Bulls vs. Jazz - 1987 - Jordan 47 pts (The Other Flu Game)

In the 1987-88 season, Jordan was on his way to his DPOY and first MVP as well as other individual awards such as the All Star MVP and Slam dunk champion.

Just 24 hours before this game, he had scored a season-low of 16 points against Golden State. Even though he also had 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, the people who were close to him knew he wasn't satisfied with his own performance and that somebody would have to pay for it in the next game. It just happened to be the Jazz.

But this time there was another obstacle for Jordan. Just like his unforgettable 1997 Finals Game 5 in Utah, Jordan was fighting a cold and was weak before the game. After playing for only 6 minutes in the 1st quarter he sits down to rest. However, when Jazz opens up 14 point lead at the beginning of 2nd quarter, he quickly goes in and pulls the Bulls within six points at the end of the half.

Second half is no different. The game is close until Jordan has to sit down in order to get some rest at the beginning of the 4th. When he is on the bench the inevitable happens and Jazz opens up a 7 point lead just 4:50 to go in the game. Then Jordan comes in again and takes over the game by scoring 9 points, dishing out 3 assists and getting one steal. Bulls win 105-101. Ten years before his famous flu game, this is "the other" flu game.

This game also has one of Jordan's most memorable dunks. As documented in "Come Fly With me", just before the end of the 2nd quarter Jordan dunks over Stockton. ""Hey, why don't you pick on somebody your own size!", yells a fan from the courtside. The next time Jordan gets the ball, he grants the wish by dunking it over 6"11' Jazz center Mel Turpin. Then turns the fan and says, "Was he big enough for you?"

Pippen, who comes from the bench as a rookie this season, dislocates his left thumb and leaves the game in the 3rd.

Jordan finishes with 47 points (17-27, 63% shooting), 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and a game-high 3 blocks.

You'll also see Malone's dangerous foul on Jordan that comes late inn the 4th quarter. Even the Jazz announcers are very critical of him for this foul. In a timeout, when they're not on the air, one of the announcers says, "if I were the ref, I'd have thrown Malone out of the game for that. That could have seriously injured him". They also can't believe how Jordan managed to keep his balance after that foul. I think it's another example of his superior body control.

Malone (33/14) and Stockton (14/11) also have solid games but they come up short in the end. Especially Malone loses his temper quite a few times in this game. The Jazz announcers have tremendous respect for Jordan's game even this early in his career, in 1987. They constantly praise him not only for his offensive skills but also for his lock down defense.

Here are some notes and post game quotes from Chicago Sun-times:

"You saw a team out there tonight that was tired," Doug Collins said. "We were dragging in cement. But Jordan took over and brought us through and showed why he is one of the greatest if not the greatest player in the game."

"We needed every one of his points tonight. I kept calling on him. I don't know where he gets his energy from. He plays like he has rockets on his feet."

"I was fighting a cold. But I just turned up the dial and did what I could." Jordan said.

"Michael Jordan was unstoppable," said Mark Eaton, the Jazz' 7-4 center. "There's no way you can stop him one on one."

"They played a great game," said Jazz coach Frank Layden, "and the people got what they wanted. They go to see Jordan play."

"He's a great player - one of a kind," said Jazz guard Bobby Hansen, who fouled out trying to guard Jordan. "He completely took over the game."

When power forward Karl Malone, who scored a team-high 33 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, was whistled for a flagrant elbow against Paxson and was given a technical, fans threw coins and programs onto the court and play had to be halted to clean up.

"I can't remember seeing that kind of hostility in a while," said Bull center Artis Gilmore, who had six points, three rebounds and two blocks for his night's work.

The fatigue Collins spoke of was apparent in the first half. And the Jazz, especially guard John Stockton and Darrell Griffin, exploited the Bulls' lax defense in the middle with 12 points apiece to build a 32-20 lead in the early second. Stockton was driving through the middle for easy layups until Jordan plugged it up and shut him down.

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Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Bird
• Magic
• Iverson
• Kobe
• Lebron
• Shaq
• Yao
• Carmelo
• Tmac
• jazz
• malone
• stockton

[larrelove]

do you have any footage on Jordans fitst nba game?

[starks23]

Yes, I have highlights of 3-4 possessions from his first NBA game along with some other rookie highlights. I searched youtube but couldn't find them, so I may upload them.

If you want more, you should consult hoopsencyclopedia. He probably has more.

[halfhoosierhein]

1) Hot Rod Hundley is the most underrated announcer in basketball. MONEY. Never a homer (6:12, 6:53), always willing to point out bad calls, whether they are for or against the jazz (6:34). Always respects talent. Always gets excited when a big bucket is made, whether it is for the jazz or against. (2:34, 3:39, 4:40, 6:30).

2) It's really fun to see Stockton, Malone, and Jordan all so young. I miss 'em

3) Mark Eaton WAS really as big, white, and slow as I remember.

[MJisKingKobesuckss]

Jordan is above and beyond above the rest of the greats in the nba. Its very simple look at Jordan's field goal percentage which was 50 percent for his career. Should say a lot in it self.

[MrSquirrelsmith]

the first time malone snuck into the locker room and gave jordan the flu

[TheSativasmoker]

hey man i like them long detailed descriptions nice work!!

[SairousClaou]

For 8 minutes I saw something that I've never seen before.

And I will never see again...ever.

MJ is out of this world. Untouchable...The Greatest ever.

[mrmacross]

"If Michael had the same supporting cast as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson he would win as often as they do." Prophetic words by Clyde the Glide.

[JZ2001JC]

WOw outside of MJ the Bulls starting Lineup looks horrible. Oakley was very young so he was no where near his talent of th 90s, Pacson is alright but thats about it. Gilmore, Sellers---LOL.

[damobb510]

best days

[danullb]

add this dunk onto the video: watch?v=ESCkEoF0xuE

keep the original audio (no cheeseball music). Only the music of Jordan's wrist banging on iron

I sort of feel like a producer (kinda cool). now I just need a director

anybody?

[danullb]

the commentator is right. that was "a HAM-MER"

that's the most legit Jordan dunk ever.

someone who has the equipment do this youtube video stuff needs to extract the segment from 3:35 to 4:06 and make short, sweet vid of this. maybe throw in 4:38-5:00 as bonus footage

it is literally unbelievable how fast Jordan's right hand comes down on the dunk at 3:39 (even in slow mo it looks fast)