I tracked every Michael Jordan playoff game for a decade

Thinking Basketball
31 Jul 202218:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video explores the impact of Michael Jordan on his team's success, analyzing over 100 playoff games to compare his performance with that of his teammates. It discusses how the Bulls' supporting cast evolved and improved alongside Jordan, contributing to their championship wins. The video uses plus-minus stats to illustrate the team's performance with and without Jordan on the court, showing that while he was a dominant force, his teammates also played a crucial role in the team's success. The analysis also places Jordan's contributions in context with other greats like Shaq and LeBron, emphasizing his consistent and impressive decade-long playoff performances in the NBA.

Takeaways
  • πŸ€ Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, with his impact on the game being immense.
  • πŸ€” The debate about Jordan's greatness often includes discussions about the quality of his teammates and their contributions to the team's success.
  • πŸ“Š The script analyzes over 100 playoff games to compare Jordan's performance with that of his teammates, using various statistical measures.
  • πŸ”’ Traditional stats like points per game and shooting efficiency are used alongside advanced metrics to assess player impact on team success.
  • πŸ“ˆ The plus-minus statistic, which measures the point differential when a player is on or off the court, is highlighted as an important but imperfect metric.
  • 🚨 In the 1988 playoffs, Jordan's presence on the court significantly impacted the Bulls' scoring, with a noticeable difference when he was substituted.
  • πŸ“š The analysis shows that as the years progressed, the Bulls' supporting cast improved, becoming more competitive even when Jordan was not on the court.
  • 🌟 Jordan's evolution as a player is noted, with his post-play and fade-away shots showcasing his adaptability and skill as he aged.
  • πŸ† The script discusses the importance of the supporting cast in the Bulls' championship runs, emphasizing the growth of players like Scottie Pippen.
  • πŸ“‰ Despite Jordan's individual brilliance, the Bulls' performance without him in the game improved over time, suggesting a strong supporting cast.
  • πŸ“Š Comparing Jordan's on-off court impact with other greats like Shaq and LeBron shows that while his teams were dominant with him, they were also competitive without him.
  • πŸŽ₯ The video concludes by emphasizing the impressive nature of Jordan's decade-long playoff performances and the statistical support for his legendary status.
Q & A
  • What was the topic of discussion in the video script regarding Michael Jordan?

    -The topic of discussion was Michael Jordan's teammate quality and the impact of his presence on the Chicago Bulls' performance during his playoff games.

  • How many playoff games of Michael Jordan were analyzed in the video?

    -The video analyzed 129 Michael Jordan playoff games.

  • What is the significance of the 1994 season for the Chicago Bulls without Michael Jordan?

    -In 1994, when Jordan retired, the Bulls won 55 games and played the Eastern Champion New York Knicks to a near draw, leading to debates about Jordan's impact on the team's success.

  • What is the plus-minus statistic and why is it significant in evaluating a player's impact on team success?

    -Plus-minus is a statistic that measures the point differential when a player is on the court versus when they are on the bench. It's significant because it helps to evaluate how much a player helps their team win by impacting the scoreboard.

  • Why was it challenging to analyze Michael Jordan's early playoff teams' performance?

    -It was challenging because playoff plus-minus data has only been tracked since the 1996-97 season, so there was no information available on Jordan's early teams until the analysis in the video.

  • What was the performance of the Chicago Bulls in the 1988 playoffs when Michael Jordan was on the bench?

    -In the 1988 playoffs, when Michael Jordan was on the bench, the Bulls were outscored by about eight points per 48 minutes.

  • How did the Bulls' performance change when Michael Jordan was on the court versus when he was off during the 1990 playoffs?

    -In the 1990 playoffs, the Bulls outscored their opponents by over seven points per 48 minutes when Jordan was on the court, showing significant improvement from previous years.

  • What was the impact of Phil Jackson's arrival and the introduction of the triangle offense on the Bulls' performance in the 1990 playoffs?

    -Phil Jackson's arrival and the introduction of the triangle offense in 1990 led to the Bulls outscoring their opponents by over seven points per 48 minutes in Jordan's playoff minutes, indicating a significant improvement in team performance.

