John Paxson
The Chicago Bulls had taken a commanding 3-1 series lead through the first four games of their Finals matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991. Although these weren’t the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, they weren’t going to play the role of spectators in the series finale. In other words, if the Bulls were going to win the title, they would have to take it.
The game was very close in the waning moments and that is when John Paxson stepped up in a big way. The 6’2″ guard scored 10 of Chicago’s final 15 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field to help the Bulls pull away for a 108-101 victory.
Although Paxson did score in double figures in all but one of the five games, he saved his best performance for last. However, this was not the last time that Paxson would take center stage during the Bulls’ first 3-peat.
Fast forward to Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. The Bulls were ahead 87-79 through the first 36 minutes of action and winning another title appeared to be a foregone conclusion. The Suns came to life in the final frame and took a 98-94 lead. Jordan would cut that lead in half, but it was Paxson that rose to the occasion once again on Chicago’s final possession.
June 20, 1993. NBA Finals. Game 6. Bulls trail by 2 to the Suns in the final seconds of the game. Ball goes to John Paxson… pic.twitter.com/zCt8VUyiOM
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 20, 2017
Prior to the basket, the Bulls had scored just nine points — all by Jordan. And although he was no longer a starter, when the Bulls needed a bucket in the closing moments of a championship game, he delivered the knockout punch.
Depending on who you ask, Paxson hasn’t always hit the ball out of the park as a member of the front office. However, there is little room to debate how important he was to the Bulls during their run to three straight championships.