There were big expectations each time Michael Jordan took the floor for the Chicago Bulls. He was expected to score a ton of points in most games to carry the team to the promised land. However, it remained that the North Carolina product had his share of poor shooting nights in his career.
Air Jordan was grounded
One rare moment was in February 1993. Jordan scored 27 points in the Bulls' win over the Utah Jazz. Ordinarily, that would be a good scoring output for an ordinary player. But considering he missed 15 of his 25 field goal attempts, Jordan undoubtedly had an off night.
Aside from that, it was Jordan's 30th birthday. Despite his woeful performance, the Bulls won against a solid Jazz squad.
"I think gravity got M.J. on his 30th birthday," Bulls Coach Phil Jackson said via UPI . "Last year on his 29th, he flew. This year he was grounded."
With Jordan struggling, BJ Armstrong, Scottie Pippen, and Stacey King stepped up for the Bulls. The team shot well from the floor (51.2%) and outrebounded the Jazz, 50-34.
"It was a nice win," Pippen said. "It was a great birthday present for Michael," Pippen said.
MJ had some poor games later in his career
The 1985 Rookie of the Year credited his teammates for getting past the Jazz. He hardly talked to reporters after the game, excusing himself since he had to go home and celebrate his birthday. Throughout his career, Jordan has had worse games. He had ones where he scored in single digits. Some happened later in his career when he came out of retirement in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards .
He struggled to score heavily in several outings. One game on January 30, 2003, caused him to question himself.
MJ finished with only 8 points in that loss of the Wizards to the New Jersey Nets, 86-78. Former coach Doug Collins recalls that game so well. He took out Jordan at some point but told Michael he would be fielded back in if they overhauled a 25-point deficit.
Washington never got to do that, and Jordan finished with only eight points. The frustration led Jordan to ask Collins if he could still play this game.
"And I said 'Absolutely, that's why I'm here, to be here to help you.' He said 'You know, to be my coach, you have to believe in me, and believe I can still play," the 1997 All-Star Game head coach stated .
Despite his age, Jordan proved he could still play at a certain level and help any team. But with the bar set high, Michael eventually realized the game had evolved, and it was time to give way to the new breed of NBA players. He would retire for good in 2003 but remains one of the best players the league has had.
Related: "We all need to be checked and criticized to some degree" - When Michael Jordan credited Phil Jackson with elevating his game
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