via Getty
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the New Jersey Nets on March 16, 1998 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
via Getty
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the New Jersey Nets on March 16, 1998 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan is not only a legendary player but a brilliant analyst as well. Ex-Dallas Mavericks star Jamal Mashburn has revealed how good of an observer the 6x NBA champion was. He confessed to Jordan’s knowledge of the game being superior to what he had first thought. He also recollected the time he played against Mike in his last All-Star Game in 2003. The 51-year-old remembers His Airness going through almost all the All-Star players, chatting about their weaknesses and strengths from the top of his head.
Mashburn was the guest on the latest episode of ‘The Old Man and the Three‘, where he revealed, “I sat there and I was like, I thought I knew a lot about basketball, but he’s on a different level from how he looks at it, scouts it, observes it.” He also talked about the 6x NBA champion’s advice to him that led to him scoring 50 points against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jamal mentioned how he received insights on his game from Jordan after a one-on-one session. “He was able to break down my game analytically,” Jamal stated. The ex-Mavericks star recalled how Jordan told him about his habit of going left 80% of the time and pulling up with the right hand. Mike told Mashburn to go right two or three times in the game, as the ex-Mavericks star claims.
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According to Mashburn, Mike’s reasoning behind the suggestion was that if Jamal would go right two or three times in the game and make a pull-up jump shot or right-hand layup, he would be balancing out his game and keeping the defense off balance. “I implemented that. Scored 50 on the Memphis just by turning the other way,” he stated.
But how did Mashburn put MJ’s words into action?
A closer look into Michael Jordan’s impact on Jamal: The 50-point game
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The game Jamal played in 2003 for the New Orleans Hornets against the Memphis Grizzlies will forever remain imprinted in his memory. This was the first game since 1994 in which Mashburn scored 50 points against a team. His previous 50 points came against the Chicago Bulls when he was playing for the Dallas Mavericks.
His second 50 coming after an 8-year gap shows the impact Michael Jordan’s advice had on Jamal against the Grizzlies. He also recorded 5 rebounds, and 5 assists during that game, with a field goal percentage of 51.5%. This explains Jamal expressing his admiration for the Bulls legend on multiple occasions.
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What are your thoughts on Mashburn’s story? Let us know in the comments below.
Read More: Michael Jordan ‘Hit’ NBA Veteran, Weeks After ‘Embarrassing’ Encounter Left Him Restless
