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Michael Jordan is one of the most renowned names across the NBA. Many NBA players have grown up idolizing him and rightfully so. Jordan has won six titles from six appearances in the NBA Finals and has an enormous number of trophies to his name.
Whenever someone looks at Michael Jordan’s stat sheet, they wonder if he is even human. The numbers he put up consistently made him an asset to the Chicago Bulls franchise. After 15 years in the league, Michael Jordan’s player efficiency rating is at an average of 27.9, the highest all-time in the NBA. On that note, let’s take a look at his five best seasons in player efficiency rating.
#5 1986-87 – 29.8
Number 23, at age 23 was already a dominant force in the league. The 1986-87 season was his best in terms of scoring, with a league-leading average of 37.1 points per game. Apart from his offensive output, on the defensive end he became the only player to record more than 200 steals and 100 blocks in a single season. Michael Jordan had an efficient season with a PER of 29.8.
This was a season where Michael Jordan had returned from a foot injury, but showed no signs of slowing down. With a 40-42 record, the Chicago Bulls made it to the playoffs at the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Michael Jordan averaged 35.7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2.3 blocks in the first round of the playoffs, but the Chicago Bulls could not register a win. They were swept 3-0 by the Celtics.
#4 1988-89 – 31.1
In the 1988-89 season, Michael Jordan won another scoring title. He led the league in scoring with an average of 32.5 points per game. His rebounds and assists numbers were also up, averaging 8 in both categories. Jordan recorded 30 points or more in 50 games during the regular season and had 15 triple-doubles. All these numbers took his player efficiency rating to 31.1 for the season.
The Chicago Bulls finished 6th in the Eastern Conference and were determined to earn the title. After beating the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, they faced-off against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls fell to the Pistons in six games and ended another strong campaign in disappointment.
#3 1989-90 – 31.2
Michael Jordan is considered great not only based on his scoring but his defensive abilities as well. In the 1989-90 season, under new head coach Phil Jackson, he led the league in scoring and steals with an average of 33.6 and 2.8 respectively. Michael Jordan recorded a career-high 18 rebounds and career-high 69 points in a single game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His player efficiency rating for the season stood at 31.2.
In a 55-win season, the Bulls entered the playoffs holding the second seed. They defeated the Milwaukee Bucks (3-1) and the Philadelphia 76ers (4-1) to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls took the Detroit Pistons series to seven games, but ended up losing to the Detroit Pistons for the third consecutive season.
#2 1990-91 – 31.6
Championship season and the start of a dynasty with Michael Jordan at the helm. In the 1990-91 season, the Chicago Bulls won 61 games, finishing on top of the Eastern Conference. Michael Jordan won another scoring title, averaging 31.5 points per game. Scoring 30 points or more in 52 games, Michael Jordan took his player efficiency rating to an astounding 31.6. He was named the Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.
In the playoffs, the Bulls went past the New York Knicks (3-0) and the Philadelphia 76ers (4-1) to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. They faced the Detroit Pistons yet again and this time were much better in closing out games. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls swept the Pistons 4-0 and finally made their first NBA Finals appearance. Jordan averaged a double-double in the finals to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 and claim his first NBA Championship.
#1 1987-88 – 31.7
In the 1987-88 season, Michael Jordan bagged his first Most Valuable Player honor. He recorded a league-high 35 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists during the regular season. Jordan was also defensively sharp, recording a league-high 3.2 steals per game. This was his best season in terms of player efficiency ratings, with contributions on both ends of the floor, which stood at 31.7.
After a 50-32 win-loss record, the Chicago Bulls placed third in the Eastern Conference standings. They were up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round and that series lasted 5 games with the Chicago Bulls progressing with a 3-2 record. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they crossed swords with the Detroit Pistons. Michael Jordan’s stat line of 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2 steals in five games was not enough to get past the Pistons. The Bulls lost the series 4-1 and with that the MVP’s season came to an end.
