MJ’s five greatest games

Now that ESPN’s widely-acclaimed docu series “The Last Dance” has been aired in full all over the world, let’s review Michael Jordan’s five greatest games in the NBA. The list is my own and was culled from Chicago Tribune sports columnist Bob Condor’s book “Michael Jordan’s 50 Greatest Games – From His NCAA Championship to Six NBA Titles” published in 1998 by Citadel Press.

Chicago over Utah, 87-86, Game 6, NBA Finals, 1998. The win clinched the Bulls’ sixth NBA title. The Jazz was up by a point when Jordan swiped the ball from Karl Malone on a double team at the post, brought up the ball with 18.5 seconds left and took an 18-foot jumper, time down to 5.2 ticks. Jordan hit it to seal the outcome. “That’s when the moment becomes the moment for me,” he said. “Things start to move slowly, you start to see the court very well. You start reading what the defense is trying to do. I saw that, I saw that moment. (Bryon) Russell reached and I took advantage of the moment.” Jordan finished with 45 points on 15-of-35 field goals, including 3-of-7 triples, and 12-of-15 free throws in 44 minutes.

Boston over Chicago, 135-131, Game 2, NBA First Round Playoffs, 1986. Jordan was in his second pro season and had missed 64 games with a foot injury. The Celtics won Game 1, 123-104. Game 2 went into double overtime and Jordan netted 63 points on 22-of-41 field goals and 19-of-21 free throws in 53 minutes. “God came down disguised as Jordan,” said Celtics star Larry Bird after the contest. The Celtics went on to take Game 3, 122-104 and clinched the best-of-five series in a sweep. Boston eventually won the championship with a lineup that included Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish and Bill Walton.

Chicago over Cleveland, 101-100, Game 5, NBA First Round Playoffs, 1989. It came down to a winner-take-all Game 5 in the best-of-five series. Jordan knocked down a 12-foot jumper to push the Bulls on top by a point with six seconds left. Then, Craig Ehlo put the Cavs back in the driver’s seat with a layup. Chicago coach Doug Collins sued for time and with three seconds to go, the Bulls inbounded. Jordan took the pass, went from right to left, elevated and double-pumped for a 15-footer. Jordan said at that stage in his career, it was the biggest shot he hit because “I put my credibility on the line.” He wound up with 44 points on 17-of-32 field goals and 9-of-13 free throws in 44 minutes.

Chicago over Utah, 90-88, Game 5, NBA Finals, 1997. The series was tied, 2-2, entering Game 5 at Utah. The Jazz won the last two encounters and was poised to make it three in a row at home. Jordan woke up the morning of Game 5 with a bad case of food poisoning, fatigued and nauseous after a sleepless night. He skipped the shoot-around and went to the game straight from bed. “I’ve never seen him this sick,” said Scottie Pippen. “It was to the point where I didn’t think he was even going to be able to put his uniform on.” Despite his condition, Jordan pushed himself to score 38 points on 13-of-27 field goals and 10-of-12 free throws in 44 minutes. It was Utah’s first loss at home in 24 outings. Jordan was exhausted and was excused from appearing in the usual post-game press conference. “I endured it,” he said. “I knew I had to play in spurts, with bursts of energy, then rest for two minutes and do what I had to do.”

Chicago over the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-86, Game 2, NBA Finals, 1991. The Lakers stunned the Bulls, 93-91, in Game 1 at Chicago to seize the homecourt advantage. Winning Game 2 was imperative for the Bulls and Jordan took charge in an incredible performance highlighted by a spectacular layup in the fourth quarter. Here’s Condor’s account: “Michael started by flying in the air down the offensive lane…but Sam Perkins stepped in his path so MJ adjusted…as his body soared upward, he brought the ball down while switching it from his right hand to his left then he rotated his body in mid-dunk, twisting it to avoid Perkins and keep his balance, before banking the ball off the glass for two points before landing.” Jordan recounted the move, “I first intended to dunk…but once I got up in the air, I didn’t think I had enough room…I thought I was going to fall short of the rim so I switched hands and laid it in, I probably couldn’t duplicate it if I tried.” Magic Johnson, who had 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in the game, said Jordan “did the impossible, the unbelievable.” Jordan tallied 33 points in 36 minutes and the Bulls proceeded to sweep the next three outings in capturing the crown, 4-1.