Gene James vs. Michael Jordan Season by Season Comparison
Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Michael Jordan and Gene James, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.
Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.
Gene James played 3 years in the NBA, 12 less than Michael Jordan, who played 15. Gene James had the first of his seasons in 1948-49, while Michael Jordan had his rookie season in 1984-85. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.
Their Careers | |||
Player | Total Seasons | Playoffs Played | NBA Years |
Gene James | 3 | 2 | 1948-49 to 1950-51 |
Michael Jordan | 15 | 13 | 1984-85 to 2002-03 |
Comparison Season by Season |
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Rookie Season |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | 1948-49 | 1984-85 |
Team | New York Knicks | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | All-NBA Second Team |
- | Rookie of the Year | |
- | All-Rookie First Team | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | Knicks Lost East Div Finals | Bulls Lost East Conf 1st Rd |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | 11 | - | 3.8 | - | - | - | 0.5 | - | - | - | 1.8 | 1.6 | 4.4 | .375 | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.1 | .500 |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 38.3 | 28.2 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 10.2 | 19.8 | .515 | 0.1 | 0.6 | .173 | 7.7 | 9.1 | .845 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | 3 | - | 0.7 | - | - | - | 0.7 | - | - | - | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | .000 | - | - | - | 0.7 | 1.3 | .500 |
Michael Jordan | 4 | 42.8 | 29.3 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 8.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 8.5 | 19.5 | .436 | 0.3 | 2.0 | .125 | 12.0 | 14.5 | .828 |
Season 2 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | 1949-50 | 1985-86 |
Team | New York Knicks | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | All-Star Game |
Playoffs | Knicks Lost East Div Finals | Bulls Lost East Conf 1st Rd |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | 29 | - | 1.8 | - | - | - | 0.7 | - | - | - | 1.8 | 0.7 | 2.2 | .297 | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.1 | .452 |
Michael Jordan | 18 | 25.1 | 22.7 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 8.3 | 18.2 | .457 | 0.2 | 1.0 | .167 | 5.8 | 6.9 | .840 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | 1 | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | .333 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 0.0 | - |
Michael Jordan | 3 | 45.0 | 43.7 | 1.7 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 16.0 | 31.7 | .505 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.000 | 11.3 | 13.0 | .872 |
Season 3 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | 1950-51 | 1986-87 |
Team | New York Knicks, Baltimore Bullets (1st) | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | All-NBA First Team |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | Did Not Play | Bulls Lost East Conf 1st Rd |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | 48 | - | 4.2 | - | - | 2.9 | 1.5 | - | - | - | 2.5 | 1.6 | 4.9 | .336 | - | - | - | 0.9 | 1.5 | .620 |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 40.0 | 37.1 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 13.4 | 27.8 | .482 | 0.1 | 0.8 | .182 | 10.2 | 11.9 | .857 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 3 | 42.7 | 35.7 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 11.7 | 28.0 | .417 | 0.7 | 1.7 | .400 | 11.7 | 13.0 | .897 |
Season 4 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1987-88 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Season MVP |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Defensive Player of the Year | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | Steals Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
- | All-Star Game NVP | |
Playoffs | - | Bulls Lost East Conf Semis |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 40.4 | 35.0 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 13.0 | 24.4 | .535 | 0.1 | 0.6 | .132 | 8.8 | 10.5 | .841 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 10 | 42.7 | 36.3 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 13.8 | 26.0 | .531 | 0.1 | 0.3 | .333 | 8.6 | 9.9 | .869 |
Season 5 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1988-89 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | All-NBA First Team |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | Bulls Lost East Conf Finals |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 81 | 40.2 | 32.5 | 1.8 | 6.2 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 11.9 | 22.2 | .538 | 0.3 | 1.2 | .276 | 8.3 | 9.8 | .850 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 17 | 42.2 | 34.8 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 11.7 | 22.9 | .510 | 0.6 | 2.1 | .286 | 10.8 | 13.5 | .799 |
