Young Michael Jordan vs Loaded Reigning 6 time Division Champion Milwaukee Bucks (Rivals)

Michael Jordan had been on a tear scoring 40 points in 4 of the Bulls previous 7 games, including a 58 point outburst against the Nets just 2 nights prior to this contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. To say Michael Jordan was dealing with fatigue would be an understatement.

The Milwaukee Bucks were an ultra-talented team with 3x All-Defensive star Paul Pressey, former Rookie of the Year and 2x All-Star Terry Cummings, Hall of Famer & 7 time All-Star Jack Sikma, John Lucas who was in the midst of his inspirational comeback story from drugs that season, Sidney Moncrief who was a 2x DPOY 5x All-Star & Hall of Famer, Ricky Pierce who became an All-Star and was the 2x Sixth Man award winner, and they had role players like the 7'3" Randy Breuer who could put the ball in the bucket too.

The Bucks were known for aggressive traps and aggressive double teams under Don Nelson. The Bucks were a team of tenacious defenders, and bucket getters. The Bucks were also 6 time reigning champions of the Central Division. So battling fatigue and the usual tough competition, Michael Jordan was in the midst of an uphill climb. To make matters worse, Michael picked up his 4th foul! The Bulls were down, it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks would defeat the Chicago Bulls.... until Michael Jordan checked back in, in the 4th quarter, still in foul trouble, but with one objective on his mind.... WIN.

(1986-87 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
1:12 - Michael Jordan scoring load on the 1980's Chicago Bulls
3:19 - Game begins
3:26 - Michael Jordan steal from Sidney Moncrief & 2 hand breakaway dunk
3:40 - Terry Cummings baseline jumper
3:47 - John Lucas scoop layup
4:03 - John Lucas 3 from the right wing
4:23 - John Lucas for another 3
4:48 - Terry Cummings pull-up jumper
4:56 - Terry Cummings catch & shoot jumper
5:23 - Michael Jordan catch & shoot jumper
5:55 - Sidney Moncrief denies the entry pass
6:29 - Michael Jordan transition dunk
8:31 - Ricky Pierce corner jumper
8:49 - Michael Jordan hard fought bucket vs Sidney Moncrief
9:28 - Doug Collins' coaching staff including Tex Winter & Johnny Bach who would later work for Phil Jackson
10:20 - Terry Cummings step back jumper
10:30 - Terry Cummings put back dunk
10:44 - Michael Jordan jumper (wet)
11:33 - Michael Jordan Euro step baseline scoop layup
11:57 - Paul Pressey jumper for 3 (wet)
12:02 - Replay of Terry Cummings block on Gene Banks
12:08 - Paul Pressey lefty layup
12:25 - Sidney Moncrief elbows Michael Jordan in the face
13:10 - Michael Jordan baseline jumper, and 1
13:40 - Ricky Pierce contested fadeaway rainbow jumper with MJ draped all over him, and 1
14:20 - Milwaukee's "3 man game"
14:28 - Terry Cummings post-up on Charles Oakley, clear out isolation 1 v 1
14:55 - Terry Cummings jumper (wet)
15:35 - Michael Jordan crossover & weaves through traffic for the layup
17:08 - Jack Sikma jumper
17:22 - Michael Jordan has his shot blocked but doesn't give up and works hard for the and 1 three point play
19:34 - Terry Cummings jumper
19:44 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
20:02 - Terry Cummings crossover & pull up clutch jumper
20:21 - Michael Jordan hard fought clutch bucket and 1 three point play
24:53 - What this game meant to the Bulls
25:22 - Michael Jordan's 17th point in the 4th quarter

Michael Jordan greatest games series playlist (games in chronological order here):    • Michael Jordan's Greatest 1980's Regu...  

Hope you enjoyed the show.

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Blitz Sports Network PSA: Always remember, the individuals who say "Michael Jordan didn't face great competition in his era" are trying to tell you something IMPORTANT. They are trying to tell you that they didn't watch the Michael Jordan era, and there are much better things you could be doing with your time rather than listening to their takes on an era they didn't even watch. Would you go to someone for an opinion on Shakespeare if they had never seen the plays Macbeth, Hamlet, or Othello? Of course you wouldn't. Consider the source. Nobody who watched that era would trash the talent all around the league. Michael Jordan played in a great era with a great blend of fierce competitors, awe inspiring athletes, lock down defenders, knock down shooters, and ultra skilled ballers.