Michael Jordan is one of the league’s most prolific scorers in all of NBA history and is undoubtedly the most-popular NBA player of all time — active or retired.
Drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 3rd pick of the 1984 NBA draft, Michael Jeffrey Jordan was destined for greatness. His legacy began when he hit the NCAA championship winning basket for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 1982. Since then, Jordan’s combination of talent, style, jumping ability, competitiveness and his unyielding want to be best allowed him to accomplish what only a few legendary players can even hold a match to .
Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles. Along the way, he achieved many individual awards and NBA records that put him among the greats ( if not the greatest ever ) in the game. Let’s take a look at MJ’s basketball resume to appreciate his greatness.
Michael Jordan’s Individual Awards and Recognition
- Two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- class of 2009 – individual
- class of 2010 – as a member of the “Dream Team”
- U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame – class of 2009 (as a member of the “Dream Team”)
- FIBA Hall of Fame – class of 2015
- Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner – 1984, 1992
- Six-time NBA champion
- Six-time NBA Finals MVP
- Five-time NBA MVP
- 10-time NBA scoring leader (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
- 14-time NBA All-Star
- Three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 11-time All-NBA
- Nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion – 1987, 1988
- NBA Rookie of the Year – 1984–85
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year – 1987–88
- 1985 IBM Award winner
- NCAA national championship – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 1981–82
- ACC Freshman of the Year – 1981–82
- Two-time Consensus NCAA All-American First Team – 1982–83, 1983–84
- ACC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year – 1983–84
- USBWA College Player of the Year – 1983–84
- Naismith College Player of the Year – 1983–84
- John R. Wooden Award – 1983–84
- Adolph Rupp Trophy – 1983–84
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year – 1991
- Section of Madison Street in Chicago renamed Michael Jordan Drive – 1994
- Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996
- Ranked No.1 by SLAM Magazine’s Top 50 Players of All-Time
- Ranked No.1 by ESPN SportsCentury’s Top North American Athletes of the 20th century
- North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
- 1997 Marca Leyenda winner
- Seven-time ESPY Award winner (in various categories)
- Number 23 retired by the Chicago Bulls
- Number 23 retired by the North Carolina Tar Heels
- Number 23 retired by the Miami Heat
- Statue in front of the United Center
- 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom
Impressive, huh? Check out Jordan’s single game career high numbers. They’re equally as impressive.
Michael Jordan’s NBA Career Highs in Points
| Category | Career High | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Points | 69 | 03/28/1990 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2nd | 64 | 01/16/19 | Orlando Magic |
| 3rd | 61 | 04/16/1987 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 3rd | 61 | 03/04/1987 | Detroit Pistons |
| 5th | 59 | 04/03/1988 | Detroit Pistons |
Jordan’s Career High Points in Single Game
The most points that Michael Jordan has ever scored in one NBA game was 69 points in an overtime game played against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 28, 1990. During this career game, Jordan made 23 of 37 overall shots from the field and 21 of 23 free throws. The Bulls won 117-113.
Jordan’s Other Career Highs
| Rebounds | 18 (2x) | last 03/18/97 | Seattle Supersonics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assists | 17 | 03/24/89 | Portland Trailblazers |
| Steals | 10 | 01/29/88 | New Jersey Nets |
| Blocks | 6 | 01/02/86 | Seattle Supersonics |
| Offensive Rebounds | 8 (4x) | last 03/18/97 | Seattle Supersonics |
| Defensive Rebounds | 15 | 02/12/85 | Toronto Raptors |
| Field Goals Made | 27 | 01/16/93 | Orlando Magic |
| Field Goals Attempts | 49 | 01/16/93 | Orlando Magic |
| 3 Pointers Made | 7 | 01/18/90 | Golden State Warriors |
| 3 Point Attempts | 12 | 01/18/90 | Golden State Warriors |
| Free Throws Made | 26 | 02/26/87 | New Jersey Nets |
| Free Throw Attempts | 27 | 02/26/87 | New Jersey Nets |
| Turnovers | 9 (2x) | last 03/11/03 | Orlando Magic |
| FIC | 54.38 | 03/28/90 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Though Jordan’s 69 points was the GOAT’s best scoring output in the points columns, this is just the 9th highest scoring game in NBA history overall.
