1997 NBA Finals

The 1997 NBA Finals was the concluding series of the 1997 NBA Playoffs that determined the champion of the 1996–97 NBA season. The Utah Jazz of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference for the title, with the Bulls holding home court advantage. The series was played under a best-of-seven format, in the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format, with the first 2 games in Chicago, then 3 games in a row in Salt Lake City and the last 2 in Chicago.

The Bulls won the series 4 games to 2. For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Michael Jordan was named Finals MVP.

During that NBA Finals, NBC Sports's Hannah Storm became the first woman to serve as pre-game host of an NBA Finals.

NBC Sports used Ahmad Rashad (Bulls sideline) and Jim Gray (Jazz sideline) as sideline reporters.

Hal Douglas narrated the season-ending documentary for NBA Entertainment.

Background

In the 1996–97 season, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to a 69-13 record. The Bulls reached the Finals after sweeping the Washington Bullets, and beating the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat 4-1. In 1996–97, Utah was led by John Stockton and Karl Malone, posting a franchise-best 64–18 record. They reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history after sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1, and the Houston Rockets 4–2 to meet the Bulls in the Finals. A clutch 3 at the buzzer by John Stockton over Charles Barkley in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals sent Utah to the Finals.

The series between the Bulls and Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch efforts of Michael Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with a buzzer-beating jump shot. The Jazz would eventually fight the first four games to tie the series up at 2. In Game 5, Jordan scored 38 points despite suffering from a stomach virus that had rendered him weak and dehydrated at the start of the game as the Bulls pulled out a 90-88 victory at the Delta Center. The Bulls went home up 3-2 in the series and came from behind to win the contest 90–86 after Steve Kerr made the go-ahead basket, and Scottie Pippen made a steal followed by Toni Kukoč making the clinching dunk. The Bulls won the series in 6 games.

The Bulls won their second straight title from their first 3-peat in similar fashion, winning Games 5 and 6 with the series tied at 2, and clinching the series at home, like they did in the 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Until 2008, this was the last time an Eastern Conference team had home-court advantage in the Finals.

Regular season series

Both teams split the two meetings, each won by the home team:

Series scoring summary

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

1997 NBA Finals roster

1997 Chicago Bulls Playoff roster

1997 Utah Jazz Playoff roster

Series summary

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage's (Chicago's) home court (United Center).

Had the Western Conference Finals between the Jazz and the Houston Rockets reached a Game 7, the Finals would have began on Wednesday, June 4, and follow the similar Wednesday-Friday-Sunday rotation.

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4).

Game 1

Despite injuring his foot in the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami, Scottie Pippen helped the Bulls to a 84-82 victory over Utah on Sunday. He scored 27 points while Jordan scored 31. The Bulls trailed by one in the 4th, yet were able to grab a 81-79 lead after Pippen blocked Antoine Carr, then made his third 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining. However, John Stockton answered with a 3 of his own with 51.7 seconds left to give Utah an 82-81 lead. Michael Jordan made 1 of 2 free throws with 35.8 seconds left to tie it at 82. Then, Karl Malone was fouled by Rodman with 9.2 seconds left and had a chance to give Utah the lead. Scottie famously psyched him out by saying "Just remember, the mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays, Karl," before he stepped up to the line. He missed them both. Jordan got the rebound and quickly called a time-out with 7.5 seconds left. With the game on the line, the Bulls put the ball in Jordan's hands. He dribbled out most of the waning seconds, then launched a 20-footer that went in at the buzzer to give Chicago a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2

The Bulls simply dominated Game 2. After a hard fought first quarter, the Bulls took control of the game with a 12-0 second quarter run. Utah's 31 points in the first half was only one point above an NBA low. Karl Malone, who missed those two key free throws in Game 1, had another bad night, making only 6-of-20 field goals. Dennis Rodman nailed a late 3-pointer to put the Bulls up 97-85.

Game 3

The Chicago Bulls started off the first three quarters with mediocre play, despite Scottie Pippen tying a then-Finals record with seven 3-pointers. Utah was led by Karl Malone, who scored 37 points and had 10 rebounds. Chicago attempted a 4th quarter comeback, cutting a 24 point deficit down to 7, but Utah ultimately won their first game of the series. Utah's fans welcomed their proud Western Conference champs with force. During the introductions of the Jazz's starting lineups, the Bulls players plugged their ears, due to the loud cheers and fireworks within the Delta Center. With the Bulls trailing by 24 points in the second quarter, Michael Jordan threw down an alley oop slam which drew loud boos from the crowd.

