NOSEBLEED SPORTS MEDIA
MJ Mondays
NO DEBATE. JUST RECEIPTS.
VOL. 1, NO. 36 · NOVEMBER 2, 2026 · EVERY MONDAY
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
THEME 36
Theme 36
53pts 30.1 59%
MICHAEL JORDAN SEASON AVERAGE THIS GAME FG%
On 1987-01-08, Jordan scored 53 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on 20-of-34 shooting (59%).
He added 4 rebounds and 5 assists. The Bulls won.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trail Blazers 1987-01-08
4 5 20/34 W
POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS FG RESULT
53 Points.
VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS — 1987-01-08
Jordan went against the Portland Trail Blazers at home and scored 53 points on 20-of-34 shooting. He
grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists. He also made 13 free throws on 16 attempts. The Bulls won the
game. This was during the 1986-87 season.
MJ VS TODAY 03
The Theme 36 Debate
JORDAN'S RECORD MODERN COMPARISON
POINTS BEST MODERN EQUIVALENT
53 Anthony Edwards
FG% VS ERA
SEASON CONTEXT
1987 Different rules, different pace
Jordan's 53-point performance on 1987-01-08 represents the kind of dominant individual output that defines
the GOAT conversation.
What's your take on theme 36?
JORDAN IS UNMATCHED MODERN PLAYERS ARE CLOSE DIFFERENT ERAS, CAN'T COMPARE
THE STATS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
THE COLDEST MJ MOMENT 04
THE JORDAN STANDARD
Theme 36
When Jordan scored 53 against the Portland Trail Blazers, it was another example of his
ability to elevate beyond what anyone thought was possible. The 59% shooting efficiency
on that volume of attempts is what separated him from every other scorer in history.
THE MJ STAT VAULT 05
53 POINTS — 1987-01-08 VS POR 59% FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
20/34 FG, 4 rebounds, 5 assists. Shot 20-of-34 from the field in this game.
REBOUNDS FREE THROWS MADE (OF 16)
From a shooting guard. In the same game Drew 16 free throw attempts through
he scored 53. aggressive attacking.
30.1 CAREER PPG
The highest career scoring average in NBA history. Every game was an event.
THE FORGOTTEN MAN 06
OVERLOOKED · UNDERRATED · DESERVES MORE
Xavier McDaniel
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS / NEW YORK KNICKS · 1985–1996
17.3 PPG CAREER AVERAGE · THE 'X MAN'
The Most Physical Small Forward Jordan Competed Against
Xavier McDaniel was one of the most physically intimidating small forwards in NBA history — strong,
explosive, unafraid of contact. He averaged 17.3 points per game for his career and was a legitimate
defensive challenge for Jordan in terms of physicality. He played for 7 teams in 11 seasons — moved around
too much to build a sustained team narrative. He was exactly the kind of player Jordan respected: someone
who competed physically, never backed down, and forced Jordan to earn every basket.
The Jordan Connection: McDaniel's Seattle SuperSonics teams in the late 1980s were the Western
Conference's toughest physical team. When he moved east to the Knicks in 1992, he became another piece of
the physical wall Pat Riley was building against Jordan.
Who's Your Forgotten Man?
Reply with a player who deserves more credit. Best answer gets featured next Monday.
MJ MONDAYS The Jordan Era · 1984–2003
Every Monday. No exceptions.