Michael Jordan's success in the NBA Finals may be the most indisputable argument for why he's the greatest hooper in history. Jordan's Bulls went six-for-six in the Finals, and Jordan averaged 33.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 35 games — while never playing a Game 7.
Beyond the numbers, though, Jordan's unrivaled flair for the dramatic on the highest stage cemented his GOAT status. Ahead of the premiere of ESPN's “The Last Dance” docuseries, let's revisit his greatest moment from each Finals appearance.
1991: “A Spectacular Move”
It's fitting that Michael Jordan's first Finals victory came over Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers — as the “face of basketball” torch was officially passed. There wasn't a ton of drama — the Bulls won in five — though it did produce a signature Jordan highlight.
In the fourth quarter of Game 2, Jordan sliced through the lane and skied for a tomahawk, only to switch to a lefty scoop in anticipation of Sam Perkins. Was it necessary? Probably not, but it gave us an indelible image and Marv Albert call. The Bulls rode the momentum to three more dubs and the franchise's first title.
1992: The Shrug/General dismantling of Clyde Drexler
Michael Jordan had extra motivation for the '92 Finals thanks to a Sports Illustrated cover story equating Clyde Drexler with him as the league's top shooting guard. Jordan opened the series by netting a then-Finals record six 3-pointers in the first half of Game 1 — a 122-89 Bulls blowout — causing him to deliver that genuinely surprised shrug. Peak MJ torched Clyde for 35.8 points per game on .526/.429/.891 shooting splits. Bulls in six.
1993: 55 points in Game 4
The Suns were a strong 62-win squad led by MVP Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, and Thunder Dan Majerle. Michael Jordan went off in a crucial Game 4, dropping 55 points (the second-most ever in a Finals game) on 21-37 shooting in a tense 111-105 Bulls win to take a 3-1 series lead. The most famous play from this series is probably John Paxson's 3 to clinch the title, but Jordan's ice-cold Game 4 double-nickel performance essentially put the series away.
1996: 36 points in Game 3 destruction
The 72-win Bulls ran out to 3-0 lead over the upstart Seattle SuperSonics led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Michael Jordan had his least impressive Finals: 27.3 points (41.5 FG%), 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists (a banged-up Pippen struggled, too). The team's only truly great all-around performance came in Game 3, when MJ dropped 36 points in a 108-86 Bulls road win. They closed out Seattle in six games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpfIjY2bOw
1997: The Flu Game
You know you're clutch when a Game 1 buzzer-beater isn't your most memorable moment from a Finals. But The Flu Game is simply one of the most iconic performances in sports history, and the greatest manifestation of MJ's unparalleled will to win. Michael Jordan accessed some deeper power to gut out a 38-point effort in a Game 5 win against a tough Utah Jazz team. Seriously, it's staggering how sick Jordan looks in the footage.
1998: The final minute of Game 6
With the Jazz looking to force a Game 7 at home over a fatigued Bulls team, Michael Jordan single-handedly closed out the dynasty with arguably the greatest final minute ever played. After two Jordan free throws to tie the game, a John Stockton triple led to a Phil Jackson timeout with 41.2 seconds left and Chicago down three. Then, an exhausted-looking Jordan — in uninterrupted succession — hit a tough layup, stripped Karl Malone, and nailed the title-clinching jumper over Bryon Russell. No other Bulls player touched the ball during that final stretch.
A fitting way to finish off his Bulls career.
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