If Jordan did not retire midway, 40,000 points would be almost certain!

As we all know, there is only one player in NBA history who has achieved 40,000 points, and that is James. Many people had the opportunity to touch this record before, but they all failed in the end. The most pity among them is Jordan. He scored a total of 32,292 points in his career. Although he is far behind, he is actually a player who is close to completing this achievement. The main reason is that Jordan retired twice during his peak period, which delayed him for at least four full seasons. If he had not retired midway, then 40,000 points would have been a certainty for him. Let us analyze it together!

He scored at least 4,498 points less when he retired for the first time.

As the best player in NBA history, Jordan only played 15 seasons in total, 8 seasons less than James, and less than the average star today. The main reason is that he retired twice during his peak period, which wasted a lot of time. From 1991 to 1993, Jordan led the Bulls to complete their first three consecutive championships. However, Jordan was not comfortable playing in 1993, and the public opinion from the outside world made him breathless, so he chose to retire for the first time at that time.

In the 1992-93 season, Jordan averaged 32.6 points in 78 games and was at his peak. Therefore, if he continues to play in this state, he can score at least 2,542 points in the following season. Jordan's first comeback after retirement was in the second half of the 1994-95 season. He only played 17 games that season. If calculated based on missing 60 games, he also lost at least 1,956 points in the 1994-95 season. Therefore, Jordan scored at least 4,498 points less when he retired for the first time.

He lost at least 6,240 points in his second retirement.

After his first retirement and comeback, Jordan helped the Bulls win three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998, and he also completed the feat of three consecutive FMVPs for the second time. However, in 1998, the Bulls were almost on the verge of collapse. Everyone knew that they were about to disintegrate. Pippen's big contract pressure and Phil Jackson's departure also became the trigger for Jordan to retire again. After retiring in 1998, Jordan once again wasted his prime.

In the 1997-98 season, Jordan averaged 28.7 points per game and played a total of 82 games. He was only 34 years old at that time. Even if his scoring dropped by one point every year, his scoring average was still very high. If we calculate based on the three seasons between his second retirement and his comeback, he played 80 games in each season and averaged 26 points per game, he lost at least 6,240 points. After all, three years after leaving the NBA, Jordan still averaged 22.9 points per game in the 2001-02 season. There is no doubt about his scoring ability.

In more than four seasons of playing less, Jordan scored a total of 10,738 points.

In the seasons when Jordan was absent, many players took advantage of the chaos to complete their rise. For example, Olajuwon seized the opportunity to complete two consecutive championships. In fact, if Jordan had not retired twice during his peak period, his achievements would have been even higher. Taking the scoring title as an example, he only played 15 seasons but could finish the scoring title 10 times. This achievement is something that no one can achieve even now.

And if these points are added to his 32,292 points, his total career points will exceed 43,000 points. This achievement can be said to be unprecedented, so many fans will feel very sorry. If Jordan can play 20 seasons, his achievements will be even higher. But even so, Jordan's historical status is undisputed. He has reached the finals 6 times and won the championship 6 times. He can be regarded as the best player in NBA history.