Michael Jordan had two Slam Dunk contest titles under his belt by the time the 1990 NBA All-Star Weekend rolled around. He’d done that, won league MVP, ASG MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, scoring titles. Most everything short of a ring. But its oft forgotten that as he was toning down his air game and mastering his floor game, Jordan wanted to prove he could work from long range. So he did during the first half of the 89-90 season, shooting 55 of 141 beyond the arc, good for a really solid 39% clip. But what’s the regular season going to prove. Got to beat the best. So MJ, the definition of competitive, entered the Three Point Shooting contest to test his might against bombers like Mark Price, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and his Bulls teammate Craig Hodges.
He shot the ball terribly, only managing a contest low five points of a possible 30 which, of course, bounced him in the first round. It’s just about the only NBA challenge he didn’t conquer.
But a couple good things happened that early February evening. One, Michael Jordan participated in a Three Point contest, something he’d never done before and wouldn’t repeat. And two, he debuted the Air Jordan V in White/Black-Fire Red.
It’s back next year.
Pics above, and watch the video below for some classic, if inelegant, MJ shooting in the V.
and that’s why him hitting all those three pointers in the ’92 finals were a big deal…smh lol still GOAT