1997-98 Chicago Bulls: Unforgettabulls Part 2/4

It wasn't easy for the 1997-98 Bulls. Unlike many of Chicago's prior title runs, this one never seemed like a mere formality. From the very beginning of the season, the Bulls were challenged both mentally and physically.
Scottie Pippen began the season on the injured list, missing the Bulls' first 35 games while recovering from off-season left foot surgery. Despite an opening night loss to the Boston Celtics and a relatively slow start of 12-9, Chicago was back on top by midseason. As Pippen played himself back into shape, Michael Jordan carried the Bulls with an assist from Toni Kukoc and the league-leading rebounding prowess of Dennis Rodman. When the regular season ended, Jordan and company had led the Bulls to a 62-20 record, tying Utah for the top mark in the NBA.
Jordan, still the league's marquee player, enhanced his legend with a plethora of honors, including All-Defensive First Team honors, All-NBA First Team honors, MVP honors for the fifth time and All-Star MVP honors for the third time. His 28.7 ppg led the NBA, giving Jordan his 10th scoring title.
In the postseason, the Bulls met first-time playoff foe Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals after dispatching the New Jersey Nets and the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran Pacers, led by NBA legend Larry Bird, forced a decisive Game 7, a first for the Bulls since 1992. Jordan's 28 points sealed the 88-83 victory for Chicago, and it was back to the Finals and a rematch with the Jazz.
By virtue of their season-series sweep over the Bulls, the Jazz had the home-court advantage this time around. After the Jazz defended home court in Game 1, the Bulls managed to steal Game 2, 93-88. Back in Chicago, the Bulls posted a 96-54 rout in Game 3 and won a close Game 4 to close within one more win of another championship. The Jazz, however, were not ready to bow out gracefully. Led by a game-high 39 points by Utah's Karl Malone the Jazz came away with an 88-86 win, as a last second shot by Jordan missed its mark.
Game 6, back in Salt Lake, was one of Jordan's finest performances ever. With Pippen severely limited by back pain, it was on Jordan's shoulders to deliver another title. It all came down to a Hollywood ending. With the Bulls trailing by one in the final minute, Jordan stole the ball from Malone and buried the series-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds remaining. Chicago beat Utah 87-86, and Jordan added his sixth Finals MVP trophy to his list of accomplishments.
After the Bulls wrapped up their season with another celebration in Chicago's Grant Park, speculation began as to what might happen next. Would the most celebrated sports dynasty be back for another title shot? If so, it wouldn't be under Jackson. After leading the Bulls to six championships, the Bulls' head coach announced he would not return. Meanwhile, Bulls fans were forced to wait out the summer for word as to whether Jordan, Pippen and Rodman would return.

[@AnotherStatsGuy]

The 7th Game for the Pacers and the Bulls sends chills down my spine.

[@bradleyboyer9979]

That Pacers series was the toughest series the 90s Bulls ever had.

[@24jhunory]

Announcer @10:00 "On paper UTAH's the favorite, but you still have to prove to me that you can take it away from MICHAEL, and nobody has done that yet" -Classic!

[@Amino2]

Kukoc's behind the back pass was sick!

[@williammccormick984]

4:03 - So dirty.

[@satriarchgtarist666]

id have to say , This is what playoff basketball was all about. i miss these rivalries and heart pumping games.

[@stevegross65]

one thing that is often overlooked about jordan is his amazing ball control. you see him driving off so many people, turning around and never losing it. he wouldnt be the same player without that

[@143jetblack]

It's Like the Lakers and the Kings 4 years later.

[@godsent4d1]

unliiiiiiiiiimited "it rimmed out!"

[@linkinp58]

"Its the sixth time in this decade they haven't lost but I've got the feeling this time could be different." Michael- Nope

[@jordans45611and13]

Damn those 98 playoffs were fucking epic!!!! I miss great basketball like this

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

Game 7 against the Pacers was a true war. Early on I thought the Pacers were gonna blow the Bulls in their own building. Then the Bulls basically said "Fuck the jump shots. Were going to the basket and were getting every damn rebound!!" The only reason why the Pacers lost the game because the Bulls dominated the offensive glass. Each miss Pippen, Jordan, and Rodman went after every missed shots and Bulls were 25+ on the offensive glass which the main factor against Indiana.

[@1103bullsnation]

The 1998 Eastern Conference Finals was tough. Because we couldn't win at Market Square Arena unlike the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks were we won four straight to win the series in 6 including the critical game 5.

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

The 1997-98 Indiana Pacers and the 1991-92 New York Knicks are the only teams to push the Bulls to 7 game series. The 1995-96 Orlando Magic and 1996-97 Miami Heat had absolutely no chance against the Bulls. We lost only 1 game of those Conference Finals and that's was against Miami (Game 4- Mourning's guarantee game to avoid the sweep, he elbowed Pippen in the head and tackled Rodman to the camera section. Jordan never respected Mourning because he was soft and MJ knew it too.)

