Worst moment in each NBA franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Utah Jazz – Michael Jordan’s shot over Bryon Russell
John Stockton, Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz just could not get past Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson and the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan and the Bulls got the upper hand in back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, and the second edition was the most brutal for Utah fans. This was the site of Jordan’s infamous push-off against Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the series, as the greatest player of all-time “separated” from his defender in order to knock down the picturesque final jump shot of his Chicago career.
It is a bold assumption (and a misguided one, to be sure) to think that the Jazz would have won the series if not for this shot, as the game was very much in doubt either way and Utah would have needed a victory in Game 7 to claim victory. Still, it is undoubtedly brutal to come within a single play of a championship opportunity, and the image of Bryon Russell flying in the opposite direction with some “help” from Jordan is one that Jazz fans can’t escape from at any point.
The Stockton-Malone era was fantastic in virtually every way for the Utah Jazz organization, but without a title, the duo has never received the respect of casual fans to the degree that was likely deserved. They have Michael Jordan to thank and Bryon Russell to blame, even if the defender did everything in his power to avoid such a distinction.
Next: Washington Wizards