  • How did Michael Jordan's supporting cast evolve over the years, especially during the 1990s?

    -Michael Jordan's supporting cast evolved significantly during the 1990s, with players like Charles Oakley, Sam Vincent, Dave Corzine, and Brad Sellers being replaced by Bill Cartwright, Craig Hodges, B.J. Armstrong, and Stacey King, along with the emergence of supporting stars like Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen.

  • What was the significance of Michael Jordan's performance in the 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers?

    -Michael Jordan's performance in the 1992 NBA Finals was significant because he showcased his ability to be a prolific playmaker, setting up open shots for his teammates, while also scoring 35 points before halftime in game one and 39 points in game two.

  • How did Michael Jordan's game evolve from his early years to the 1990s?

    -Michael Jordan's game evolved from being superhuman with a quick first step and high motor in his early years to becoming a stronger, craftier player in the 1990s who could operate out of the post, command double teams, and set up teammates effectively.

  • What was the overall conclusion of the video regarding Michael Jordan's impact on the Bulls' success?

    -The overall conclusion was that Michael Jordan's supporting cast improved significantly during their title-winning seasons, and while his teams were very competitive without him, they were comparably dominant with him on the court, similar to other all-time great players.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ€ The Impact of Michael Jordan's Presence on the Bulls

This paragraph discusses the debate surrounding Michael Jordan's greatness and the quality of his teammates. It highlights that even without Jordan, the Bulls performed well, winning 55 games in 1994. The script mentions an analysis of 129 of Jordan's playoff games to assess his impact on team performance. The use of various statistics, both basic and advanced, is explored to measure a player's contribution to winning. The discussion includes a specific example from 1988, illustrating the difference in the Bulls' performance when Jordan was on and off the court during the playoffs.

05:02
🎯 Jordan's Playmaking and Scoring Brilliance in the Playoffs

The second paragraph focuses on Michael Jordan's exceptional performance in the NBA playoffs, particularly his scoring and playmaking abilities. It details how Jordan's three-point shooting and mid-range game evolved over time, making him a versatile threat. The narrative includes specific instances from playoff games against the Portland Trail Blazers and other teams, showcasing Jordan's ability to create shots for his teammates and his individual scoring prowess. The paragraph also touches on how opposing teams adjusted their defensive strategies against Jordan, which in turn led to more opportunities for his teammates.

10:03
πŸ“Š Analyzing the Bulls' Performance with and without Jordan

This section delves into the statistical analysis of the Chicago Bulls' performance during the 1990s with a focus on Michael Jordan's on-court impact. It outlines the team's transformation under Phil Jackson's triangle offense and how the roster changes complemented Jordan's skills. The paragraph presents data showing the Bulls' point differential with Jordan on the floor versus when he was on the bench across several playoff seasons. The analysis reveals a gradual improvement in the Bulls' supporting cast, suggesting that while Jordan was undoubtedly vital, the team's success was also a result of a strong ensemble.

