The Bulls went into the 1998 season knowing that it would be their last dance. With five championships under Michael Jordan’s belt, he would have one more chance to add a sixth in Chicago before the dynasty was broken up.
The ending couldn’t have been scripted better by Hollywood. Scottie Pippen was hobbled by a back injury which likely would have kept him out of a Game 7. It fell on the 35-year-old Jordan to play hero in Game 6. He dropped 45 of Chicago’s 87 points that night. None were bigger than his last four during the final 41.9 seconds.
Down by three, Jordan drove to the hoop to cut the Jazz lead to one. He then sprinted back on defense and ripped the ball away from Karl Malone in the post, setting up the most iconic shot of his iconic career.
With five seconds left, Jordan crossed over Byron Russell, giving him a small shove and sending Russell sprawling to the floor. Jordan rose up for his patented midrange jumper, holding his fadeaway for an extended beat. The shot hit nothing but net.
Jordan came through in the clutch once again, earning his sixth ring with 36 million fans watching on television. To this day, his Bulls finale remains the most viewed NBA game of all time.
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