Michael Jordan’s days as a Washington Wizards are one’s that fans don’t like to commemorate, but it would be an absolute travesty to not stow away some memories from his short stint in a Wizards uniform.
A 38-year-old Jordan dropping 51 points on the then Charlotte Hornets in December of 2001 is definitely one of those moments that needs to be tucked away in the cache, so for this week’s #MJMonday, we take a stroll down memory lane and watch Ol’ Man Mike torch the youngin’s on the court.
What’s so astonishing about Jordan’s 51-point outburst? The fact that he unearthed a bevy of moves on Charlotte, but none that were peppered with blinding quickness or explosive athletic ability. He used his intellect to dominate, and at age 38 that was his most forceful weapon.
If you’re like me and are wondering who shared the floor with Jordan that night, no worries I’ve got you covered. Starting along Jordan for the Wizards was: Hubert Davis, Jahidi White, Chris Whitney and Popeye Jones. Tyrone Nesby, Kwame Brown, Brendan Haywood and current Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue.
On Charlotte’s side you had Baron Davis, P.J. Brown, David Wesley, Elden Campbell and Lee Nailon, with Jamaal Magloire and Stacey Augmon seeing time off the pine.
What’s even more remarkable is that Jordan recorded a 45-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist performance the very next game against the New Jersey Nets, giving vigor to the notion that Jordan is indeed the greatest of all-time.
