80's Michael Jordan Battles On The Road in the NBA's Toughest Division

The NBA's Eastern Conference was staggeringly competitive during Michael Jordan's career. There is no doubt that Michael Jordan competed in the toughest conference and in the toughest division. The Atlantic Division was top heavy with the Celtics, whereas the Central Division was so stacked that the Bulls had a losing record (2-3) against the last place team in the Central Division, coming in to this contest. There was nowhere to run in the Central division where 5 out of the 6 teams finished the season with a winning record (Pistons 54-28, Bulls 50-32, Hawks 50-32, Bucks 42-40, Cavs 42-40). The Central Division's last place Pacers would have been tied for 2nd place in Larry Bird's cream puff Atlantic Division.

To start this contest, Wayman Tisdale went right after Charles Oakley & Dave Corzine. Tisdale was torching Oakley & Corzine! The Pacers utilized Tisdale's fast start as a catalyst for their early lead. They would stretch that out to a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter and had a double digit lead in the 3rd quarter. Wayman Tisdale, John Long and Vern Fleming were playing inspired basketball for Dr. Jack Ramsay. They were fighting for their playoff lives and had Michael Jordan up against the ropes. MJ would respond, as only MJ could.... and another page was added in this chapter of Jordan's unparalleled career.

(1987-88 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
2:45 - Game begins
2:52 - Wayman Tisdale baseline jumper
3:04 - John Long jumper
3:11 - Wayman Tisdale turnaround jumper
4:20 - Wayman Tisdale baseline jumper
4:27 - Tisdale put-back bucket
4:33 - Wayman Tisdale lefty scoop layup
4:41 - Michael Jordan baseline jumper
4:58 - John Long floater
5:05 - Wayman Tisdale schools Charles Oakley w/ a post up & dunk
5:24 - Wayman Tisdale elbow jumper
7:08 - Michael Jordan nasty block on John Long
7:30 - John Long elbow jumper
8:41 - Vern Fleming lean in jumper
8:46 - John Long corner jumper
9:11 - Wayman Tisdale put-back dunk
11:06 - Chuck Person 3 point jumper
12:10 - Vern Fleming runner
12:50 - Herb Williams post hook vs Granville Waiters
13:03 - Horace Grant dunks on Steve Stipanovich
13:12 - Herb Williams jumper
13:38 - Scott Skiles pull up jumper
13:47 - Michael Jordan pump fake & layup over Chuck Person
13:52 - John Long 1 dribble pull up jumper
14:11 - Michael Jordan dunks on Chuck Person
14:23 - Herb Williams jump hook
15:47 - John Long transition jumper
16:10 - Wayman Tisdale turnaround jumper
16:49 - Michael Jordan insane great escape hangtime reverse layup
17:05 - Wayman Tisdale turnaround jumper
18:20 - John Long corner jumper
18:30 - John Long elbow jumper
19:04 - Replay of Michael Jordan dunk
19:08 - Replay of Michael Jordan reverse layup
19:45 - Chuck Person jumper
19:55 - Michael Jordan layup over double team
20:22 - John Long jumper
20:38 - Wayman Tisdale drives around Oakley
20:47 - Michael Jordan inside bucket
21:02 - John Long baseline jumper
22:01 - Chuck Person 3 from top of the key
22:14 - Michael Jordan hang time bank shot through double team
23:00 - Wayman Tisdale post up lefty hook
23:54 - John Long corner jumper
24:04 - Herb Williams baseline jumper
24:22 - Michael Jordan behind the back & 2 hand breakaway dunk
25:05 - Michael Jordan crossover & fadeaway jumper
25:30 - Horace Grant elbow jumper
26:07 - Horace Grant 2 hand dunk
26:39 - Steve Stipanovich dunk
26:46 - Horace Grant turnaround bank shot
27:43 - Michael Jordan jumper
28:38 - Michael Jordan 1 dribble pull up fadeaway jumper
29:02 - Vern Fleming jumper
29:44 - Michael Jordan clutch free throws
29:55 - Vern Fleming clutch jumper
30:06 - Vern Fleming clutch layup
30:12 - Michael Jordan dagger dunk on Wayman Tisdale
32:38 - Michael Jordan turns the lights off

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

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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.