Michael Jordan was the pinnacle of scoring prowess during his remarkable NBA career. Throughout Michael Jordan’s career, every season presents a unique mix of obstacles and victories. He nevertheless continued to set the bar for excellence on the basketball floor with his unwavering scoring ability. Together with him, a number of players lived up to the challenge, helping the team win and securing their place in NBA history.
1984-85 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 28.2 PPG
2. Orlando Woolridge – 22.9 PPG
In his rookie season, Michael Jordan wasted no time making a significant impact in the NBA. He demonstrated his scoring ability by averaging an impressive 28.2 points per game, while Orlando Woolridge provided valuable support with 22.9 points per game. Despite their offensive prowess, the Chicago Bulls ended the season with a record of 38-44, falling short in the NBA Eastern Conference First Round against the Bucks.
Jordan’s rookie year was marked by remarkable achievements. Alongside his scoring, he showcased versatility with 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, establishing himself as a multifaceted talent. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the All-Star game and secured the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. Moreover, Jordan’s impact transcended individual honors, as he played a crucial role in leading the Bulls to the playoffs in his first season, setting the stage for his future dominance in the league.
1985-86 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 22.5 PPG
2. Orlando Woolridge – 20.7 PPG
Jordan and the Bulls had a different story to tell the next season. Jordan’s career was cut short by a knee injury that kept him out of only eighteen games, yet even with that setback, he was still averaging 22.7 points per game. Orlando Woolridge led the club in scoring once more, averaging 20.7 points per contest.
The Bulls, on the other hand, had a difficult time winning on the court and ended with a 30-52 record. They lost to the Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference First Round, ending their postseason run. Jordan’s perseverance was evident in spite of the difficulties, as he was able to secure an All-Star selection despite having an injury-shortened season.
1986-87 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 37.1 PPG
2. Charles Oakley – 14.5 PPG
The 1986-87 season witnessed Michael Jordan reaching new heights in scoring excellence, as he erupted for an astonishing 37.1 points per game. His offensive prowess was nothing short of mesmerizing, captivating basketball fans worldwide. Alongside him, Charles Oakley emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer, providing valuable support with 14.5 points per game.
Despite Jordan’s scoring outburst, the Chicago Bulls finished the season with a modest record of 40-42. Their playoff journey was cut short in the NBA Eastern Conference First Round against the formidable Celtics. Nevertheless, Jordan’s individual brilliance shone through, as he continued to elevate his game, earning his third All-Star selection in the process.
1987-88 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 35.0 PPG
2. Sam Vincent – 13.0 PPG
The subsequent season saw Michael Jordan maintaining his scoring dominance, averaging an impressive 35.0 points per game. Jordan’s offensive onslaught was complemented by the contributions of Sam Vincent, who emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer with 13.0 points per game.
The Chicago Bulls enjoyed a more successful campaign, finishing the season with a commendable record of 50-32. Their postseason journey saw them advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they faced a formidable challenge in the Detroit Pistons. Despite their efforts, the Bulls succumbed to the Pistons in a hard-fought series.
Jordan’s remarkable season did not go unnoticed, as he garnered a plethora of accolades, including the MVP award, a spot on the All-NBA First Team, and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Additionally, he earned his fourth All-Star selection, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier talents.
1988-89 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 32.5 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 14.4 PPG
The 1988-89 season witnessed Michael Jordan continuing his scoring dominance, averaging an impressive 32.5 points per game. Jordan’s scoring prowess was complemented by the emergence of Scottie Pippen as the team’s second-leading scorer, providing valuable support with 14.4 points per game.
Despite Jordan’s individual brilliance, the Chicago Bulls finished the season with a solid record of 47-35. Their playoff journey saw them advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced a formidable challenge in the Detroit Pistons. Despite a valiant effort, the Bulls fell short against the Pistons in a hard-fought series.
His remarkable season earned him numerous accolades, including a spot on the All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Team, and his inclusion in the All-Star game. Additionally, he finished third in MVP voting, underscoring his impact on the league.
1989-90 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 33.6 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 16.5 PPG
The subsequent season saw Michael Jordan once again asserting his scoring dominance, averaging an impressive 33.6 points per game. Jordan’s offensive onslaught was accompanied by the continued emergence of Scottie Pippen, who solidified his role as the team’s second-leading scorer with 16.5 points per game.
