"Mike had to learn..." - Gervin reveals what MJ changed early to become best scorer in the NBA

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"Mike had to learn..." - Gervin reveals what MJ changed early to become best scorer in the NBA

Yakshpat Bhargava · Basketball Network

Wed, Nov 5, 2025 ·

3 min read

Gervin reveals the change Jordan made to be the best in the NBA

From his college days at the University of North Carolina, Michael was already known for his breathtaking athleticism. He could already soar above defenders, slice through lanes and finish with flair at the rim. However, as Gervin recalled, it wasn't Jordan's athleticism alone that made him the player that would define an entire era; it was his decision to evolve his game.

Put simply, the fact that MJ worked relentlessly on his shooting skills and the art of creating his own shots, whether it was mastering mid-range pull-ups, fadeaways and off-the-dribble jumpers that required the least space to execute. That evolution, the Iceman emphasized, was the turning point that made the 6'6'' shooting guard unstoppable.

Moreover, as during his appearance on the "All The Smoke" podcast, Gervin joked about never wanting to play a 1-on-1 game with Jordan — one of the biggest reasons for that was the latter's valiant improvement in his shooting skills. Additionally, with George himself being one of the most gifted players in the NBA during the late '70s, he recognized how that addition gave Michael's game a different dimensional edge.

"Mike had to learn how to shoot. You know, early on in his career, he was a scorer, then he became a scorer and shooter," Gervin said . "So, I ain't saying I could beat you, Mike, but I didn't mind trying."

Shooting abilities made Mike unstoppable

Interestingly, Gervin did raise a valid point. Even the best defenders of that era were constantly trapped in a nightmare matchup whenever they tried to get aggressive with Jordan. For instance, if they stepped too close, his first step and vertical explosiveness allowed him to blow by and attack the rim with authority. On the other hand, if they backed off, hoping to contain his drive, MJ punished them with his smooth mid-range jumpers.

Thus, this ability to dictate the defender's every move eventually became the cornerstone of his decade-long dominance. Jordan's later years further validated that transformation.

Long after his athletic peak, his signature fadeaway jumper and polished footwork helped Mike stay at the top of the scoring charts, earning him ten scoring titles. Lastly, Gervin, who watched this development unfold firsthand, believes it was this constant hunger to add new dimensions to his game that made Jordan's success inevitable.

And when a crafty scorer like the Iceman refuses to play 1-on-1, that alone shows the kind of versatility that MJ might have had in his game since his early days in the NBA. After all, it was about putting in the work, and there was no one better than Jordan in that department.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.