Greatest moment in each NBA franchise’s history

Chicago Bulls: The Last Shot

There’s no wrong answer to the question of what is the greatest moment in the history of the Chicago Bulls as long as the answer involves Michael Jordan. Whether he was soaring in Slam Dunk Contests, dropping an NBA record 63 points in a playoff game, or winning six NBA Championships in the form of two separate three-peats, creating greatness was like breathing for Jordan.

However, the one that stands out is the culmination of all of those moments that Jordan gave the Bulls and basketball fans. It’s Jordan’s opus after a career where he established himself as the greatest basketball player of all time. It’s Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. It’s “The Last Shot.”

Up 3-2 in the series and down 86-85 to the Jazz in Utah, Jordan took the ball on the left side of the floor. He let the clock wind down and then went on the attack as he drove hard toward the top of the key. Then he pulled his dribble back to the left sending Bryon Russell falling to the floor. Jordan pulled up from above the left elbow and let it fly.

Through the net it went with 5.6 second remaining on the clock and to bring Jordan’s total to 45 points on the night.

The play itself is phenomenal as it clinched the Bulls’ three-peat in thrilling fashion. But as Michael Jordan retired after the 1997-98 season, the moment came to mean so much more for the NBA and the Bulls. The Last Shot was his final work of brilliance to cap off the career of the best to ever play the game. There’s nothing that can top that kind of narrative.

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