I hate to use this cliche cause it really is overused but you could make the argument that Karl Malone was the least clutch player of all time. Went 3-16 when they got eliminated by the Blazers in '99. Missed 2 free throws at the end of game 7 in '96 WCF. In each finals series he he had 2 good games and 4 bad ones. Has the ball stolen by MJ at the end in '98 then this debacle of a final 2 minutes.
Of all the games that hurt Karl Malone's legacy, to me this one hurt it the most. He had a bad game as is, but in the last 4 minutes or so he missed a FT, airballed two shots, committed a bad foul, failed to commit a foul with time running out, couldn't box out Toni Kukoc or grab the defensive rebound off the missed Jordan FT. Say what you will about the missed FT's in game 1, or getting the ball stolen in Jordan's last Bulls game, this game was his most disappointing performance as an MVP.
Jordan really burned Byron Russell in both years. Hit the game winner in game 1 in 97', game winner in game 6 in 98', and Russell left Jordan wide open to go double team Pippen and Jordan hit that huge 3 with 15 seconds to go.
my all time favorite michael jordan game. despite of the flu, he focused on the game. the whole bulls team played great. luc longley, great hustle down the court ahead of everybody.****
@d4seasons -Once Jordan hit that three-pointer, that was game over for Utah. Chicago's defense was beyond good especially shutting down the Mailman and John Stockton.
@kinfolk441 well, it was a scary moment. the jazz scored a quick basket. immediately longley, kerr, & kukov ran toward the basket & scored an important bucket. also the bulls trailed by 16 & came back. that's all coach jackson's direction. he was a knick. known for defense in the 1970's. still to this day i just loved this game. wow. 1997, damn.
@d4seasons - I agree, I did think Steve Kerr would have enough to get it quickly to Kukoc to find Longley to seal the victory. I got the gametape. Defense does win championships, I'm pretty sure you know that.
@Indianbrkdncer - I agree on the six rings portion but Kobe didn't have shaq for his 4th title, or this coming or next year. I see the Lakers three-peating again. I'll give ya that.
yeah and he was a true mvp who else could play with the flu and give such a courageous classic performance by the flu ridden michael jordan thats vintage jordan at his best
great game, thanks for the nostalgia!
axolotl84 4 months ago
I hate to use this cliche cause it really is overused but you could make the argument that Karl Malone was the least clutch player of all time. Went 3-16 when they got eliminated by the Blazers in '99. Missed 2 free throws at the end of game 7 in '96 WCF. In each finals series he he had 2 good games and 4 bad ones. Has the ball stolen by MJ at the end in '98 then this debacle of a final 2 minutes.
Blairbunke 5 months ago
Man Malone really choked. Turnover, missed FT, 2 airballs in the final 1:40 and then he forgets to foul down by 1 with 15 seconds left. Damn.
5011b 1 year ago
Of all the games that hurt Karl Malone's legacy, to me this one hurt it the most. He had a bad game as is, but in the last 4 minutes or so he missed a FT, airballed two shots, committed a bad foul, failed to commit a foul with time running out, couldn't box out Toni Kukoc or grab the defensive rebound off the missed Jordan FT. Say what you will about the missed FT's in game 1, or getting the ball stolen in Jordan's last Bulls game, this game was his most disappointing performance as an MVP.
mrmacross 1 year ago
this is why mj is the greatest
JMK213 1 year ago
That is what the best player is all about.
cryalex20x6 1 year ago
Damn Karl Malone was takin crazy shots this game!!
howedo189 1 year ago
The two greatest performances in Finals history was this game by Jordan and Magic Johnson's game 6 against Philadelphia in the the 1980 NBA Finals.
MrHrana1 1 year ago
Jordan really burned Byron Russell in both years. Hit the game winner in game 1 in 97', game winner in game 6 in 98', and Russell left Jordan wide open to go double team Pippen and Jordan hit that huge 3 with 15 seconds to go.
bodhi3323 1 year ago
@bodhi3323 perhaps the most idiotic double team that I've ever seen in my life....still don't get that one to this day
JahariKavi 1 year ago
Let's see Lebron do that!!!!
robdogg114 2 years ago
Comment removed
christ28gfj 2 years ago
yeah lets see any one of the newer players do that mj the g.o.a.t
christ28gfj 2 years ago
my all time favorite michael jordan game. despite of the flu, he focused on the game. the whole bulls team played great. luc longley, great hustle down the court ahead of everybody.****
d4seasons 2 years ago 3
@d4seasons -Once Jordan hit that three-pointer, that was game over for Utah. Chicago's defense was beyond good especially shutting down the Mailman and John Stockton.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
@kinfolk441 well, it was a scary moment. the jazz scored a quick basket. immediately longley, kerr, & kukov ran toward the basket & scored an important bucket. also the bulls trailed by 16 & came back. that's all coach jackson's direction. he was a knick. known for defense in the 1970's. still to this day i just loved this game. wow. 1997, damn.
d4seasons 1 year ago
@d4seasons - I agree, I did think Steve Kerr would have enough to get it quickly to Kukoc to find Longley to seal the victory. I got the gametape. Defense does win championships, I'm pretty sure you know that.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
Thanks for posting.
siukong 2 years ago
Comment removed
christ28gfj 2 years ago
when it comes to michael jordan i just got three words for you the best ever period.
christ28gfj 2 years ago 4
@christ28gfj - damn enough said on that times 10. Kobe will never be what Jordan was.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
@kinfolk441 Guess you'll be wrong in a few years after Kobe gets 6+ rings.
Indianbrkdncer 1 year ago
@Indianbrkdncer - I agree on the six rings portion but Kobe didn't have shaq for his 4th title, or this coming or next year. I see the Lakers three-peating again. I'll give ya that.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
@kinfolk441 Yeah and dude just fucking took his 5th ring from Boston. Smd Celtics.
Indianbrkdncer 1 year ago
@christ28gfj Yeeeee. Til Kobe.
Indianbrkdncer 1 year ago
a true MVP always make da big shots
& he is not even 100%
NBaBall3r26 2 years ago 2
yeah and he was a true mvp who else could play with the flu and give such a courageous classic performance by the flu ridden michael jordan thats vintage jordan at his best
christ28gfj 2 years ago
@NBaBall3r26 - I agree.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
@NBaBall3r26 - Sick or not- he's the greatest ever.
kinfolk441 1 year ago
@kinfolk441 yes
NBaBall3r26 1 year ago