| # | Points | Player | Date | Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | Wilt Chamberlain | 2-Mar-62 | Philadelphia Warriors | New York Knicks | 169–147 |
| 2 | 81 | Kobe Bryant | 22-Jan-06 | Los Angeles Lakers | Toronto Raptors | 122–104 |
| 3 | 78 | Wilt Chamberlain | 8-Dec-61 | Philadelphia Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers | 147–151 |
| 4 | 73 | Wilt Chamberlain | 13-Jan-62 | Philadelphia Warriors | Chicago Packers | 135–117 |
| 4 | 73 | Wilt Chamberlain | 16-Nov-62 | San Francisco Warriors | New York Knicks | 127–111 |
| 4 | 73 | David Thompson | 9-Apr-78 | Denver Nuggets | Detroit Pistons | 137–139 |
| 5 | 72 | Wilt Chamberlain | 3-Nov-62 | San Francisco Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers | 115–127 |
| 6 | 71 | Elgin Baylor | 15-Nov-60 | Los Angeles Lakers | New York Knicks | 123–108 |
| 7 | 71 | David Robinson | 24-Apr-94 | San Antonio Spurs | Los Angeles Clippers | 112–97 |
| 8 | 70 | Wilt Chamberlain | 10-Mar-63 | San Francisco Warriors | Syracuse Nationals | 148–163 |
| 8 | 70 | Devin Booker | 24-Mar-17 | Phoenix Suns | Boston Celtics | 120–130 |
| 9 | 69 | Michael Jordan | 28-Mar-90 | Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | 117–113 |
| 10 | 68 | Wilt Chamberlain | 16-Dec-67 | Philadelphia 76ers | Chicago Bulls | 143–123 |
| 10 | 68 | Pete Maravich | 25-Feb-77 | New Orleans Jazz | New York Knicks | 124–107 |
| 12 | 67 | Wilt Chamberlain | 9-Mar-61 | Philadelphia Warriors | New York Knicks | 135–126 |
| 12 | 67 | Wilt Chamberlain | 17-Feb-62 | Philadelphia Warriors | St. Louis Hawks | 121–128 |
| 13 | 67 | Wilt Chamberlain | 25-Feb-62 | Philadelphia Warriors | New York Knicks | 135–149 |
| 13 | 67 | Wilt Chamberlain | 11-Jan-63 | San Francisco Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers | 129–134 |
Some of Michael Jordan’s Career Games
Most Rebounds in a NBA Game (18) The most rebounds Jordan would have during a regular season game was 18 that he accomplished twice. The first time was on March 28, 1990 against the Cavs, and the second was on March 18, 1997 against the Supersonics when Jordan also scored 32 points. Incidentally, the Cavs game is the same game where he scored a career high 69 points.
Most Assists in a NBA Game (17) The most assists that Michael Jordan ever had in a game was 17. He accomplished it in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 25th, 1989. During the game, MJ also had 34 points which turned out to be a Bulls 128-113 wins.
Most Three Pointers in a Game (7) The three point shot was definitely not as emphasized during Jordan’s time as now; however, his high-water mark for three was seven during a game against Golden State on January 18th, 1990. He made seven of 12 overall attempts and scored 44 points during the Bulls 132-107 victory.
Most Steals in a NBA Game (10) The most steals that Jordan ever registered during an NBA game was 10. He did this on January 29th, 1988 against the New Jersey Nets. He also poured in 32 points during the game which Chicago won, 120-93. Of note is that MJ did not even play during the fourth quarter of the game due to the lopsided score. Jordan was one seal away from the NBA record 11 steals.
Most Blocks in a NBA Game (6) Jordan was an exceptional shot blocker at the guard position. In fact, Jordan averaged 1.6 blocks per game during the 1987-88 season (he also led the league in steals that season). The most blocked shots Michael Jordan ever recorded in a single game was six vs. the Seattle SuperSonics back on December 2, 1986.
Total Career Triple Doubles (28) During his career, Michael Jordan had a total of 28 triple-doubles during the regular season. He also had a triple-double during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, and two during the NBA Playoffs.
What were Jordan’s highest averages?
As far his highest career averages, for points, rebounds, steals, etc. here’s the highest per game averages that #23 recorded across his NBA career and the season he accomplished each:
| Stat | Average | NBA Season | Lead NBA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 37.1 | 1986-87 | Yes |
| Rebounds | 8.0 | 1988-89 | No |
| Assists | 8.0 | 1988-89 | No |
| Steals | 3.2 | 1987-88 | Yes |
| Blocks | 1.6 | 1987-88 | No |
| Turnovers | 2.0 | 1996-97 | No |
| FG% | 53.8% | 1988-89 | No |
| FT% | 85.7% | 1986-87 | No |
| 3FG% | 37.6% | 1989-90 | No |
| Minutes | 40.4 | 1987-88 | Yes |
source: basketballreference.com
All-Star Game Records and Rookie Scoring
During his career, Michael Jordan scored a total of 262 points during the NBA All Star Game which was a long held record until it was broken by Kobe Bryant, and subsequently by LeBron James.
He also had a record total of 37 steals during his career in the All-Star game until it was broken by Kobe Bryant (38). MJ also held the record for a total of 27 field goal attempts in the 2003 All Star game that was later bested by Russell Westbrook (28).
Speaking of Westbrook, Jordan is one of three players to accomplish a triple-double in an All-Star game (the others are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade).
Jordan was chosen as the NBA All-Star MVP three times during his illustrious career (1988, 1996, and 1998). Bryant and Bob Petit hold the record with four NBA All-Star MVP trophies.
Michael Jordan averaged 28.2ppg on 51.5% shooting in his rookie season. Jordan quickly became one of the fan favorites across the NBA during his rookie year as he was voted as an All-Star starter during the same year. During his second season, he would go on to score 63 points in a playoff game to set a still unbroken scoring record.
From his spectacular rookie year to his championship years with the Bulls to his final years with the Wizards after coming out of retirement for a second time and now deep into retirement, MJ is the measure by which we take stock of all of our modern-day NBA players. Had Jordan not retired, who knows how many points he would have accumulated in his career?
Michael Jordan is without a doubt, the best-known NBA player of any generation. Interested in more career highs? Check out our post with the career high in points for 300 active and retired NBA players
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