Michael Jordan 1989 Playoffs: Gm 5 Vs. Cavs, "THE SHOT"

In this series deciding game, MJ attacked the basket with his usual finesse/ferocity to make sure the Bulls advanced to the next round. This is the game that features "The Shot" - the famous hanging jumper we keep seeing in all those highlights and commercials. But, people forget that that shot merely capped yet another masterful performance. MJ attacked the basket like man possessed to get his 44 points the hard way.
People also forget that the Bulls lost to the Cavs in all 5 games during the regular season so they were not expected to challenge them at all. MJ's 39.8 ppg, 5.8 rebs and 8.2 asts during the series made sure that the playoffs told a different story.
As usual, when it mattered most, on national TV, Game 5 in the playoffs, MJ raised his play and continued his flair for the dramatic to add to his legacy as the greatest playoff and clutch performer ever.

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[RAV52]

People don't realize how talented this particular Cleveland Cavs squad was. They were legitimate favorites to reach the Finals that year. And then #23 pulls the rug out from under them and condemns their city to even more crushing failure...

[Jorge Martinez]

@holderz Coming from a huge Laker fan, you're absolutely correct!  Kobe is good...but not close to MJ's greatness.

[Amjbmcg]

Yeh they were ... On this video( Magic & Showtime Lakers in Kareem Abdul Jabbar's final regular season game), right at the end it mentions Cleveland being in the Finals. "If Cleveland represent the east ... " Jordan destroyed them!

[Amjbmcg]

Michael Jordan plays such smart basketball! AN AMAZING PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL player! And then a WILL that only GOD can match! Rises to the occasion putting the Bulls ahead with 6 secs left .. Cavs score. Then he goes and hits a well contested, hang time shot with 1 second left (3 secs left when ball was inbounded. RISE TO THE OCCASION EVERYTIME!

[Zhengfu Ding]

Poor Craig Ehlo in all his mullet glory

[AICMasta]

Pure artistry..

[mark rantanen]

Ugh....just another Cleveland heartbreak.....I cant believe i watched this.

[Chris Kreager]

Everyone talks about THE shot, but it's glossed over that Jordan hit a go-ahead shot with 6 seconds left (if Ehlo misses, he'd have had a not quite as memorable game winner, but still a game winner). And of course, Ehlo scored to put them in that famous situation

[topbilladezz]

44 out of a 101 sayin we gave ourselves a chance to win lmao, scottie was jumpin like yayy

[EvillKidBuu]

hahahaha i love the cavs fans just standing there pissed off after it went in

[pika62221]

WOW! When they pause it at 0:38 look how much longer Jordan had his shorts than his teammate. I think MJ really did start that longer shorts trend...

[pika62221]

Now that I see this, I remember now seeing those bicycle shorts worn under the NBA ones, and used to think back then it was just a trend-didn't realize they'd actually make shorts longer, but now they're so freakishly long, they've totally turned into pants!! Just look at what the NBA today has for "shorts"- like they're really shorts!!