Tyronn Lue opted to go against the grain.<\/p>\n
Speaking with former ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe on his podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” the LA Clippers’ coach got honest about former Chicago Bulls<\/a> legend Michael Jordan. Instead of bashing him, Lue gave Jordan his flowers. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d average 45,\u201dLue said, entertaining a hypothetical of Jordan in the modern NBA. \u201cYou can\u2019t touch nobody, it\u2019s a foul. You got the best player in the world. He averaged 37 one year, so add eight to that. You can\u2019t touch him, or he gets two free throws.”<\/p>\n Ty Lue says Michael Jordan would average 45 points in today\u2019s NBA, per @ClubShayShay<\/a> <\/p>\n What other proof do you need \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n (h\/t @ApexJones22<\/a>)<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/MCVX05KQC1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Things have certainly changed since Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003. <\/p>\n After winning six championships with the Bulls, Jordan spent a pair of seasons with the Washington Wizards in what ended up being his least-remembered years.<\/p>\n “The opportunity to teach our young players,” Jordan explained of his decision at the time, “and help them elevate their game to a higher level … strongly influenced my decision.”<\/p>\n THE FINAL CHAPTER.<\/p>\n Michael Jordan’s two seasons with the Wizards proved that he could, without a shadow of a doubt, still dominate the game: https:\/\/t.co\/CafCamNd96<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xE0IFeaPcn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 28, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n Still, the shooting guard averaged more than 20 points and close to six rebounds per game across the two seasons on a shooting percentage in the low 40s. It proved he was still a prolific scorer and capable of impacting a team positively.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just going to play the game of basketball that I love,” Jordan said. “I\u2019m not about the money. I don\u2019t care if I get paid a dime,\u201d Mike continued. \u201cI\u2019m going to play the game because I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time, Jordan was nearing 40 himself. That only added to Lue’s argument \u2014 even considering the league’s changes.<\/p>\n “The zone stuff could be a difference,” the coach said, “and back then, with illegal defense, but I don\u2019t see why there couldn\u2019t be a year he\u2019d average 45. You can\u2019t touch anybody; the physicality is pretty much gone. Just how smart he was, and especially nowadays, he\u2019d take advantage of these guys as far as IQ alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Jordan’s time in Chicago is immortalized; he still bears the weight of being the greatest basketball player of all time to most of the sport’s fanbase.<\/p>\n And while he wouldn’t be able to run with the fresh legs currently in the league, he certainly might have excelled in his prime. <\/p>\n Regarding Lue’s contact comment: Jordan would still enjoy facing the Jazz.<\/p>\n NBA Mock Trade: Bulls Swap Star Guard for Rob Dillingham<\/a><\/p>\n Josh Giddey’s Latest Contract Update Paints Reality for Bulls<\/a><\/p>\n NBA Expert Pitches Wild Giddey Scenario Amid Free Agency Drama<\/a><\/p>\n