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.

Category:

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• Michael
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• Cavaliers
• Dwyane
• Wade
• Kobe
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• playoffs
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• MJ

[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...

[PhanatixDDH]

@TheBrainMachine78

"not saying that's what you did, but it's implied"...um..by making that implication..you ARE saying that's what he said.

How does not having the passing of magic = ballhog? MJ was just as good, probably better "playmaker" in the general sense. Playmaking means finding the most efficient means of scoring, not deferring to others at every chance.

How exactly was MJ a ballhog when he was averaging 6-7 assists in his prime on the Bulls? Are PGs the only non-ballhogs?

[SFEver1982]

Cleveland = LOSERS

[robps89]

@gaosuwind I was just about to comment on this. Can't believe they decided to show the coach running around like a baffoon instead of Jordan in his most iconic celebration ever!

[gaosuwind]

the scene of jordan celebrating and ehlo collapsing on the floor wasn't shown on tv at the time. does anyone know where people got to see it for the first time?

[Mraloneandsad]

HE CANOT BE DENIED

[St3veHimself]

Loved watching these Cavs back in the day!!! I thought that this was gonna be the Cleveland team that wins it all! But MJ just killed us! Watching this live....that shot was in the air for what seemed like forever. But it went in. Fast forward 2009, that was when LeBron was supposed to win it and be the hero. Well his shot against Orlando in Game 2 had the same feel after Turkoglu hit the jumper, but LeBron nailed "The Shot 2.0" I'm still waiting for a Cleveland championship.

[Salva46]

23 dislikes WTF!!

[scoot1105]

I remember this so vividly to this day, 22 years later. Why? because I WAS THERE!! I was standing in the lower bowl in the top left corner(as you're looking at it on this clip, but out of camera range), and i remember screaming "NO!!!" as he let the shot go. When that shot went in, all you could hear for 2 minutes was the Bulls team celebrating, and the few Bulls fans in the cheap seats screaming! One of the most painful experiences of my childhood!

[rocafella142]

This guy was a fucking beast.

[hart6969]

@RAV52 You are so right!!! The Cavs were really good with mark price and company.

[defnyung]

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