Chicago Bulls: Greatest moments in franchise history summed up

Chicago Bulls fans have been privileged to witness some famous moments in their teams rich history. Which of these moments will live on forever in NBA folklore?

The Shot – Game five, 1989 Eastern Conference first round Chicago Bulls v Cleveland Cavaliers

Michael Jordan’s buzzer beating series clincher over Craig Ehlo and the Cleveland Cavaliers is forever etched in Bulls and NBA history. Though Jordan had announced himself in years earlier with legendary performances in the Boston Garden, the Bulls had only been out of the first round of the playoffs once in five attempts with him in town.

It had also been thirteen years in total since the Bulls had made it to a conference finals. Jordan was on a tear that series though, averaging 39 points with nine assists.

With the series tied at two a piece, the Bulls had three seconds and were down by one. Jordan wanted the ball from the timeout and caught it on the right side of the floor. Ripping through to his left he had Ehlo guarding him and took the ball to the middle of the floor. Ehlo played immaculate defence but Jordan was in his spot, he rose up and knocked down the biggest shot of his career so far to win the series. Jordan’s fist pumping celebration afterwards is now as famous as the shot itself.

Steve Kerr jumper – Game six, 1997 NBA Finals v Utah Jazz

Defending champions after beating the Seattle SuperSonics the year before, the Bulls met the Jazz in the 1997 Finals. With the Bulls ahead three games to two it was tied up at 86 – 86 each. A Jazz miss and Dennis Rodman rebound resulted in a Bulls timeout with 28 seconds left.

A now famous video of Steve Kerr conversing with Michael Jordan on the bench showed Kerr telling Jordan he would be ready if they doubled him. The ball found its way to Jordan who drove into traffic and had John Stockton bearing down on him for the double team. Jordan passed to Kerr who calmly knocked down the biggest fifteen footer of his life, clinching the Bulls fifth title in seven years.

Kerr jokingly said in the championship parade that Jordan wanted him to take the final shot as Jordan himself wasn’t comfortable in those situations.

Scottie Pippen dunk over Patrick Ewing – 1994 regular season v New York Knicks

It would be an understatement to say the Knicks were an unpopular team with opposing fans and players in the mid 1990s. Their physical, in your face style of play rubbed many the wrong way. Scottie Pippen had the chance to get one back on the Knicks and took it with both hands. Moving the ball down the floor in transition, guard Pete Myers hit Pippen with the perfect bounce pass.

Pippen rose up instantly and caught Patrick Ewing on a slightly mistimed block attempt. Dunking it right in his face for a massive and-one, he gave Ewing a push then stood over him for a second or two. One of the most disrespectful dunks of all-time was complete when Pippen walked past super fan Spike Lee, using some choice words to tell him to sit down.

Michael Jordan switching hands mid-air for a layup – 1991 NBA Finals vs Los Angeles Lakers

Another vintage Michael Jordan moment, this time in the finals. The 1991 Finals were Jordan’s coming of age party on the biggest stage of all. In game three, Jordan was in his bag of tricks. The series was tied at one a piece, and the Lakers dynasty looked like it may have one last championship in them. Jordan though, had other ideas. After a slow start, he caught fire to the tune of thirteen straight field goals.

The Lakers were now on the ropes. Catching a pass at the nail, Jordan took off just inside the free throw line with the ball in his right hand. It looked like he may try to dunk at first but he switched it back to his left and banked it in off the glass. Commentator Marv Albert’s call of the play will go down in history with the shot itself. ” Oh! A spectacular move by Jordan! ”

The Final Shot – Game six 1998 NBA Finals v Utah Jazz

Michael Jordan’s last shot in a Bulls uniform completed one of the most famous stretches of play in NBA history. Two time defending champions, winning five of the last seven titles, this Bulls team had already cemented their place in NBA lore. Up three games to two a see-saw game six was going right down to the wire.  Jordan was fatigued but was getting to the line and making massive plays defensively.

With 37 seconds on the clock the Bulls were down by one and the Jazz had possession. John Stockton made the entry pass to Malone in the post, Malone was guarded by Dennis Rodman but was looking to back Rodman down or pass out of the post. Jordan saw this and quickly doubled Malone, poking the ball away. With fifteen seconds on the clock Jordan had the ball at the top of the key, guarded by Bryon Russell.

After surveying his options he dribbled hard to the middle of the key. What came next is etched in NBA history forever. Jordan controversially gave Russell a small push as he crosses the ball over, Russell slips and Jordan buries the shot to give the Bulls their sixth title. The image of Jordan holding his shooting form after the made basket is one of the most famous images in NBA history.