RECAP
In 1986-87, Jordan began a string of consecutive NBA scoring titles that would
last for seven seasons until his surprise temporary retirement in 1993. He
scored a career-high 37.1 points per game and became the first player since
Wilt Chamberlain to top 3,000 points in a season. In November and December
he went on a rampage and rang up 40 points or more in nine straight games.
He poured in 58 points against the New Jersey Nets on February 26, then toasted
the Atlanta Hawks for 61 on April 16 in a game in which he sank an NBA-record
23 points in a row. Jordan also became the first player in league history
to record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season.
Jordan played in the All-Star Game, won the Slam Dunk Championship, and was
named to the All-NBA First Team. Despite Jordan's all-world performance, the
Bulls still couldn't break above the .500 mark. They slipped a notch in the
Central Division, finishing fifth with a 40-42 record, and drew Boston in
the first round of the playoffs. For the second straight year, the Celtics
sent the Bulls home with a three-game sweep. Jordan averaged 35.7 points but
shot just .417 from the field in that series.
HONORS
All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Star Starter
Slam Dunk Champion
