NOSEBLEED SPORTS MEDIA
MJ Mondays
NO DEBATE. JUST RECEIPTS.
VOL. 1, NO. 43 · DECEMBER 21, 2026 · EVERY MONDAY
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
THEME 43
Theme 43
52pts 30.1 54%
MICHAEL JORDAN SEASON AVERAGE THIS GAME FG%
On 1989-12-20, Jordan scored 52 points against the Orlando Magic on 20-of-37 shooting (54%). He
added 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The Bulls lost.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic 1989-12-20
5 7 20/37 L
POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS FG RESULT
52 Points.
@ ORLANDO MAGIC — 1989-12-20
Jordan went to Orlando Magic and scored 52 points on 20-of-37 shooting. He grabbed 5 rebounds and
dished 7 assists. He also made 10 free throws on 10 attempts. The Bulls lost the game. This was during the
1989-90 season.
MJ VS TODAY 03
The Theme 43 Debate
JORDAN'S RECORD MODERN COMPARISON
POINTS BEST MODERN EQUIVALENT
52 Anthony Edwards
FG% VS ERA
SEASON CONTEXT
1990 Different rules, different pace
Jordan's 52-point performance on 1989-12-20 represents the kind of dominant individual output that defines
the GOAT conversation.
What's your take on theme 43?
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 43
When Jordan scored 52 against the Orlando Magic, it was another example of his ability to
elevate beyond what anyone thought was possible. The 54% shooting efficiency on that
volume of attempts is what separated him from every other scorer in history.
THE MJ STAT VAULT 05
52 POINTS — 1989-12-20 VS ORL 54% FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
20/37 FG, 5 rebounds, 7 assists. Shot 20-of-37 from the field in this game.
REBOUNDS FREE THROWS MADE (OF 10)
From a shooting guard. In the same game Drew 10 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
Dikembe Mutombo
DENVER NUGGETS / VARIOUS · 1991–2009
3.3 BPG CAREER AVERAGE — 2ND ALL-TIME IN BLOCKS
The Finger Wag Nobody Could Score On
Dikembe Mutombo is second all-time in career blocked shots — 3,289. His finger wag after every blocked
shot became one of the most iconic gestures in basketball history. He won Defensive Player of the Year four
times. He never won a championship. He anchored the 1994 Denver Nuggets team that became the first 8-
seed to upset a 1-seed in NBA history (beating Seattle). Against Jordan's Bulls in the Eastern Conference,
Mutombo's teams never got to compete directly. But his defensive dominance shaped the era.
The Jordan Connection: The Mutombo-era dominant center represents the defensive standard Jordan's game
had to overcome at the rim. Jordan's floater, his runner, his ability to score in traffic — all of it developed partly
in response to rim protectors like Mutombo redefining what defense at the basket looked like.
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.