THERE IS A "JORDAN RULE" THAT NO ONE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT

When Wilt Chamberlain was asked if Michael Jordan was the G.O.A.T, he gave Jordan his credit for being a spectacular player, and then just laughed. He could have brought up a few examples of his many records as 'proof', but he did not. Chamberlain simply said, "When I played they came up with rules designed to stop me. Today the NBA makes up rules to help Jordan."

Oddly, the interviewer immediately changed the subject. I was confused because that was a bold statement. I decided to check to see if any rules had been created to slow Wilt down. Chamberlain was 100% correct. Goal tending, 3 seconds, and believe it or not, no jumping from the foul line on foul shots were all created to slow down Wilt Chamberlain. In addition, the lane was widened, and inbounding rules were revised.

Next I checked to see if there were any rules created to help Michael Jordan. There were a few. The most egregious change occurred when a technicall foul would be called for double teaming. Michael Jordan would routinely receive the basketball on the left side of the court. All of his teamnates would then run to the opposite side of the court. This would leave Jordan one on one with a defender who was guarding him, or one that had switched onto him. Whenever one of the defender's teammates would slack off in order to help their teammate, his teammates would alert a referee, and the referee would call a technical foul, which put Michael Jordan on the foul line. The Bulls would then get the basketball back, and they could do the same thing over again if they chose.

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This went on for years!!! That is why there are so many pictures of a 6'6" Michael Jordan being defended one-on-one by a 5'3" Mugsey Bogues. I made sure to put examples of Michael Jordan wearing different numbers in his 'Mugsey Matchups' within the post picture.  You can clearly see that this rule was in effect for several years.

Imagine the type of advantage today's players would have if double teaming was illegal, or if a defender using their arms was banned. For example, every NBA team literally double teams Steph Curry as soon as he passes half court. If not, then he goes crazy, and the Warriors will blow the team out. This is reality and undisputable for the past 8 seasons. With the 'Jordan Rule' Steph Curry would be LITERALLY unstoppable, and it would be unfair. Teams could only hope that he missed, because a single defender would be all alone on an island with no help coming.

Further, Curry is much more deadly than Jordan if you put him on the foul line, so getting technical fouls would not be an option. Also, it would be completely unfair if defenders could not use their arms when attempting to keep Steph "The Chef" out of the lane. Curry already gets where he wants when they do double team him. Bottom line, those rule changes were an incredible advantage for Michael Jordan. Now you know why Jordan fans conveniently forget about these real 'Jordan Rules' in favor of the JORDAN RULES that are really just defensive instructions. 

                          High IQ Hoops

72 IS GREATER THAN 3

Every basketball fan likes who they like. On the other hand, it is usrless to dispute facts. Especially with lopsided comparisons such as this one. Meaning this, how can any rational person make the claim that Michael Jordan was a greater player than Wilt Chamberlain if tbe "Big Dipper" still owns 72 NBA records, while Michael Jordan only has 3?

Unfortunately, some people WANT to believe media propaganda. Yes, even when the statements are illogical and make absolutely no sense. Stating that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of All-time makes no sense - NONE!!! Even a 1st grader knows that 72 is greater than 3 (72 > 3). 

* Actual player value can now be calculated by using each player's own production and accomplishments. Also, the formula is objective and accurate. In fact, it is so easy to use that a 5th grader can master it. For more information click the link below.

                 Player Valuation Numeric

WHO WAS MORE EXPLOSIVE - BARKLEY OR WILLIAMSON

When today's fans watch Zion Williamson play they marvel at his abilty to play above the rim, score inside, and dunk on much taller players. Since Zion Williamson has only average NBA height, and his playing weight is 284 lbs, many analysts consider him an anomoly. 

On the other hand, those that have seen Charles Barkley play say that Zion is a "copy" just like Kobe Bryant was a "copy" of Michael Jordan. They also go a step further and say "Although both are great copies, they do not really compare to the originals."

Both Zion Williamson and Charles Barkley are quick to dunk on someone, often much taller, as soon as they get a glimpse of daylight. Also, they both shoot a very high percentage from the field. Therefore, dunk stats and shooting efficiency cannot be used to differential the two. I decided to go back to the basics, and use the. vertical jump tests results.

When I checked Charles Barkley had recorded a 39" verical at the NBA rookie combine. For the record, in tvat sane combine Michael Jordan recorded a 42" vertical, NOT the 48" nonsense floating on the internet. Zion Williamson, on the other hand, had recorded an amazing 45" vertical at a Duke preseason workout before his freshman year began. According to this initial research Zion Williamson jumped higher than both Barkley and Jordan!!!