Season 6 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1989-90 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | All-NBA First Team |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | Steals Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | Bulls Lost East Conf Finals |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 39.0 | 33.6 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 12.6 | 24.0 | .526 | 1.1 | 3.0 | .376 | 7.2 | 8.5 | .848 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 16 | 42.1 | 36.7 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 13.7 | 26.6 | .514 | 1.0 | 3.1 | .320 | 8.3 | 9.9 | .836 |
Season 7 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1990-91 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | Season MVP | |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 37.0 | 31.5 | 1.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 12.1 | 22.4 | .539 | 0.4 | 1.1 | .312 | 7.0 | 8.2 | .851 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 17 | 40.5 | 31.1 | 1.1 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 11.6 | 22.1 | .524 | 0.6 | 1.5 | .385 | 7.4 | 8.7 | .845 |
Season 8 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1991-92 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | Season MVP | |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 80 | 38.8 | 30.1 | 1.1 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 11.8 | 22.7 | .519 | 0.3 | 1.3 | .270 | 6.1 | 7.4 | .832 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 22 | 41.8 | 34.5 | 1.7 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 13.2 | 26.4 | .499 | 0.8 | 2.0 | .386 | 7.4 | 8.6 | .857 |
Season 9 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1992-93 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | Steals Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 78 | 39.3 | 32.6 | 1.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 12.7 | 25.7 | .495 | 1.0 | 2.9 | .352 | 6.1 | 7.3 | .837 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 19 | 41.2 | 35.1 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 13.2 | 27.8 | .475 | 1.5 | 3.8 | .389 | 7.2 | 8.9 | .805 |
Note: Michael Jordan didn't play in 1993-94.
Season 10 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1994-95 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | ||
Playoffs | - | Bulls Lost East Conf Semis |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 17 | 39.3 | 26.9 | 1.5 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 9.8 | 23.8 | .411 | 0.9 | 1.9 | .500 | 6.4 | 8.0 | .801 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 10 | 42.0 | 31.5 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 12.0 | 24.8 | .484 | 1.1 | 3.0 | .367 | 6.4 | 7.9 | .810 |
Season 11 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1995-96 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | Season MVP | |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
- | All-Star Game NVP | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 37.7 | 30.4 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 11.2 | 22.6 | .495 | 1.4 | 3.2 | .427 | 6.7 | 8.0 | .834 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 18 | 40.7 | 30.7 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 10.4 | 22.6 | .459 | 1.4 | 3.4 | .403 | 8.5 | 10.4 | .818 |
Season 12 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1996-97 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 37.9 | 29.6 | 1.4 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 11.2 | 23.1 | .486 | 1.4 | 3.6 | .374 | 5.9 | 7.0 | .833 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 19 | 42.3 | 31.1 | 2.2 | 5.7 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 11.9 | 26.2 | .456 | 0.7 | 3.5 | .194 | 6.5 | 7.8 | .831 |
Season 13 |
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Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 1997-98 |
Team | - | Chicago Bulls |
Honors & Awards | - | Finals MVP |
- | Season MVP | |
- | All-NBA First Team | |
- | All-Defensive First Team | |
- | Scoring Leader | |
- | All-Star Game | |
- | All-Star Game NVP | |
Playoffs | - | NBA Champion |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 38.8 | 28.7 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 10.7 | 23.1 | .465 | 0.4 | 1.5 | .238 | 6.9 | 8.8 | .784 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 21 | 41.5 | 32.4 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 11.6 | 25.0 | .462 | 0.6 | 2.0 | .302 | 8.6 | 10.6 | .812 |
Note: Michael Jordan didn't play in 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2000-01.
Season 14 |
||
Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 2001-02 |
Team | - | Washington Wizards |
Honors & Awards | - | All-Star Game |
Playoffs | - | Did Not Play |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 60 | 34.9 | 22.9 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 9.2 | 22.1 | .416 | 0.2 | 0.9 | .189 | 4.4 | 5.6 | .790 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Season 15 |
||
Gene James | Michael Jordan | |
Season | - | 2002-03 |
Team | - | Washington Wizards |
Honors & Awards | - | All-Star Game |
Playoffs | - | Did Not Play |
Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | 82 | 37.0 | 20.0 | 0.9 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 8.3 | 18.6 | .445 | 0.2 | 0.7 | .291 | 3.2 | 4.0 | .821 |
Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
Gene James | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Michael Jordan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |