When it comes to the great Michael Jordan, it seems to always boil down between a debate between whose better? Him or LeBron James? Him or Kobe Bryant? However, the general consensus is still that he is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time). For this article though, we are going to continue the “Most Underrated Season,” series by discussing Jordan’s most underrated season of his career. Could it be his rookie season? Could it be the season he came back from baseball? Without further adieu, let’s dive into Air Jordan’s most underrated season of his legendary career.
Michael Jordan: His Most Underrated Season
Michael Jordan: His 1988-89 Campaign
Jordan’s 1988-89 season seems to always get buried down within his other great seasons. One can’t really blame themselves for doing this though considering the many great seasons Jordan possesses on his NBA resume. However, Michael Jordan still put on a show in the 1988-89 campaign. He would make the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Not to mention, a young Michael Jordan would lead the Chicago Bulls to a win-loss record of 47-35 and all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
A series where they would eventually be defeated by the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons in six games. However, Jordan had nothing to be ashamed about losing to this team. The Detroit Pistons would go on to win the NBA Finals by sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers. Not to mention, the Bulls only had one star at the time in Jordan considering Scottie Pippen was only in his second season. Plus, Dennis Rodman was on that particular Detroit team as well. This was just the beginning of the Bulls’ path to greatness being led by the greatest player of all time.
His Airness’ 1988-89 Numbers
Michael Jordan put up crazy numbers per usual in this particular season. He averaged 32.5 points per game, eight assists per game, and eight rebounds per game. Jordan’s shooting totals read 53.8 percent shooting from the field and a free throw percentage of 85 percent. These scoring numbers would give Michael Jordan the third scoring title of his career with seven more to follow.
He would also end up averaging 2.9 steals per game and a defensive rating of 103. On top of this, Jordan tallied a defensive win share total of 5.2 coupled with an offensive win share total of 14.6. He would also finish with a steal percentage of 3.6 percent and a total rebound percentage of 11.6 percent. With all of these stats and facts in mind, it is easy to see why the 1988-89 season is the most underrated of Michael Jordan’s historic, Hall of Fame career.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images