[@edwardrichardson9543]

Don't forget about the 1989-90 Detroit Pistons

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

Edward Richardson That team was not ready and they were in a fierce battle with Detroit. And, yes I was referring the championship years.

[@AnotherStatsGuy]

Aw man, Stockton gets the steal to win the 1st game playing in Utah in both years. Stockton should have been the MVP of the Jazz and the guy to take the final shot game after game.

[@QueensBey]

"I never make promises, I don't even promise to my wife, but we will win Game 7" haha damn I miss those days

[@143jetblack]

Pippen's unbelievable shot looks like Shaq's Jumphook against Webber.

[@jdog34505]

UNBEEELEEEIEVABLEEE!! LOL

[@manuknapatai]

it rimmed out it rimmed out it rimmed out...!!! LOLOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLTROLLOLOLOLOLOLOLLL

[@erbinbronira9837]

unBelievaBULLS!!! lol

[@ChrisTheVigilante]

Hey ***** the songs from this video and part 3 are some songs I would like to see you upload. Thanks.

[@johnsmart5430]

this part has the best music in the series there are a lot of tracks I want so I want them uploaded if you have

[@hihihi3322]

It rimmed out! it rimmed out! it rimmed out!

[@satriarchgtarist666]

@nibbly12345 i think he was nervous cuz he knew Jordan would come back after the fail last second shot. i was watching that game , it was so damn close, you could hear a nail hit the floor, and then the crowd went nuts, it was intense.

[@bulls90s]

UN-BEE-LIEEEVABLEE

[@prophet15loop]

"Michael can really jump but Smith is seven four" LOL

[@Sahluful]

Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing were the only ones that took Jordan to a seventh game. Karl Malone, John Stockton and Charles Barkley are the only ones that took Jordan to overtime.

[@Av1on1cs]

Cause he knew he anticipated what would happen at 8:41!

[@brdpitt]

Play 3 minutes 27 seconds over and over again. It rimmed out it rimmed out it rimmed out!!!!!!!!! Guy sounds like hes having a heart attack

[@bluetwirk300zx]

What is the song that starts at 8:25 to 9:20???

[@MusicFromNBAFilms]

Turkakturk Mark Shreeve - Holovision

[@AnotherStatsGuy]

How Right Reggie was.

[@46288328]

it rimmed out, it rimmed out , it rimmed out. GEEZ calm down

[@KQH8]

The Bulls dont have to thank Dick Bavetta for anything. The won the series and they are the best team of all time. Deal with it.

[@brtsimpson]

What is the song at 08:40?

[@MusicFromNBAFilms]

brtsimpson Mark Shreeve - Holovision

[@thelittlemind]

what is the song at 3:54

[@MusicFromNBAFilms]

thelittlemind Dave Hewson - Tough Decisions

[@nibbly12345]

Why is Larry Bird just standing there after when Reggie hit the shot 3:04 and the whole pacers team is celerbrating?

[@jestinbonvalenciabohol9586]

Because he knows that there's still a time left and knowingly what MJ could do

[@Louie212121]

@2enchant lol... Jordan = GOAT. Undisputed to this day. There's the obviousness of his skills and athleticism, the 50+ point games, the triple doubles etc. But he's winner. He's more of a winner than Kobe or LeBron. 6 rings in 6 attempts. 2 of those against teams who had the season's MVP. He never failed to show up in a make or breal game. I think we all remember how pathetic LeBron's last game in Cleveland colors was. Michael simply never played like that.

[@1227weaverb]

@Louie212121 Lebron's last game in Cleveland was a triple double..

[@manuknapatai]

so cheer leader of for 2 seasons would be antoine carr was it? everytime the camera panned to jazz, it must have the big dawg on it, cheering. LOL!

[@Yankeesfanforlife5]

Those anyone think Bulls could 4 peat if this team would stay together after 1998 championship?

[@tristenhughes2445]

Thats was there record, the bulls had the same record also, but the jazz beat them 2 times in the reg season gain that home court adavantage in the finals

[@ericradford2142]

I don't think so.

[@JustNeedaBeerandPark]

14:03: Karl Malone sounds self-doubting!!!!

[@PATRIOTxx3]

The jazz had a better record than 62-20?!?!

[@dabossdafly]

Scottie was not a sidekick

[@kcpoy]

@lcromy another kobe fan at bulls vid? lol. kobe should thank shaq for 3 rings shaq=mvp 3x. 2010 game 7 kobe is a no show with only 11 points, OMG! Gasul should be the mvp as he has better overall stats in the series.

[@jbargayo]

Gara nawng nimo miller retire langka wa katilaw championship bwahahaha

[@trukilla17]

@2enchant MICHAEL JORDAN= 6 RINGS LEBRON JAMES = A HEADBAND

[@2321tma]

is it just me or the scores r low as hell compared to now?

[@ExclusiveSquadTV]

The defense was more tough back than. Nowadays it's all about offense

[@LuigiLaker]

Because he HIMSELF had hit countless GW shots in the playoffs, stooge..nothing special.

[@jbargayo]

Far from over sa mata mo