If we omit his return to the Wizards, Michael Jordan had the most perfect end of career for an NBA basketball player. A shoot for eternity during Game 6 of the Finals against Utah. A shoot, too, on which MJ let loose his truth.
Throughout his illustrious career, Michael Jordan has planted countless clutch and iconic shots – more, by the way, than anyone else. Posterity however especially retains the one facing the Jazz one evening in June 1998, in front of no less than 35.9 million viewers (all-time record, obviously untouchable to this day):
This shot, MJ went to look for it after having managed the interception on the other side of the field. Phil Jackson then chose not to take a time-out, preferring to let his artist unfold. But what if you were in number 23’s shoes? Attract the two-man grip to serve a teammate like in the title game in 1997? Driver? Shoot halfway? A few years ago, His Airness unveiled the mystery with a very interesting statement:
I had no intention of making the pass, under any circumstances. I told myself that I had intercepted the ball, and that the opportunity to win or lose the game was mine. Honestly, I would still have taken this shot even with 5 opponents on me.
I drifted, I stopped suddenly, I was able to stand up and I had an easy jump shot. Ironically enough, I usually always had a problem firing jump shots from my right, because I tended to be too short. Normally, I took a bit of a fadeaway position. But that night, all of my jumpers had been short, so I didn’t want to “fade”, I stayed straight. Think about it.
In action, in front of millions of viewers around the world and in a boiling room, Michael Jordan had time to carefully prepare his plan between the moment he stole the ball from Karl Malone and the moment he passed the median line. The rest now belongs to posterity.
Even a three, four or five take wouldn’t have stopped Michael Jordan: that shot was for him, no matter what. Did you say GOATesque?
