On December 29, 2001, 21 years ago to the day, Michael Jordan, at 38, became the oldest player to break the 50-point mark in a game. We also thought that no one would do the same, but Jamal Crawford did as well in April 2019 with the Suns.
As for Michael Jordan, it was under the jersey of the Wizards, against the Hornets of Baron Davis and Elden Campbell (but also Jérôme Moïso and the late Robert Traylor), that he had achieved this feat, planting 51 points at 21/38 on shots in Washington’s victory. “His Highness” also took the opportunity to seize two franchise records with 24 points in the first quarter, and 34 at the break.
“I definitely wanted to send a message”
Two days earlier, against the Pacers, he had made one of his worst career matches with only 6 points, ending a series of 866 games at 10 points and more!
” Do you think this guy has a little pride? Doug Collins, the Wizards coach, will ask reporters. ” He was coming off a tough night in Indiana, and I think tonight he wanted to prove who he was. I had seen him do extraordinary things before, but what he did tonight, at 38, was incredible. »
At almost 39 years old, Michael Jordan had achieved his 39th and last game at 50 points and more that evening, and he could have done even better since Doug Collins will take him out three minutes from the siren: “ I’m pretty sure you thought I was old, and I sure wanted to send a message “React Michael Jordan.
Two years later, against the Nets (future finalists), the five-time MVP will become the first forty-something to score 40 points or more. As for Kobe Bryant, if he scored 60 points on the evening of his farewell, he was 37 years and eight months old… and therefore Jamal Crawford is the only one to have “equalled” the greatest player of all time. For the moment.
Article originally published on December 29, 2021
