Michael Jordan is the greatest player and scorer the game of Basketball has ever known. However, there is a growing myth that MJ was a bad shooter from deep. Let’s take a look and see how truthful that is.
MJ for his career shot 32.7% from deep. At face value, this is very mediocre at best. But looking at his career 3pt percentage to determine how good of a shooter he was is flawed. It doesn’t account for Jordan coming into the league as a poor shooter, (which drags his overall career percentages down) and doesn’t account for his prime years, where he improved as a shooter
Take a look at this graphic, created by yours truly for some insight;
From Jordan’s rookie season (1985) until 1989, he shot an abysmal 20.2% from three on about 1 attempt per game.
However, from 1990, until 1998, an 8 year stretch, Jordan shot 36% from 3 on 2.4 attempts per game, which is very good especially for the Era he played in.
In addition, Jordan’s 3PT efficiency would rise with more attempts.
• MJ attempted at least 5 three pointers in 111 games. He shot at least 40% from three in 60 of those games.
• Jordan played 4 Seasons in which he attempted at Least 2.9 Threes per game. In those seasons combined, Jordan Shot 38.2% from three.
• In the 1993 Playoffs, Jordan attempted 3.8 Threes per game; he shot 39% on those attempts which is the most he attempted in any post season run.
Another misconception is that Jordan only shot good because the three point line was moved in. However, that was only for Three seasons, (1994-1997) and MJ was retired for the 94’ season and half of the 95’ season. So technically Jordan only played with a shortened line for almost two seasons.
MJ played in 6 NBA Finals, and the Three point line was only shortened for two of those (96’ and 97’ Finals). However, MJ actually shot better from three in the other 4 Finals series, which featured the Regular Three point line.
• MJ shot 40% from three in the 4 Finals featuring the real 3PT line (28/70)
• In the Two Finals where it was shortened, he shot only 32.6%
In Conclusion, Simply looking at Jordan’s Career 3PT% to determine how well he could shoot is simply lazy and flawed. You have to add context and acknowledge that Jordan learned and taught himself how to shoot. And when he needed to he could hit the three ball at a respectable rate, especially considering the Era that he played in which didn’t emphasize shooting the three.
If MJ played today, I would say he would shoot around 35% from three on about 5-6 attempts per game.
In addition, Jordan’s 3PT efficiency would rise with more attempts.
• MJ attempted at least 5 three pointers in 111 games. He shot at least 40% from three in 60 of those games.
• Jordan played 4 Seasons in which he attempted at Least 2.9 Threes per game. In those seasons combined, Jordan Shot 38.2% from three.
• In the 1993 Playoffs, Jordan attempted 3.8 Threes per game; he shot 39% on those attempts which is the most he attempted in any post season run.
Another misconception is that Jordan only shot good because the three point line was moved in. However, that was only for Three seasons, (1994-1997) and MJ was retired for the 94’ season and half of the 95’ season. So technically Jordan only played with a shortened line for almost two seasons.
MJ played in 6 NBA Finals, and the Three point line was only shortened for two of those (96’ and 97’ Finals). However, MJ actually shot better from three in the other 4 Finals series, which featured the Regular Three point line.
• MJ shot 40% from three in the 4 Finals featuring the real 3PT line (28/70)
• In the Two Finals where it was shortened, he shot only 32.6%
In Conclusion, Simply looking at Jordan’s Career 3PT% to determine how well he could shoot is simply lazy and flawed. You have to add context and acknowledge that Jordan learned and taught himself how to shoot. And when he needed to he could hit the three ball at a respectable rate, especially considering the Era that he played in which didn’t emphasize shooting the three.
If MJ played today, I would say he would shoot around 35% from three on about 5-6 attempts per game.
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