Throwback: Michael Jordan Blatantly Claims To Not Want To Excel In His 3 Point Shooting For A Singular Reason

Michael Jordan wasn’t known to be an elite shooter from beyond the arc due to every other aspect of his game being much more refined. However, in an interview from over 3 decades ago, MJ let everybody know exactly why the 3-point shot wasn’t really in his arsenal.

“My three-point shooting is something I don’t want to excel at because it takes away from all phases of my game. My game is fake, drive to the hole, penetrate, dish-off, dunk. When you have that mentality of making threes, you don’t go to the hole as much. You go to the three-point line and start sitting there, waiting for someone to find you. That’s not my mentality, and I don’t want to create it because it takes away from the other parts of my game.”

 

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Jordan had an exceptional mid-range game and was crafty enough to get to the rim at will. He didn’t need three-pointers to have massive scoring nights, so never felt the need to excel at it. While his attitude towards three-point shooting was the norm in the 1990s, it would never work in today’s NBA, as almost every team’s offensive philosophy revolves around shooting threes or using the threat of threes to space the floor and create lanes.

Had the Bulls icon played in the NBA’s current era, he would’ve had a completely different mindset regarding three-pointers. Given his competitive drive, he would’ve likely been an excellent shooter from beyond as well.

Michael Jordan performed terribly during the 3-Point Contest

Jordan’s lack of proficiency from beyond the arc left him red-faced at the 1990 All-Star Weekend. He participated in the Three-Point Contest and shot a horrendous 5-for-30, finishing with a 16.67% conversion rate, the worst for any player in the competition’s history. Given his mentality of wanting to be the best at everything he did, it would’ve been safe to assume that the Chicago Bulls icon would participate again and redeem himself.

But surprisingly, Jordan never took part in the Three-Point Contest again. His underwhelming display in 1990 remains his sole appearance in the marquee event. The Bulls superstar’s lack of desire for redemption was unbecoming of him however his nonchalance towards the 3-point shot is probably the reason for this.