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I was shocked and amazed because I have seen them all play at the same ages, and Zion Williamson did not look like he was in the same "rare air" as the former Dream Teamers. I had seen Charles Barkley, a 6'4" +300 lb, dunk on everyone willing to stand in his way. I also saw a slimmed down Barkley (250 lbs) snatch shots out of the air like he was Wilt Chamberlain for over a decade. I felt compelled to see the Duke video for confirmation. That is when I realized that I was not tripping, and my eyes had not deceived me. 

When Charles Barkley (and Michael Jordan) were tested they stood flat footed then leaped into the air. When Zion Williamson was tested, he had a running start. He also used the penultimate step, and arm swing momentum to perfection to reach the 45" mark. This is MUCH EASIER, which means the results are skewed.

Furthermore, Charles "Round Mound of Rebound" Barkley was the player that took the initial vertical jump test. For those that do not know, when Charles Barkley went to training camp Moses Malone told him to his face, "You are fat and lazy. Get in shape." Moses challenged Charles, and Barkley lost over 50 lbs. because he respected the future Hall of Famer, and because Moses was right. Barkley has stated this on several occasions.

Therefore, common sense and basic math allows me to say that Charles Barkley was more explosive and a greater leaper than Zion Williamson. When he recorded his flat footed 39" vertical it was equivalent to the HOF  Charles Barkley jumping with a 60lb.weight vest on. Furthermore, in order to make things equal Zion would have had to put on a 25 lb weight vest, and then take the vertical jump test flat footed. If he did, then his results would be SIGNIFICANTLY lower. Zion Williamson got hurt, became fat, and the Pelicans kept him out for the whole season with instructions to LOSE WEIGHT, and to get his "bounce" back. Enough said.

* Playing above the rim can be a reality no matter what a tour size.  You just have to use the techniques and workouts elite jump athletes and professional dunkers utilize. For this detailed information click the link below.

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WHICH ALL-TIME GREAT POWER FORWARD WAS THE STRONGEST REBOUNDER?

The players in the picture are Bob Pettit, Karl Malone, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. They each have been selected as one of the NBA's All-time Top 75. Also, all three have been an all-star on multiple occassions, as well as NBA MVP. The title's question is far from a "gimme". Before continuing to read on, make a mental selection, and then let's see how close you were.

1) Bob Pettit (6'9") - 792 games & 16.2 rpg

2) Karl Malone (6'9) - 1476 games & 10.1 rpg

3) Giannis Antetokounmpo  (7'0") - 656 games & 9.4 rpg

How many of you looked at the three choices and mentally selected Bob Pettit? Those that did also knew that it wasnt even close. Bob Pettit has the third highest rebounds per game average in NBA history. He is behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, who both incredibly averaged over 22 rebounds per game!!!

* The Top 30 power forwards, along with the Top 30 players of every position, have been revealed in Basketball G.O.A.T. If you would like to see these results, as well as how they were decided, then click the link below for more information.

                      Basketball G.O.A.T

HERE IS HOW NATE "TINY" ARCHIBALD DID IT

During the 1972 - 73 NBA season Nate "Tiny" Archibald led the league in scoring 34.0 ppg, and assists 11.4 apg. No other player has been able to achieve this feat since.

In 1972 I was a lil dude, but still a dreamer and budding basketball fan. I would collect everything basketball related. At the time Pro  Keds (his sneaker sponsor) put out a record series with each of its athletes speaking about their game strategy. I had all of them including Tiny Nate's. Here is what Tiny had to say about his scoring and assists strategy.

First of all, Nate Archibald always played with a chip on his shoulder. His being a smaller player from New York, and not being drafted in the first round made the "chip" bigger. His game and attitude was like Terrible Tim Hardaway's without the "Killa Crossover". He was always in attack mode.  Archibald was able to sustain his momentum because he played, and ran 6 miles each day

Furthermore, Nate Archibald was left handed and like today, far too many defenders get abused by left handed players because they defend them incorrectly. Such was the case with Tiny, accept he was also a blurr on the court, and highly skilled when attacking the basket. Archibsld shot close to 50% that season, and for his career. This stands out because Tiny got most of his points in the lane, and on the foul line.

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Unlike far too many small guards, Nate Archibald embraced contact ala Allen Iverson. Tiny did not have the "bunnies" like AI, but he did something else most would consider "gangsta". Nate would create contact with the big guys, wear them down, and get them in foul trouble by driving straight at them. 