15:03
🌟 Jordan's Consistent Playoff Dominance and Legacy

The final paragraph wraps up the analysis by emphasizing the consistency and dominance of Michael Jordan's playoff performances throughout the decade. It discusses the evolution of Jordan's game, particularly his fadeaway shot and defensive skills, as he adapted to aging and maintained a high level of play. The paragraph also compares Jordan's on-off court impact with other great players, suggesting that while he may not have the most dramatic plus-minus stats, his teams were highly competitive both with and without him on the floor. The conclusion highlights the impressive nature of Jordan's decade-long playoff run and how the statistical analysis supports his legacy as one of the NBA's greatest players.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is a central figure in the video, renowned as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His impact on the game and his team's performance is the main focus of the video's analysis. The script discusses Jordan's ability to elevate his team's performance and his individual brilliance during key playoff games.
πŸ’‘GOAT
The term 'GOAT' stands for 'Greatest of All Time.' In the context of the video, it is used to describe Michael Jordan's status as the undisputed greatest basketball player in the eyes of many. The video explores whether Jordan's achievements were due to his own talent or the quality of his teammates.
πŸ’‘Teammate Quality
Teammate quality refers to the skill level and contribution of the players who play alongside a star athlete like Michael Jordan. The video script examines theε…¬η‰›ι˜ŸοΌˆBullsοΌ‰ roster changes over the years and how these changes affected the team's performance with and without Jordan, highlighting the importance of a strong supporting cast.
πŸ’‘Plus-Minus
Plus-minus is a statistic in basketball that measures the point differential when a player is on the court versus when they are on the bench. The video uses this metric to analyze the impact of Michael Jordan's presence on the Bulls' performance in various playoff games, showing how the team's scoring changed with him on and off the court.
πŸ’‘Playoffs
The playoffs represent the championship series in the NBA, where teams compete for the title after the regular season. The script delves into Michael Jordan's performance in over 100 playoff games, emphasizing his critical role in the Bulls' success during these high-stakes competitions.
πŸ’‘Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson, referred to as the 'Zen Master' in the video, is a legendary basketball coach who led the Chicago Bulls to multiple championships. His introduction of the triangle offense in 1990 is highlighted as a turning point for the team's dynamics and success.
πŸ’‘Supporting Cast
The supporting cast in the context of the video refers to the players on the Bulls' team other than Michael Jordan. The script discusses the evolution of this supporting cast and how their improvement contributed to the team's overall performance and success during the championship years.
πŸ’‘Triangle Offense
The triangle offense is a tactical system implemented by Coach Phil Jackson that emphasizes movement, spacing, and teamwork. The video explains how this system was a key factor in the Bulls' ability to succeed even when Jordan was not on the court, highlighting its impact on the team's overall strategy.
πŸ’‘Playmaking
Playmaking in basketball involves creating scoring opportunities for teammates, often through assists or by drawing defenders and opening up the court. The script illustrates Michael Jordan's exceptional playmaking abilities, especially during the 1992 playoffs, where his scoring and assists significantly contributed to the Bulls' victories.
πŸ’‘Fade Away
The fade away is a shooting technique where a player jumps backward while releasing the ball, making it difficult for defenders to block the shot. The video describes the evolution of Michael Jordan's fade away shot, showcasing his adaptability and skill in maintaining high levels of performance even as his physical abilities changed over time.
πŸ’‘Efficiency
In basketball, efficiency refers to a player's ability to score points or contribute positively to the game while minimizing wasted efforts or mistakes. The script mentions Jordan's impressive efficiency as a mid-range shooter, particularly during the 1990-1992 period, highlighting his effectiveness and scoring prowess.
Highlights

Michael Jordan's teammate quality is often debated as a factor in his success.

In Jordan's absence in 1994, the Bulls won 55 games and nearly defeated the Eastern Champion Knicks.

The study analyzed 129 Michael Jordan playoff games to compare his impact with his teammates.

Plus-minus is a valuable stat to measure a player's impact on team success, despite its imperfections.

1988 playoffs showed a small sample size of Jordan's impact with a 4 point difference when he was on or off the court.

In 1989, the Bulls outscored opponents by 4 points per 48 minutes with Jordan on the court, and were outscored by 20 without him.

Collecting data from the 1990 and 1991 playoffs provided a clearer picture of Jordan's impact.

Jordan's quote about not wanting to excel as a three-point shooter reveals his mentality and approach to the game.

In the 1992 NBA Finals, Jordan's three-point shooting led to one of his most prolific playmaking games.

Jordan's scoring ability created numerous shots for teammates, as evidenced by 15 shots created in a single game.

The Lakers and Suns struggled to defend Jordan due to mismatches in the 1991 and 1993 NBA Finals.

By 1992, Jordan had become a deadly outside shooter, displaying remarkable efficiency.

The Bulls' performance improved significantly with Jordan on the court during the 1990s.

The supporting cast of the Bulls improved from the 0th percentile to the top 25 percent during Jordan's tenure.

Comparing Jordan to other greats shows that his teams were comparably dominant with him on the court.

Jordan's fade away evolved to adapt to his changing physical abilities, showcasing his mastery of the game.

Jordan's defense remained impressive, using strength and anticipation to contain the ball effectively.

The analysis of over 100 playoff games of Jordan and the Bulls highlights a decade of consistently impressive performances.

Transcripts
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