ProSportsDaily.com > Basketball > NBA > Could MJ still give an NBA team 10-12 good minutes a game??
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Maybe I still suffer from MJ worship, after what he did to my Ewing-led Knicks so many times, but I actually think he could still give 10-12 good minutes per game in the NBA... Do you?
I feel like at him age his defense would be horrible and he would get killed on that end of the floor, but as long as he still has that fade away he might still be able to put up a few points.
if he stepped on the floor right now? the guy gained a lot of weight.
I don't get the thrill people get out of debating that an all-time great could POTENTIALLY play 10-12 minutes off the bench. That needs to be the point in time where this question stops being asked.
No way. He's 50 years old and hasn't played for years. He may still be in decent shape for a 50 year old but there's no way he could still play in the NBA now. He wouldn't have the quickness or athleticism to play defense and I'm sure he doesn't still have the same lift on his jump shot to avoid being blocked by defenders or to be able to rise up over defenders. Anyone that still thinks he can play needs to step into the real world.
If you gave him time to train - like 5/6 mths he could average 12-14 i bet.
On how many shots though? Like 16-18?
When he was 38 and 39 he needed basically a shot per point. He was incredibly inefficient on offense. Now, at the age of FIFTY, not only would his efficiency be even worse, but he would easily be the league's worst defender. He'd make Jose Calderon look like Gary Payton.
Maybe a team would play him 10 minutes a game, but I'm sure that team would be one of the worst in the league. No good team would get any benefit from playing him.
I think it's funny that a lot of us who are voting yes are Knicks fans!! Go NY, Go NY, Go!
Why are people voting yes?
Maybe if they played half-court. Dude is 50 and looks it.
I'm a huge MJ fan but honestly the guy is 50 he's done.
no. 50 is 50 and he doesn't look like he's in great shape.
i think reggie miller would have a more productive 10-12 minutes today. he's a few years younger, looks like he's in better shape, he's a better shooter, and they'd both get equally roasted defensively.
Man,can't wait till someone else creates a thread like "Could Dr J do the slam dunk contest this year?"
I would only bring him in for the closing seconds of tight games.
Lol. The man is ****ing 50.
He just beat MKG, who is 19, in a game of 1-on-1. Last time I checked, MKG was compared to Iggy defensively.
I doubt he would be great on defense, but you people forget how good he actually was. At 38/39 he was starting for a horrible Wizards team averaging 20+ ppg on 40+% shooting. Off the bench for a team like Miami, or OKC, he'd be just fine for 10-12 mins against the opponent's 2nd team lineup. And why would you assume he'd step on the court out of shape? When has he ever been known to not work hard?
I would never want to see him come back. No need to tarnish his record, even if it was for another ring playing next to Lebron/Durant.
If he got into shape he could play in one game only and get torched but can put up some points by cheery picking.
LOL absolutely not. He's the GOAT and everything, but just flat out no.
Swear I hate talking about Jordan. For as amazing as he was, he's actually super overrated now. It's like talking about Ali.
In the shape he is now? The answer is no but if he dedicated 6 months to getting back in to NBA game shape I think it is possible to play a very limited specialized role. Not probable but possible.
If mj had time to train I'm sure he'd surprise people. Especially If he was mentally driven. But, vs the top athletes in the world it would be tough.
And the problem even with limited minutes is how injury prone he'd be at 50. It's one of the biggest differences between young and old athletes, the succeptability to injury.
Wilt, with his size/strength and the way he aged, probably could have come back and truly competed at 50 (and almost did), and he's about the only player I could say this about; he'd probably be similar to peak Kwame at that point. Jordan at SG? Hell no. Playing near 40 he was still a bit above average, but that 40-50 is a very rough decade on someone trying to play one of the most athletically demanding positions in one of the most athletically demanding sports. Even offensively he wouldn't be quick enough or have the hops to create proper spacing on his shots. If I had to guess, his Per-36 would be something like 14/3/3 on 39% from the field, and not be able to give more than 15 mpg. And the D wouldn't be pretty.
