Michael Jordan 2002: Vs. NY, Age 38, Last Game-Winner at MSG

This was my last game seeing MJ play live. The opening photo is from my camera. Here's the story:

I had just started to date a new girlfriend around this time who happened to hate basketball. Thankfully, MJ was in town so I decided to get some quick tickets at $400 apiece so she could say she saw MJ live to her grandkids. I heard standing room tickets at game-time were going for $800 so I felt great paying what I did - especially with my girlfriend complaining about going to a basketball game on the way there.

Now, seeing MJ live as a Wizard was bizarre but when he entered the stadium, as usual, it was as if all the air was sucked out of the room. Everyone stood up, camera lights flashed non-stop and the remembrance of what this man had done in his career as the greatest there ever will be filled the room thick. MJ standing on the court with his hands on his hips felt as if his elbows were touching one side of the stadium to the other. His presence was beyond gripping.

The game started with MJ missing some easy jumpers so he switched to attacking the basket. At age 38 with the bum knee, it was incredible. He gathered more highlight moves in this one game while scoring an efficient 26pts than most players do in an entire season. Of course, playing this way in the Garden was never a surprise.

But the amazing part of the game was what was happening to Sprewell as MJ smothered him mano-a-mano. MJ's mind-body challenge was giving him nerves of jello and Sprewell went a disastrous 0-10 until MJ sat on the bench when he finally made his first bucket. Lucky for Spree, the Knicks were playing well inside and the Wiz had to play catch up the entire time.

With NY up by 10 late in the 4th, MJ turned on his legend and willed his team with his customary, dramatic comeback. By this point, the score was tied and my girlfriend was on the edge of her seat - strictly because the drama of who was going to win overwhelmed her. I said to her, 'Jordan's going to get the last shot and he's going to hit it. That's what he does. I guarantee it.' And when the moment happened, she jumped out of her seat with the rest of the Garden in amazement. She became, enlightened. And although she returned to hating basketball, she would forever tell stories about the one time she saw MJ. This was the essence of what Michael Jordan was to the world.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• New
• York
• Knicks
• Bulls
• Wizards
• Lakers
• Lebron
• Dwyane
• Wade
• Kobe
• AI
• Iverson
• Carmelo
• Shaq
• Magic
• MSG
• Vince
• Yao

[JupiterSamspon]

That's a beautiful story in the description.

[ak231510]

The greatest ever. There r a lot of good players, but none come close to the type of will mj had on the court. George Karl really sumed up everything about MJ, he said, "If you want to beat Michael Jordan you literally have to rip out his heart, cause if you leave him with that he his going to find a way to beat you." Dont give me lebron or kobe, they dont have the "ur gonna have to drag me off of this court piece by piece if you want to beat me" mindset that jordan had. No one better.

[laccjpa]

Jordan always the best in this situation through the ages

[tommos1]

more like failwell

[SunnyBoys2]

haha sprewell fail

[itube9330]

at tha begining cambys dunk was nice lol but does anyone know where i can watch an old bulls game online or do i gottta watch espn classic?

[vincentrich]

@fhab525

It was evidence against your assumption that MJ being "friendly" with Pat Riley in itself implies that he may return and play for the Heat. Clearly, critical reasoning isn't your "go-to move." Originally, I was only suggesting that you're an idiot, but now, I'll say it: "YOU'RE AN IDIOT."

....looks like I'm done here. On to the next video! Don't worry, I won't be back to read or s**t on any of your other responses :-)

[fhab525]

@vincentrich whats the point of what u just typed ?

[vincentrich]

@SamuraiSwoosh

He didn't have a girlfriend....

[vincentrich]

@SamuraiSwoosh

It was a travel. He moved the right foot back to get into better position for the drop-step spin. It's not called frequently enough.

[vincentrich]

What MJ did as a Wizard was impressive. When you factor in that he retired for a few years, it gives me hope that Kobe will stick around for a while longer.