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LeBron James claims Michael Jordan wouldn't average 50 in today’s NBA

James makes a bold claim about MJ's scoring ability.
Stephen Beslic|
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Today’s NBA has its fair share of critics primarily because the league has leaned heavily towards the offensive side of the ball. Whereas games in the past typically ended with scores hovering around the 100-point mark, it’s not unusual to see teams near the century mark at halftime of some games. 

In between a million foul calls and enough three-pointers to make Steph Curry’s head spin, many fans have wondered how some of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, like Michael Jordan, would fare in today’s era.

On an appearance on the “Road Trippin’” podcast, James weighed in, boldly declaring Jordan wouldn’t average 50 points as many believe he would if he were playing in today’s NBA.

Think somebody would average 50 is disrespectful

LeBron is a student of the game. He knows its history and the players who paved the way for the modern era of basketball. So when he says that it’s disrespectful to assume Jordan would average 50 points, people should take note.

With advancements in training, nutrition, and technology, today’s players are bigger, faster, and stronger. The game's pace has also increased significantly, with teams focusing on speed and three-point shooting rather than traditional post-up and isolation plays. 

So, while Jordan was undoubtedly one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, assuming he could score more than he did in his era may be unfair to the players currently dominating the game.

“There's nobody that's gonna average 50 in our league,” LeBron shared.

“That's just disrespectful, no matter how great you were in your era and how great you are to play in any era. If that's the case, I believe guys will average 50 in their era, the era that they played in.”

Could MJ pull it off?

However, betting against Jordan to not accomplish such a feat would be unwise. Known for his fierce competitiveness and unparalleled work ethic, Jordan always found a way to elevate his game and achieve greatness. 

In addition, Jordan's era was much more physical and defense-oriented, and rules now favor offensive players. This could potentially raise his scoring ability. Ultimately, it's all speculation, as we can never truly compare players from different eras.

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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