I think some people forget that NBA is not a joke. There are thousands of great athletes who want to make it to the NBA and only the best of best get the chance. 50 year old Jordan would get owned by even the worst euroleague players.
You do remember that he beat MKG this year 1 on 1 right?
Let's just say if you think he could, you're overrating MJ. He's not God. He's the greatest but the NBA players today are all in better shape than he is. He wouldn't be able to keep up and would be a liability.
Lol no, the ones saying yes are the same people who say lebron can play and guard all 5 positions at an elite level and has pg like handles. Their just men, not freakin superheros.
Remember his last year? Take 50-75% of that production away, at least.
Yup, he also put superheros.. Lol, must be that Subway footlong getting in his way.
OKAY grammer nazi. I guess I'm the only one around here who is buzzing/drinking when I write replies. I've been through enough college that my brain hurts too much to have you ***** at me about grammer in an internet forum.
I voted yes cause he probably do anything he puts his mind too. Realistically though, does the GOAT want to sell his ownership (can't be an owner player) and play 10 minutes off the bench? Would his ego allow that? Doubt it, but have to admit, I miss watching him in his prime.
If he trained for a year, stopped drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney....... HELL NO!
Was this a real question? Thought it was a joke. If your actually curious the answer would be NO.
Theres a way to find out.
SOmeone tweet him the poll that is saying he cant.
I absolutely believe so. I also think Bonds can come back and make an immediate impact despite having been away from baseball, and while some think I am kidding when I say so, I really wish he would, obviously he won't, but just because someone is retired or stopped playing competitively doesn't mean they "lost it", and/or don't still workout and practice from time to time, MJ could come back and still have a huge impact on the sport, he wouldn't have a top 10 statline, but he would break some ankles and put up some points, and school some of these cocky young kids, experience goes a really long way.
I know this is PSD and I shouldn't expect much, but I can't believe 42% of people actually think he would be able to play even just a few minutes at a worthwhile clip. That's unbelievable to me.
Totally different ages and scenarios but this discussion reminds me of the discussions people had about Magic when he came back after almost 5 years of retirement due to aids. I think he was 36-37 years old at that time. Magic came back mostly as a PF because he was bigger and slower. I had my doubts because of the years, his weight gain, and the effects of his aids medication but surprisingly Magic did show he could still be a pretty good player. He was not the Magic of old by any means but still a solid player.
8 minutes max. He could still post up other guards well and be useful in that sense. Probably low percentages though.
I'm assuming he's nowhere in shape for the NBA game. I think his offensive game would be good enough to average around 8 a game maybe. But that's with open jumpers. How good would he still be at creating his own shots against guys 20-30 years younger than him?? I just don't know.
Saw him dunk on youtube. Crazy that he can still dunk easier at age 48-49-50 than some current NBA players. He dunks even though he is probably carrying an extra 50 pounds above his playing weight. If he can beat guys on the Bobcats at 1 on 1 carrying an extra 50 pounds it would be interesting to see him play some 1 on 1 after dropping 35-40 pounds.
When thinking how many ppg lets have this on account.
Rivals wouldnt be able to breath on his neck withouth being called for a foul.
Thats 8 ppg just on Free trows.
No. He may have the skills but there's no way his body could handle it.
Now what do we consider good? I would have to believe Jordan could be more effective than the very worst players in the game, who are still NBA pro players, for 8 minutes.
But **** man, he's almost 50, age just kills athletes, plain and simple.
"He can probably do anything he puts his mind too" This is the type of Jordan worshipers that exist. Jordan wouldn't even be able to keep up with Scalabrine.. Give me a break.
I would like the lakers to bring him in just so he can be added to the laker redrafts and so that we can rock his jersey as a laker. Hed bring in a **** load of money for any team.
Production wise, lmfao. Stupid question. 10-12 min?
I'd say <30%fg shooting and the leagues worst defender by far.