Jordan's nightly scoring barrages gave the Bulls hope during the 1986-1987 season.
It's no secret how reliant the Chicago Bulls were on Michael Jordan's scoring prowess, especially early in his career. With no clear-cut second or third option to back "His Airness" up (Charles Oakley and John Paxson were the other players who scored in double-figures during that season), the super-talented 6-foot-6 guard was often left to his own devices on the court, putting up a whopping 27 shots per game in the 1986-1987 season.
But just how critical was Jordan to the Bulls' success on a nightly basis? In an interview with Sports Illustrated in 1987, then-Bulls head coach Doug Collins painted a vivid picture of life for the team if they didn't have the athletic scoring dynamo.
The East's Los Angeles Clippers
Collins took the head coaching reins of the Bulls during that season, replacing Stan Albeck. However, it didn't take him long to face the reality of the state of the team. A glaring lack of talent and depth existed outside of Jordan, Oak, and Pax. It's no wonder Collins played MJ as many minutes as possible (Jordan played 40 minutes a game during that season), fearful of what the team would look like if his star guard weren't on the floor.
But deep down, Collins already knew the vulnerability of the Bulls without Jordan.
"We'd be the L.A. Clippers," Collins said, referring to the miserable franchise that won a mere 12 games during that season and followed that with a 17-win masterpiece the very next season.
Despite Jordan's scoring explosions, the Bulls finished that season with a 40-42 record to set up a date with the mighty Boston Celtics. MJ tried to carry Chicago in that series, averaging 35.7 points per game. However, the Celtics were content to let Michael chuck up one shot after another and focused on shutting down his teammates. The Bulls were swept in three games.
A man on an island
In his second full season with the Bulls, MJ rang defenses to the tune of 37.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game, establishing himself as the most prolific scorer the league had seen since Wilt Chamberlain. During that season, he scored 30-plus 30 times, over 40 29 times, and 50 or more eight times.
He even ended the regular season with a bang, scoring 61 points against the Atlanta Hawks, including, at one point, 23 straight for the Bulls. However, that effort was in vain as the Hawks came away with a three-point win after MJ's halfcourt heave fell an inch short.
Such were the scenarios that the five-time league MVP regularly dealt with early in his career. Jordan knew what the fans expected of him, whether in their home arena or on the road.
"What the fans on the road come to see is me get 50 and their team win," Jordan stated.
Fortunately for MJ, that proved to be the last time the Bulls would lose in the first round in the 1980s. Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant came on board the following season, helping the Bulls to a 50-win season and their first playoff series win since Jordan's arrival.
