Apr 1978; Milwaukee, WI, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Antonio Spurs (44) forward George Gervin in action during the 1977-78 season against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

George Gervin Turned Back Clock For One Half While Michael Jordan Was Sidelined

Originally posted on Back in the Day NBA on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated Aug 27, 2024 9:18 AM ET

The 1985-86 regular season was a nightmare for Chicago Bulls fans.

Michael Jordan only played 18 games after breaking his foot early in the year. The Bulls won just 30 games but still made the playoffs. That was when Jordan had the memorable 63-point performance against the Boston Celtics.

There was, however, another shining Bulls moment during that dark cloud of a regular season. Hall of Famer George Gervin spent one year with the Bulls. He was on the tail end of his career but had one more big game left in the tank.

At 34, Gervin scored 35 of his game-high 45 points in a 124-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 28. Bulls coach Stan Albeck even took Quintin Dailey out of the rotation because Gervin was so hot.

”I felt he was on such a roll,” Bulls coach Stan Albeck said after the game. ”When he`s on a roll, hey, you go with the guy. When we're having a bad night, there are times when he can get it going. I didn't want to bring 'Q' in cold. It was a tough situation for 'Q' to come off the bench without having played any. He wasn`t even warmed up.”