Game 4

Due to the extremely loud Jazz fans in Game 3, Bulls' coach Phil Jackson wore a pair of ear plugs. A tight game with many lead changes throughout, the Jazz led by 5 after the first quarter, but trailed by 5 at halftime. The score was tied going into the fourth quarter. Late in the game, Michael Jordan made a fast break dunk to give the Bulls a 71-66 lead, but John Stockton made a momentum-shifting 3 at the top of the key to cut the deficit to 71-69. Jordan made a jumper to give the Bulls a 73-69 lead, but the Bulls would not score again. The Jazz pulled to within 1 when Stockton stole the ball from Jordan and made 2 free throws at the other end. On the next possession John Stockton grabbed a rebound from a Jordan miss and threw a full court pass to Karl Malone for a layup with 44.5 seconds left that put Utah in front for good, 74-73. After Stockton made the assist, he jumped up into the air several times pumping his fist. After some Bulls misses, Karl Malone made two free throws with 17 seconds left to put the Jazz up by 3. On the next possession, Michael Jordan's potential game-tying 3 with less than 10 seconds left rattled out; Stockton grabbed the rebound and threw another full court pass to Bryon Russell, who escaped the intentional foul and dunked with 5 tenths left in the game to seal it, drawing a huge roar from the crowd. The Jazz's 12-2 run tied the series at two games apiece. The Delta Center grew so loud that during the final moments of the game when Bryon Russell made the dunk that iced the game, Marv Albert was unable to be clearly heard. The 78-73 score was one of the lowest scores in NBA Finals history.

Game 5: The Flu Game

Game 5, known as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordan's most memorable. On Tuesday, Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning. The Bulls' trainers told Jordan that there was no way he could play the next day. The Jazz had just won Games 3 & 4 to tie the series at 2 wins apiece, and there was doubt as to whether Chicago could win without Jordan. Game 5's have often been the turning point in the NBA Finals best-of-7 format, since the winner would be just one victory away from an NBA title. Despite his ailments, Jordan rose from bed at 3 p.m., in time for the 6 o'clock tip-off at the Delta Center.^[1]

Jordan was visibly weak and pale as he stepped on the court for Game 5. At first, he displayed little energy, and John Stockton, along with reigning MVP Karl Malone, quickly led the Jazz to a 16-point lead (36-20) in the second quarter. But Jordan slowly began to make shots despite lacking his usual health. He scored 17 points in the quarter as the Bulls ended the quarter with a large run. While Jordan was fatigued in the third and sitting on the bench, the Jazz was able to reclaim the lead and stretched the lead to 8 (77-69) points early. Jordan began to score points at a rapid rate in the 4th quarter, scoring 15 fourth quarter points. With 46.5 seconds left and Chicago down 85-84, he was able to shoot free-throws. He made the first to tie the game, but missed the second. Toni Kukoc tapped the offensive rebound to Jordan, who dribbled back to allow the offense to set up. He passed the ball to Pippen, who was quickly double teamed. Pippen then passed the ball back to a now unguarded Jordan, who made a 3-point field goal to give the Bulls an 88-85 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the game.

Chicago was able to maintain the lead despite a late Utah push and held on for a narrow victory when John Stockton missed the first of two free throws in front of the stunned crowd. Malone was the high-scorer for the Jazz with 19 points but shot poorly during the game, air balling an off-balance shot on the possession prior to Jordan's big 3-pointer. Malone finished the second half 1-for-6 from the field. Jordan played 44 minutes despite his weakened body. He was visibly tired and oft-sluggish throughout the game. He finished the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. With only a few seconds remaining and the game's result safely in Chicago's favor, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms creating the most replayed and lasting image of The Flu Game.^[1]

