Number 2: “The Dunk”
April 30, 2009, Game 6 of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs
Chicago Bulls: 128
Boston Celtics: 127
Final/3OT
The Situation:
An up-and-coming Chicago Bulls team returned to the United Center for Game 6 down 3-2 at the hands of the veteran-laden Boston Celtics. This was a classic David versus Goliath narrative; with a relatively young Bulls team fighting tooth and nail with the defending NBA champions. With the arguable exception of emerging star and Rookie of the Year winner Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls lacked a true superstar that season. Rather, they used a balanced attack and a healthy mix of veterans and youngsters to stick with better opponents. According to basketball reference, the Bulls had nine players that averaged double-digit scoring per game, yet none of these players averaged over 20 per game.
This series was a sign of things to come. It was a “coming out” party for guys like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Two seasons later, this Chicago Bulls team was the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
A young Joakim Noah first earned the approval of the City of Chicago during this series. Prior to the 2009 season, police arrested Noah for possessing an open container of alcohol in his vehicle as well as misdemeanor possession of marijuana. In his rookie season, people regarded him as a goof whose silly personality was the only part of his basketball game that separated him from other players. He arrived to practices late, got in fights with teammates and was better at running his mouth than scoring baskets. This playoff series, and a dunk that will forever replay in the minds of Bulls fans, changed everything.
The Game:
With the game knotted at 123 with less than one minute remaining in triple overtime, Bulls center Joakim Noah intercepted a pass by Paul Pierce and dribbled the length of the court and dunked the ball giving the Bulls a late lead. He completed a 3-point play by hitting a free throw.
Quotable:
Joakim Noah sounded off on the series as a whole after the Bulls victory in Game 6 against the Boston Celtics.
"This series is a lot of fun for the fans, the people of Chicago, the people of Boston. It’s a lot of fun for us, too, playing in environments like this on the big stage. It’s special to be part of this, and I know that it’s a series people will be talking about for a long time. –Quote obtained by the Associated Press, content published on ESPN’s website on May 1, 2009."
Derrick Rose summed up the entire series perfectly with a single phrase.
"It’s crazy, but you got to love it. –Quote obtained by the Associated Press, content published on ESPN’s website on May 1, 2009."
The Chicago Bulls fell to the Boston Celtics 109-99 in Game 7. However, this doesn’t take away from the excitement of Game 6 or this series. In terms of signature playoff wins, the Bulls Game 6 victory rivals anything that has happened in Bulls history since the Jordan era.
Next: The Nate Robinson Game