words // Brandon Richard
Bryon Russell swears it was a push-off. Jordan fans swear by it as a legitimate cross-over. Whatever your stance is on the play, it is without a doubt the most picture-perfect and memorable jumpshot ever taken in the NBA. On June 14, 1998, Michael Jordan donned the Bulls colors for the very last time in his storied career, and ended his tenure with the franchise in grand fashion.
During a week in which we watched the man who is perhaps today's best NBA player fail to deliver "Michael Jordan moments," we reminisce over a signature game played by the man responsible for those lofty expectations. Michael Jordan is the reason the term "closer" exists in today's game. He thrived for the big moment. He preferred taking the shots nobody else wanted to take. Famously competitive and self-motivated, there couldn't have been a more fitting stage for MJ to close out his run of greatness. Like time and time again in previous seasons, he wouldn't let us down.
Let's set the stage here; Utah was no push-over and a very real threat to end the dynasty. Led by arguably the best point guard of all-time (John Stockton) and the best power forward of all-time (Karl Malone), the Jazz were in line to send the 1998 NBA Finals to a deciding game 7 on their home floor. Through three quarters, the Jazz were up 5 points and Scottie Pippen was hampered with a back injury that left him ineffective for the most part. Outside of a solid night by Toni Kukoc, the points from the supporting cast just weren't there. Enter: Michael Jordan.
Make no mistake about it - this wasn't MJ's finest shooting night. Connecting on just 15 of his 35 shots, Michael was relentless in his pursuit of ring number 6. Like we saw with Dirk on Sunday, the fourth quarter is where Jordan chose to impose his will. He scored 16 points in the final frame, including Chicago's final 8. He also added 8 steals, none bigger than the late-game strip of Karl Malone on an inbound pass to give Chicago a shot to win it.
After the strip, Jordan walked the ball up the court; no plays called, no screens set. With about 12 second left to play and Byron Russell on him, Jordan dribbled to his right, crossed back over to his left (stop-on-a-dime traction) and drained a jumper with about 5.2 second left. Afterwards, he left his shooting hand hanging in the air, as if he knew he was giving us a photo opportunity of sorts. After a timeout, Stockton misses a potential game-winning three at the top of the key and the rest is history.
"Let's face it," said Bulls guard Steve Kerr. "We all hopped on Michael's back. He just carried us. It was his game tonight. That guy was ridiculous. He is so good it's scary."
Michael's 45 points and usual clutch performance notched his sixth NBA Championship 13 years ago. If that makes you feel old, I feel your pain.
Of course, we can't salute this all-time great moment without talking about the shoes - the "Last Shot" Air Jordan XIV. After wearing the Air Jordan XIII throughout the season, MJ debuted the newest model in Game 3 of the Finals. He switched between the XIII and XIV during the remaining games, but ultimately decided on the latter for what would be his last game in a Bulls uniform. Since then, the "Last Shots" have become one of the most popular Jordan shoes and will make a retro return for the second time this holiday season.
Relive Michael's greatness by watching the last shot below.
