What is the signature play in the history of each NBA franchise?
Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan’s title-clinching shot
As we are slowly learning through The Last Dance, the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-98 season was hardly a joyride.
Phil Jackson was to be left to his desires following the season independent of the results. Michael Jordan stated a refusal to play for any other head coach, raising questions about his NBA future beyond the season. Scottie Pippen remained enraged at the front office’s indifference towards his status as the league’s most underpaid player.
It was a whole lot of drama crammed into one season, but the Bulls played through it all knowing the opportunity would likely be their last. For their efforts: another spot in the Finals and a rematch with the Utah Jazz.
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Every young basketball player fantasizes about the chance to hit a championship-clinching shot. After stripping Karl Malone with under 20 seconds left and Utah up one, it was a dream Jordan had the chance to turn into a reality in Game 6.
As MJ calmly jogged the ball up the court, a basket wasn’t guaranteed, but everyone had a good idea of what was coming.
Standing on the left wing, Jordan waited until just under nine seconds to attack the basket. Upon reaching the top of the key, he stopped, crossed Byron Russell to the floor and calmly sunk the go-ahead jumper Utah couldn’t respond to, gifting the Bulls the championship.
In what wound up his final game as a Bull, Jordan’s patented late-game heroics sealed his sixth title in what was his second three-peat. Even against the high bar set for the greatest of all time, such a moment was truly picture perfect.