Game 6

Michael Jordan wasn't fully recovered from the flu, but was feeling much better and led the Bulls with 39 points. Chicago struggled in the first half, scoring just 37 points and making only 9-of-27 field goals. With the Bulls struggling in the third quarter, Michael Jordan dunked after a steal, bringing the crowd to its feet and Jud Buechler buried a 3 to help give the Bulls the momentum. The Bulls trailed by 9 early in the 4th, but went on a 10-0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes when Steve Kerr hit a 3, but the Jazz regained the lead and the game remained one possession until the final score. In the final minutes, Jordan's fadeaway jumper extended the Bulls lead to 3, before Bryon Russell hit a 3 with 1:44 left to tie it at 86. The two teams failed to score on their next possessions. After Shandon Anderson missed a reverse layup, Chicago called time-out with 28 seconds left. The Jazz expected Jordan to take the final shot. Instead, Jordan drew a double-team, then passed to a wide-open Steve Kerr, who hit a 17-footer with 5 seconds left to send the United Center into a frenzy. The Jazz looked for a final shot to stay alive, but Scottie Pippen made a massive defensive play as he knocked away Bryon Russell's inbounds pass intended for Shandon Anderson and rolled the ball over to Toni Kukoc, who dunked the final 2 points of the game before the roaring crowd to bring the Finals to an end, despite there being 0.6 seconds left in the game. Afterwards, Jordan was named Finals MVP for the 5th time.

Quotes from the Finals

Just remember, The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays, Karl.

—Scottie Pippen, to Karl Malone before he took two free throws near the end of Game 1. Malone missed both throws with 9.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, keeping the game tied at 82. Jordan's shot at the buzzer won the game for the Bulls.

MJ, top of the circle, against Russell. Michael hangs, fires...SCORES!! The Bulls win!! He knocked it in at the buzzer, Bulls win! How many times has he done that?

—Bulls announcer Neil Funk after Jordan's buzzer-beater gave Chicago an 84-82 win in Game 1

We're down to five, Jordan putting moves on Russell. We're down to two, down to one, here's Jordan...YES! It is all over! The Chicago Bulls have won at the buzzer in Game 1 of the best-of-7, on a jumpshot by Michael Jordan.

—NBC commentator Marv Albert during the aforementioned game

It’s difficult to get in sync with all of the fucking Mormons out here.

—Dennis Rodman defending his poor performance in Game 3. Rodman was later fined $50,000 for this remark. He apologized, claiming he wasn't insulting Mormons, but obnoxious Jazz fans.^[2][3]

Stockton fires down to Malone...And the Jazz have taken a one-point lead!

—Marv Albert on Stockton's key play in Game 4. Utah won 78-73 to tie the series at 2.

Rebound Stockton, ahead to Karl Malone, he's got it, he scores!!! Stockton to Malone!! Jazz take the lead.

—"Hot Rod" Hundley on the aforementioned play.

A courageous, classic performance by the flu-ridden Michael Jordan.

—Marv Albert after Michael's improbable performance in Game 5, which gave the Bulls a 3-2 series lead.

It is Michael Jordan time. Scottie Pippen, looking, looking for Michael Jordan. Checks the clock, 5 on the 24, here's Jordan. Did not have the shot, Kerr did...YES!! Steve Kerr with 5 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter! The Jazz take a timeout.

—Marv Albert on Steve Kerr hitting a jumper to give the Bulls the lead in Game 6. The Bulls won this game and their fifth NBA championship.

Kerr, still with the dribble. Looking...dump to Pippen. Scottie, bumped by Shandon Anderson, hands it to Michael. Six seconds (on the shot clock)...five. Michael, in traffic, to Kerr. Fifteen-footer...YES!! He knocked it in! Kerr buried the jumper, five seconds left! The Bulls lead is two! Stevie Kerr knocked it in! He took the pass from Michael and stuffed the jumper! Wow!

—Neil Funk on the aforementioned play.

Five seconds remaining in regulation. The inbounds...batted away by Pippen! Pippen rolls it to Kukoc...and the Chicago Bulls have won their fifth championship in the last seven years!

—Marv Albert calling the final seconds of Game 6

Aftermath

Both teams would meet again in the Finals in 1998, the first time the same two teams met in the NBA Finals since 1989, when the Lakers and Pistons went up against each other. Only this time, the Jazz had home-court advantage even though both teams won 62 games, because they won the regular season series 2-0. However, the Bulls still won the series in 6 games, highlighted by Michael Jordan's last shot as a Bull in Game 6.

References

External links

• NBA History
• Archived copy of the Official Website on NBA.com