Every NBA team’s greatest playoff moment
Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan one last time (1998 NBA Finals, Game 6)
Going through the great Chicago Bulls moments in the playoffs is largely a Michael Jordan’s greatest hits compilation, with some features from John Paxson and Steve Kerr for good measure. And considering that we’re talking about the greatest basketball player to ever live, trying to narrow it down to one moment might seem impossible. In a way that only Jordan could, though, he left the Bulls with a moment that’s unquestionably the greatest.
Entering the 1998 NBA Playoffs, Jordan and the Bulls were seeking their sixth title of the 90s and the second three-peat of the decade. All roads again led to the Finals and there they were met with a familiar opponent, the Utah Jazz that they’d ousted to win the title the year prior. Stocked with Karl Malone and John Stockton, the Jazz weren’t keen on letting Jordan stop them shy of a ring once more. But Michael Jordan was never really one for caring about how his opponents felt.
After dropping Game 1 on the road, Chicago won three straight before going losing Game 5 at the United Center. Still armed with a 3-2 lead in the series, though, all it would take would be another road win to lock up that last title. However, with just over 40 seconds to play, the Bulls trailed by three points with the ball. Jordan then cut the deficit to one with a drive to the rim that the Jazz made look all to easy for him. Trying to milk the clock, Utah waited and then tried to find Malone on the block, but Jordan came from the help side behind the Mailman to pick his pocket for the steal with around 20 seconds left. The stage was set.
Jordan coolly walked the ball up the floor to the left of the top of the key. With Bryon Russell draped on him, Jordan put ball in his right hand and drove to the free throw line. Ducking his shoulder at his spot, he forced Russell back and pulled up for the jumper. Of course it was in.
The Jazz had a final opportunity, but Jordan’s jumper was ultimately the game-winner to clinch title No. 6. After that, he closed the book on his career, in Chicago at least. Talk about the quintessential way to cap off a legacy like Jordan’s.