From time to time I will watch this game.
Love watching other old NBA finals games too, but this one has so many layers. The Lakers vs Pacers is another one. Maybe I will do that one next.
Every time I do its wild to remember how incredible competitors Stockton & Malone were when they go head to head with Jordan.
People love to talk about the unstoppable Jordan in the final 4:39; free throws, layup, steal, push off, the last shot, but I think its best to look at the why around the complete obvious. I think it was a number of factors but ultimately just really good instincts on both sides slightly favoring Jordan.
One of the things that Stockton kept going to was that pick n roll at the top of the key where he would either take a jumper or pick & pop/post up Malone. In the last 4:39, he runs it almost every trip. Eventually Rodman catches on and tries to front the screen and you can see Malone wearing down in real time in the final 4:39.
What ensues is eventually fatigue and killer instincts from Jordan.
- Jordan spots the fatigue on Malone right away coming up the court.
- While the steal is taking place Malone flops/fatigue on the steal to draw the foul. Doesn't work. Jordan makes the walk up the court before "The Last Shot."
- Malone was the weak side help for Russel with that close, Malone made the mistake of telling Carr to clear out right before. Of course Jordan spots that too, but fatigue got the best of him, Carr is so focused on the rebound much less the last shot and Malone didn't come out fast enough to help Russel. Why they thought he would miss, to this day I have know idea.
- This is exactly why I believe Jordan pushes off to clear that massive open last shot. Why not make a clear shot a much clearer shot. Shooters literally shoot and they only shoot better with wide open targets. The follow through was just him being thorough.
In my mind the Jazz will always go down as one of the best teams ever, that team was incredible in the 90's, Stockton and Malone were the duo.
Took arguably the best Bulls team to 6 games almost 7 games. Actually thought Stockton was going to make that final shot with 5.2 left, one of the best pg of all time.
Malone does talk about it eventually. So does Stockton, to this day its one of the best Finals games ever.