.5 and 33.6 in 4 straight seasons, that's something hard to argue with. Overall, Kobe may be the best "pure" scorer between the two, but MJ was a more complete player.

Check out my other thread about Kobe's ranking in the all-time list. More arguing! Fun!

BaraChat

Thanks, and for not freaking out due to my opposing view of the Kobe/Jordan thing. A good point/counterpoint on any issue is the way to get closer to the "truth". Anyway, at the risk of boring everyone else that's heard my "deal" on Kobe's offense vs MJ's....I think you can argue with the MJ's averages (37.1...etc) by looking at fga's and also considering "points per minute", it gives a clearer pictuere, instead of "per game"...did they play the same amount of minutes? Was MJ in the triangle when he had those averages, what effect did not playing with a dominant center have, having the green light from day one.....etc? MJ had the higher fg% because he took far less threes (it wasn't his strength, he didn't have to shoot over a zone ...etc)

As far as better penetrater and finisher at the rim, I encourage to take another look at Kobe in his younger days....it' close. And yes arguing/debating is fun...if people can maintain their cool.

Jordan is Greatest of All Time.DJ_Magneto