NOSEBLEED SPORTS MEDIA
MJ Mondays
NO DEBATE. JUST RECEIPTS.
VOL. 1, NO. 42 · DECEMBER 14, 2026 · EVERY MONDAY
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
THEME 42
Theme 42
52pts 30.1 70%
MICHAEL JORDAN SEASON AVERAGE THIS GAME FG%
On 1988-11-26, Jordan scored 52 points against the Denver Nuggets on 19-of-27 shooting (70%). He
added 11 rebounds and 7 assists. The Bulls lost.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
Chicago Bulls @ Denver Nuggets 1988-11-26
11 7 19/27 L
POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS FG RESULT
52 Points.
@ DENVER NUGGETS — 1988-11-26
Jordan went to Denver Nuggets and scored 52 points on 19-of-27 shooting. He grabbed 11 rebounds and
dished 7 assists. He also made 11 free throws on 14 attempts. The Bulls lost the game. This was during the
1988-89 season.
MJ VS TODAY 03
The Theme 42 Debate
JORDAN'S RECORD MODERN COMPARISON
POINTS BEST MODERN EQUIVALENT
52 Anthony Edwards
FG% VS ERA
SEASON CONTEXT
1989 Different rules, different pace
Jordan's 52-point performance on 1988-11-26 represents the kind of dominant individual output that defines
the GOAT conversation.
What's your take on theme 42?
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 42
When Jordan scored 52 against the Denver Nuggets, it was another example of his ability
to elevate beyond what anyone thought was possible. The 70% shooting efficiency on that
volume of attempts is what separated him from every other scorer in history.
THE MJ STAT VAULT 05
52 POINTS — 1988-11-26 VS DEN 70% FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
19/27 FG, 11 rebounds, 7 assists. Shot 19-of-27 from the field in this game.
REBOUNDS FREE THROWS MADE (OF 14)
From a shooting guard. In the same game Drew 14 free throw attempts through
he scored 52. 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
Pervis Ellison
WASHINGTON BULLETS / VARIOUS · 1989–2000
1990 MOST IMPROVED PLAYER · INJURIES ELIMINATED HIS PRIME
Never Nervous — Career Defined By Injuries Instead Of Games
Pervis Ellison was nicknamed 'Never Nervous' and won the 1990 Most Improved Player award after
averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds for Washington. Then injuries hit — repeated knee problems eliminated
his prime years. He played 8 NBA seasons but accumulated only 463 games. His healthy year showed a
legitimate star-level player. The injuries took everything else. He's remembered as a what-if rather than what
he actually was: for one season, the most improved player in the NBA.
The Jordan Connection: Ellison's Washington Bullets were the franchise Jordan would eventually join for the
Wizards era. The organization's history of developing players and losing them to injuries or circumstance is a
through-line from Ellison to Jordan's final two seasons.
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.