The difference was tha Tiny would take off with his knees high and use them as "weapons". On the record Nate Archibald even stated "There was something about my knee landing square into their midsections that did not allow them to defend quite as well." The full on "knee attack" landed Tiny on the foul line 10 times per game. Add this to his unstoppable open court play and one can see why Tiny had his way offensively.

In addition, Archibald was able to rack up assist because he knew his teammates strengths and where they liked to shoot. Nate could get into the lane whenever he wanted and draw multiple defenders. Therefore, every time down Tiny would put pressure on the defense which would consistently lead to his scoring or a teammate doing the honors via an assist.

Most NBA players are either not as well conditioned or bold enough to compete as Nate "Tiny" Archibald did when he had his one-of-a-kind year. Those that are have not shown the unselfishness required to average anywhere near double figure assists. Nate "Tiny" Archibald's accomplishment may stand for as long as Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game.

* Nate Archibald is one of the Top 30 point guards of all-time. Would you like to know just where he ranks amongst the 150 greatest players ever and how it was all decided? Just click the link below for more information.

                     Basketball G.O.A.T

SUCCESSFUL ATHLETES vs. UNSUCCESSFUL ATHLETES

Successful and unsuccessful athletes can look alike, and even compete against one another, but they are as different as night and day. The successful athletes have "intangible traits" that set them apart from the rest. Good players compete well, but players with these untouchable qualities play to win, and they usually do!!!

* Great players have several "intangible traits", but average players have very few. Do you want to be great, or just average. For more detailed information click the link below.

                        Intangible Traits

STEPH CURRY IS ELITE AND ONE-OF-A-KIND

Steph Curry is a two-time NBA MVP, two time scoring champion, and the greatest shooter of All-time. These are documented FACTS. When he came back for the playoffs after missing the remainder of the regular sesson, his coach Steve Kerr kept Jordan Poole in the starting line up and decided to work Steph into minutes.

For the record, Jordan Poole had been playing great, and he was "turning it up" in the playoffs. In reality, 99.9% of the "great" players in the league would not be as understanding about being "benched" if they had Curry's resume and pedigree. In fact, Allen Iverson retired before he would come off of the bench - REAL TALK.

Steph Curry is "different". In his first game back he shook off the rust, had a fair shooting night, but he still was intrical to their game 1 victory. In game 2 Curry came off of the bench again, dropped 34 points in only 23 minutes, and they blew out the Nuggets.

All basketball players, especially the "stars", should be taking notes of how the "winners" think. It doesn't matter who starts opposed to who finishes. Steph Curry came off of the bench, and scored more points than everyone else in less than half of the game. Curry remained silent, but his game spoke for him, not the coach.

Jordan Poole was playing awesome basketball along with the other Warriors. Reporters asked him if he should remain the starter, and he said "no comment". They asked him if he should shoot technicals (Steph missed two one night), and he said "no comment" once again. We all know that he wanted to say yes, but he knew deep down that he was a starter on borrowed time. The Warriors chose Steph Curry over Kevin Durant, so what chance does Jordan Poole really have of  replacing Steph?

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No matter who starts the fact still remains, there is no one like Steph Curry. The Warriors pay him over $40M/year for a reason. If you have been watching GSW games then you have noticed that EVERY team guards Curry different from EVERYONE else, even when he comes off the bench. Although both Klay Thompson,  and Jordan Poole are lighting it up, the double teams still go to Curry as soon as he passes half court.

For several years now NBA teams have left Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, and ALL the other Warriors, wide open or with single coverage for a legitimate reason. Refusing to double team Steph Curry usually results with him getting 30 points in three quarters, and a GSW blowout victory. 

Steph Curry sat out the fourth quarter 16 times in his first MVP season (2014 - 2015). Since then and the double teams have become MANDATORY. Look what he did in the last All-star game with single coverage (50 points). 

No other player in the NBA gets double teamed constantly like Step Curry. It is just not necessary. Steph Curry is on a level all his own, and EVERYONE knows it. Disputing this reality is useless. A blind man can see that he is THE MAN and "one-of-a-kind". Shaquille  O'Neal was absolutely correct when he recently stated "Steph Curry is by far the best player in the world."

* Steph Curry is not the biggest or most athletic player, but he is "the best" for two reasons; a superior skill set, and a high basketball IQ. Players have to put in the time to develop their skills, but they can significantly upgrade their basketball IQ in a short amount of time. For more detailed information about High IQ Hoops click the link below.

                         High IQ Hoops