Michael Jordan 2003: 41pts at age 39 Vs. Indiana Pacers

In years before, if you took away MJ’s driving lanes, he’d kill you from the outside. If you took away his jumper with perimeter double teams, he’d kill you with his drives. If you tried to do both, he’d kill you with creativity, mental will and wisdom. At the age of 39, father time and injury took away his legs but it could not take away his mind. His mind alone was still good for 40 points and whenever a tough old rival like the Pacers or an old adversary like Miller was around, MJ was always his usual ‘old’ self – entering his ‘zone’ – conquering matter with his mind. In this game, MJ’s wisdom provided the clutch efficiency to bring the lagging Wizards into OT. With 18 points in the last 6:30 of the 4th quarter, MJ pushed his team to victory in double-OT with his usual clutch defense. Perhaps the young and athletic Jermaine O’Neal reminded MJ of the days when the Great Centers elevated his game. Whatever the case, in year 2 of the NBA’s allowance of ‘zone’ defense, there was still some hand-checking around (unlike today). But the only ‘zone’ that mattered was his own. With real battles against time and injury to fight instead of silly new rules placed in his wake to help his pseudo-imitators, MJ was making history with a record 41pts at age 39 – a record he would shatter just one month later with 45 points against the Hornets.
Video Rating: 4 / 5