How 40 year old Michael Jordan made the NBA players look stupid

At the age of 40, Michael Jordan made NBA players seem stupid during his 2002-2003 season with the Washington Wizards by using his unmatched basketball IQ and honed skills to make up for his reduced athleticism.Even with knee tendinitis and a severed tendon in his finger, he outwitted younger defenders with clever fakes and accurate mid-range jump shots, like when he dunked on Jermaine O’Neal and scored 41 points against the Pacers, or effortlessly dropped 45 points against the Hornets.

Michael Jordan becomes the first 40 year old to score 40 points in an NBA game

Following Michael Jordan’s 40th birthday on February 17, 2003, Jordan participated in the last 30 games of the season. He logged 40 or more minutes in 17 of those matches.

After hitting 40, Jordan managed to score 30 or more points four times.On February 21, 2003, Jordan went up against the New Jersey Nets and dropped 43 points in just 43 minutes. He shot 18-for-30 from the field and didn't even attempt a three-pointer. Plus, he grabbed 10 rebounds, made 4 steals, and dished out 3 assists, helping the Wizards secure an 89-86 victory.

With 34 seconds on the clock, Jordan hit a driving layup to secure the victory.

He chatted with the media after the game, “I don't feel like 40. I feel good. I feel like I can compete, and on certain nights I can compete with the best.” This made him the first 40-year-old to score 40 or more points in an NBA game.On March 9, 2003, Jordan put up 39 points while playing against the New York Knicks. It was one of the top-scoring games for a player who was 40 years old.

Michael Jordan drew crowds like Michael Jackson

It was clear that Michael Jordan had a competitive streak. Etan Thomas, a center for the Wizards, talked about what it was like to travel with him, “It was like traveling with Michael Jackson or something.

I saw people look at him and just start crying, craziest thing I’ve ever seen.” Popeye Jones noted during games, “He would get the ball and we would all just stand around and watch.”During the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003, Jordan took the court after Vince Carter relinquished his position. He managed to score 20 points in a game that extended into double overtime.

Jordan made a fadeaway jumper that put the East ahead just before the end of regulation. Jermaine O'Neal committed a foul on Kobe Bryant while he was attempting a three-pointer, resulting in free throws that pushed the game into overtime.

Earlier in the season, on January 4, 2003, Michael Jordan dropped 41 points in a thrilling double-overtime victory against the Indiana Pacers. He even dunked on Jermaine O'Neal during the game. This all happened just before he turned 40.

On February 1, 2003, in a game against the New Orleans Hornets, Jordan lit it up with 45 points on 18-of-33 shooting. He also racked up 6 assists and pulled down 3 rebounds, leading to a 109-104 win.

This was his best performance of the season, happening only 16 days before he turned 40.

Michael Jordan’s presence raised the standard of practices and games for the Washington Wizards

During the 2002-2003 season, Michael Jordan played in every one of the 82 games for the Wizards, starting in 67 of those. He put up an average of 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals each game. When he was a starter, his stats improved to 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Unfortunately, the Wizards ended the season with a 37-45 record and missed the playoffs.Teammates recognized how much he influenced both practices and games. Wizards forward Popeye Jones remembered a scrimmage where Jordan concentrated on passing, mentioning after practice, “I had no idea you could pass that way.”.Michael Jordan replied, “Oh, I can pass. I see everything. I just want to score.” In another instance, before a preseason game in Miami, Jordan told his teammates, “I’m gonna show you boys how to get 20 points in a quarter and then I’m gonna go sit down.”

He scored 18 points in the first quarter.Hubert Davis, a Wizards guard, described a practice where Jordan switched teams to guard him intensely, saying afterward, “This is no different than playing in Game 7 of the NBA Finals—competing is competing.” Davis also stated, “Every game that I played with the Wizards with Michael—there wasn’t a game when he wasn’t the best player on the floor.”Opponents respected his play. Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal said after a game, “He still has it.”

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce commented, “Jordan at this age is better than about 90 percent of the players today.”Even at 40, Michael Jordan showed that being great isn’t only about being athletic — it’s about having the right mindset, skills, and an unstoppable will to compete.Also Read: “I blacked out basically” — Stephen Curry admits golf ace made him lose control in front of everyoneHis stint with the Washington Wizards might not have brought home any championships, but it showed that Jordan’s influence was much greater than just the stats, setting higher standards, putting opponents in their place, and teaching younger players what real competitiveness is all about.