The Chicago Bulls enjoyed a successful campaign, finishing the season with an impressive record of 55-27. Their postseason journey saw them advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, once again facing the Detroit Pistons in a highly anticipated matchup. Despite their best efforts, the Bulls fell short against the Pistons in a grueling seven-game series.
1990-91 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 31.5 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 17.8 PPG
The 1990-91 season marked a significant milestone in Michael Jordan’s career as he led the Chicago Bulls to their first NBA championship. Jordan continued his scoring dominance, averaging an impressive 31.5 points per game. Alongside him, Scottie Pippen emerged as a formidable scoring threat, providing valuable support with 17.8 points per game.
The Bulls enjoyed a stellar regular season, finishing with an outstanding record of 61-21 and securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Their postseason journey culminated in a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Led by Jordan’s remarkable performances, the Bulls defeated the Lakers in a convincing 4-1 series victory. Jordan’s stellar season earned him numerous accolades, including his second MVP award, his first Finals MVP award, and his first NBA championship.
1991-92 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 30.1 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 21.0 PPG
The following season saw Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls continuing their reign of dominance in the NBA. Jordan maintained his scoring excellence, averaging 30.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Scottie Pippen elevated his game to new heights, emerging as the team’s second-leading scorer with an impressive 21.0 points per game.
The Bulls once again enjoyed a remarkable regular season, finishing with a league-best record of 67-15 and capturing the top spot in the NBA Central Division. Their postseason journey culminated in a highly anticipated rematch with the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals. Led by Jordan’s transcendent performances, the Bulls secured their second consecutive NBA championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Blazers. Jordan’s stellar season earned him his third MVP award, his second Finals MVP award, and his second NBA championship.
1992-93 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 32.6 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 18.6 PPG
The 1992-93 season witnessed Michael Jordan leading the charge once again, averaging an astounding 32.6 points per game. Jordan’s scoring prowess propelled the Chicago Bulls to an impressive record of 57-25, securing the top spot in the NBA Central Division. His relentless performance extended into the playoffs, where he guided the Bulls to victory in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, securing his third consecutive NBA championship.
Scottie Pippen provided crucial support as the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game. Pippen’s versatility and defensive prowess complemented Jordan’s offensive brilliance, forming a formidable duo that proved too much for their opponents to handle. Together, they propelled the Bulls to another successful season, solidifying their dominance in the NBA.
1994-95 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 26.9 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 21.4 PPG
The 1994-95 season presented a unique challenge for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. After returning from retirement, Jordan showcased his scoring prowess once again, averaging 26.9 points per game. However, his contributions were limited to just 17 games in the regular season due to his late-season return.
Despite Jordan’s return, the Bulls faced a formidable opponent in the Orlando Magic in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite the efforts of Jordan and Pippen, the Bulls fell short in a hard-fought series, ending their postseason run prematurely. Nevertheless, Jordan’s remarkable comeback earned him recognition, as he finished 11th in MVP voting, showcasing his enduring impact on the game of basketball.
Scottie Pippen emerged as the team’s leading scorer during Jordan’s absence, averaging an impressive 21.4 points per game. Pippen’s stellar play underscored his importance to the Bulls, as he stepped up in Jordan’s absence to keep the team competitive.
1995-96 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 30.4 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 19.4 PPG
The 1995-96 NBA season is etched in basketball history as one of the most dominant campaigns ever witnessed. At the forefront of this dominance was Michael Jordan, whose scoring prowess seemed boundless as he averaged an astounding 30.4 points per game. Jordan’s relentless pursuit of excellence was complemented by the versatile contributions of Scottie Pippen, who provided vital scoring support with 19.4 points per game.
But it wasn’t just individual brilliance that defined the Bulls’ season; it was their collective effort and unwavering commitment to success. With a remarkable record of 72 wins against just 10 losses, the Bulls etched their names in the annals of NBA history, clinching the top seed in the highly competitive Central Division.
The playoffs saw the Bulls march towards their fourth NBA championship with a sense of inevitability, as Jordan once again elevated his game to unprecedented heights. His stellar performance earned him not only his fourth MVP award but also his fourth Finals MVP, solidifying his status as the undisputed king of basketball.
1996-97 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 29.6 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 20.2 PPG
The 1996-97 NBA season was a continuation of the Bulls’ reign of dominance, with Michael Jordan leading the charge once again. Despite the passage of time, Jordan’s scoring prowess showed no signs of waning, as he averaged an impressive 29.6 points per game. Alongside him, Scottie Pippen continued to be a vital cog in the Bulls’ offensive machine, contributing 20.2 points per game.
The regular season saw the Bulls maintain their stranglehold on the league, finishing with a stellar record of 69 wins and just 13 losses, once again clinching the top seed in the Central Division. In the playoffs, the Bulls faced stiff competition from the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals.
However, led by Jordan’s heroics, they emerged victorious, securing their fifth championship in seven years. Jordan’s brilliance on the court was duly recognized, as he captured his fifth Finals MVP award, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood.
1997-98 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 28.7 PPG
2. Scottie Pippen – 19.1 PPG
The 1997-98 NBA season marked the culmination of an era for the Chicago Bulls, led by the incomparable Michael Jordan. Jordan continued to defy age and opponents alike, averaging an impressive 28.7 points per game. Alongside him, Scottie Pippen provided valuable scoring support, contributing 19.1 points per game to the team’s offensive arsenal.
Despite speculation about the Bulls’ future, they maintained their dominance during the regular season, finishing with an impressive 62-20 record and securing the top spot in the NBA Central Division. As the playoffs unfolded, the Bulls faced off against familiar foes in the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals.
In a thrilling six-game series, Jordan once again rose to the occasion, leading the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship. His contributions didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned his fifth MVP award and his sixth Finals MVP award.
2001-02 NBA Season
1. Michael Jordan – 22.9 PPG
2. Rip Hamilton – 20.0 PPG
After a brief hiatus, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA, this time donning the jersey of the Washington Wizards. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Jordan’s scoring prowess remained evident as he averaged 22.9 points per game. Joining him on the scoring front was Rip Hamilton, who provided support with 20.0 points per game.
The Wizards’ season saw them finish with a record of 37-45, placing them fifth in the NBA Atlantic Division. Despite the team’s struggles to make a deep playoff run, Jordan’s impact on the court was undeniable. His leadership and scoring ability earned him a spot in his thirteenth All-Star game, showcasing his enduring influence on the game of basketball.
2002-03 NBA Season
1. Jerry Stackhouse – 21.5 PPG
2. Michael Jordan – 20.0 PPG
Michael Jordan made a brief comeback to the NBA, this time wearing the Washington Wizards uniform. Even though Jordan was nearing the end of his career, his ability to score was still evident as he averaged 22.9 points per game. With 20.0 points per game, Rip Hamilton supported him in the scoring department.
With a 37-45 record at the end of the season, the Wizards finished fifth in the NBA Atlantic Division. Jordan’s influence on the court was evident even in the face of the team’s failure to go far in the playoffs. He was selected for his thirteenth All-Star game because to his leadership and scoring prowess, demonstrating his ongoing impact on basketball.
2002-03 NBA Season
1. Jerry Stackhouse – 21.5 PPG
2. Michael Jordan – 20.0 PPG
In his last NBA season, Michael Jordan defied expectations, displaying glimpses of his brilliance on the court. Despite a slight decrease in scoring, averaging 20.0 points per game, Jordan’s unmatched competitive spirit remained evident. Jerry Stackhouse emerged as the team’s top scorer with 21.5 points per game, while Jordan continued to contribute in various aspects of the game.
The Washington Wizards concluded the season with a 37-45 record, again securing the fifth spot in the NBA Atlantic Division. Despite falling short of postseason success, Jordan’s influence transcended mere statistics. His leadership and basketball expertise were palpable as he guided the team through his final NBA campaign. Jordan’s illustrious career was honored with his fourteenth All-Star selection, a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy in the basketball world.
Overall Conclusion
To summarize, Michael Jordan’s unmatched scoring prowess defined his NBA career, as he consistently emerged as the primary scorer for his team throughout the majority of his time in the league. Remarkably, Jordan led his team in scoring for an incredible 14 out of the 15 seasons he played, underscoring his enduring dominance on the basketball court.
With a career scoring average of 30.1 points per game, Jordan not only established himself as the premier scorer on his team but also left an indelible mark on NBA history as one of the most prolific scorers ever. His ability to elevate his performance in crucial moments, coupled with his relentless work ethic and unmatched skill set, made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and a symbol of excellence for aspiring basketball players worldwide.