Michael Jordan had his work cut out for him any time he faced the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons were of course led by the great Isiah Thomas, who is arguably the best 2 way point guard of all time. They were coached by the great Chuck Daly, who was one of the greatest coaches of all time. Adrian Dantley was a cagey veteran, who could still score with the best of them. Dantley was one of the best beneath the rim scorers in NBA history. Joe Dumars was an offensive threat on a nightly basis, and a lock down 2 way player. Bill Laimbeer was a stretch big who was well known for his rough tactics on the court. Dennis Rodman was a rookie coming off the bench. Bottom line, Detroit's roster was stacked from top to bottom. It's amazing that Michael Jordan holds any wins over the Detroit Pistons, considering the inferior roster that MJ had around him in comparison. This contest was an absolute battle, from beginning to end, with Michael Jordan digging deep and finding that extra gear that only MJ had. (Kobe's extra gear has come the closest so far.) This was an absolutely incredible performance, with the odds heavily against MJ, including Detroit's 30-2 record when taking a lead in to the 4th quarter, heading in to this contest. Enjoy!

(1986-87 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
4:11 - Game begins (Isiah Thomas immediately attacks the basket)
4:42 - Joe Dumars & Bill Laimbeer pick and roll
5:23 - Michael Jordan transition dunk, with extra authority
6:11 - Michael Jordan pivots baseline in to an INSANE reverse layup
6:28 - Michael Jordan jumper over Joe Dumars
8:24 - Adrian Dantley (below the rim specialist) post-up on Gene "Tinkerbell" Banks
8:43 - Michael Jordan pivots away from the oncoming double team & finishes with a reverse layup
8:52 - Adrian Dantley turnaround jumper
9:34 - Detroit Pistons fan throws a paper airplane at Michael Jordan shooting a free throw
10:04 - Adrian Dantley post-up on Ben Poquette
11:28 - Joe Dumars baseline jumper
12:38 - Michael Jordan baseline jumper over Joe Dumars
14:03 - Joe Dumars jumper from the top of the key
14:15 - Michael Jordan swats John Salley's shot attempt
14:54 - Michael Jordan 360 pivot fadeaway jumper over Adrian Dantley from the top of the key (NASTY!)
17:06 - Isiah Thomas weaves through traffic for the assist to Sidney Green
17:29 - Isiah Thomas ridiculous scoop shot layup, and 1
17:50 - Michael Jordan cleans up a mess on the offensive glass with an emphatic dunk, and 1
18:43 - Isiah Thomas juggles the ball mid-air but still somehow floats it in, and 1
19:17 - Isiah Thomas, another and 1 layup
20:16 - Vinnie Johnson pull-up jumper
21:03 - Michael Jordan hang time pull up jumper
21:17 - Michael Jordan jumper
21:34 - Michael Jordan takes Vinnie Johnson baseline for the insane reverse layup
22:05 - Michael Jordan contested pull up jumper over Vinnie Johnson
22:25 - Michael Jordan splits a double team in mid-air, floating hang time jumper
22:35 - Isiah Thomas pull-up jumper
23:10 - Replay of Michael Jordan hang time jumper splitting a double team
23:23 - Michael Jordan strong take to the basket
23:46 - Michael Jordan pump fake jumper over a triple team & off the glass
24:34 - Isiah Thomas ridiculous rainbow baseline jumper
24:46 - Michael Jordan jumper over Joe Dumars
25:13 - Isiah Thomas pull-up jumper
25:35 - Michael Jordan demolishes Bill Laimbeer with a facial dunk & tea bags him
26:02 - Michael Jordan hang time fadeaway jumper, and 1
26:33 - Isiah Thomas clutch jumper
26:56 - Isiah Thomas clutch jumper
28:03 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper over Bill Laimbeer (filthy shot)
31:03 - Michael Jordan free throws in crunch time
32:08 - MJ free throws to ice it

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.