Michael Jordan game-winner: Bulls vs Jazz, 1997 Finals: Game 1

The Mailman does not deliver on Sunday.
But Michael Jordan delivers all the time.
After the 1997 MVP, Karl Malone, missed two late free throws that would have given the Jazz the lead, Michael Jordan calmly nailed a jumper as time expired to give the Bulls a 84-82 win in game one of the 1997 Finals.
Jordan hit 13 of 27 shots to finish with 31 points. Scottie Pippen had a solid game, adding 27 points.
For Utah, Malone finished with 23 and John Stockton added 16.
The Bulls took a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

[@offtop5784]

this man was so good that he has a whole buzzer beater in the finals that people hardly talk about

[@Skazellino]

Is there a such a thing as a half buzzer beater?

[@onetwo8847]

100%. People don't often talk about the 55 of his team's 111 points in game 4 of the '93 finals either. Most focus is on the 98 shot, the Ehlo shot, the move, the shrug, the flu game, 63 vs celtics e.t.c

[@brandon_e24]

@@onetwo8847Also 45 of 87 team points in 98’ Finals gm 6

[@daltonoftheyear]

you are referring to this one?? it's always been seen as iconic.

[@Kimeikus]

9:05 Everything about this game winner is so beautiful. It’s my favorite MJ shot 🥶🥶

[@kevinseveneleven]

The timing, the pull-up, the elevation and follow thru.... the horn going off and then the clean swish..... a work of art

[@PEPEelZAPATISTA]

"The mail man doesn't deliver on a Sunday." -Pippen CLASSIC!

[@Phillygoat1983]

Nope he only deliver babies 😂😂😂😂

[@zawaji5380]

That's the funniest trash talk ever

[@jude305]

The most underrated game winning shot in NBA history!

[@crispyflix]

I was there.. nosebleeds.. but I was there

[@SoCal-AMG]

lucky you got to see him play...i was too young...sadly

[@taylordwayne5427]

June 1, 1997.....

[@jonathanlauber9944]

Im jealous!

[@philr559]

Nosebleeds are the best seat in the house

[@lizataylor8285]

I have seen this countless times but still Im in awe. Nobody does it like mj, I mean the feeling, the impact that he has and gives us, even by just watching him on TV. I miss the good old days but its a memory of my childhood that I will treasure forever. ♥ Thankyou mj and the bulls, the 90's was my best years!

[@zroxmolejon6278]

i had to cutting classes before in my elem days just to watch this finals

[@gerritpohl287]

❤️❤️❤️❤️💪🏻

[@billyruffin4692]

I fully agree. I watched this game live on TV IN 1997; and I have watched this shot over & over & over & over again on KZbin. No matter how many times I watch this shot it sends chills down my spine; and I ALWAYS raise my fist like Jordan did. HANDS DOWN THE G.O.A.T. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, NOBODY ELSE IS EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE!!!!

[@leocarr8694]

The excitement can't explain to mj play

[@2414kels]

Great times my house went nuts after that buzzer beater.

[@TomiAdewoleAdetom]

Mine too!!! We all absolutely lost it. It was insane - it was like this guy ALWAYS stepped up in brilliant fashion.

[@edgarjurado9131]

Remeber this like it was yesterday... the greatest of all time ...always stepped up ..and showed his ability to be a great leader...unlike todays nbas superstars.

[@acdc2454]

Edgar Jurado I'm from Chicago, I love MJ and yes he is the GOAT, but no one always stepped up. He missed a few potential game winners like anyone would, no one is perfect. He is as close as we'll see an NBA player be though.

[@Crypto_prod35]

Today I feel like its a threep point contest accompanied with flopping and good players joining up and not competing against each other

[@Crypto_prod35]

@@acdc2454 Jordan gave it his all and he never stopped only when the clock hit 00.00. Yhats a true leader

[@shyshka_]

The mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays)

[@ExceptionalPleb]

Those free throws cost them the game

[@taylordwayne5427]

@@ExceptionalPleb The Bulls would have won regardless

[@sstar202]

@@taylordwayne5427 they needed that little boost of confidence though. The Mailman gave away the game.

[@musicman76enator]

GIF / Meme

[@brandonanthonyk]

There was always a Lone Ranger quality to Michael Jordan that will never be replicated in basketball again.

[@f.tylerpeck885]

Nobody deserved to win a championship more than Malone and Stockton, nobody deserved to beat the bulls more than the Jazz. But MJ was just too much. He torched the Jazz. Even in their losing effort though, NOBODY pushed the bulls to the brink like the Jazz.

[@McDonaldsDude]

F. Tyler Peck The Suns did back in 93.

[@DeepfriedBaby]

Also the Knicks

[@jeffreymcmahan4989]

Didn't Chicago win that series in 5? Everyone expected it to be so rough because the Suns had a better regular season record. But Chicago was so veteran by then, so killer, so keen in the high-stakes situations.... MJ had the greatest finals series in history. Phoenix had no serious chance.

[@iandouglass7135]

@@jeffreymcmahan4989 Small correction; the Chicago-Phoenix series went six games, and if Paxson misses the buzzer three, it goes to seven games. So, I think it's fair to say the Suns at least had a chance.

[@jeffreymcmahan4989]

​@David Yvonne I was 7 years old during the 1993 NBA finals. I was commenting from memory after 25 years. Please learn to type.

[@karlhanson4701]

Wow, Jordan was so good! Glad I got to watch him for so many years. Great seeing these videos.

[@jeffreyjackson5229]

I remember seeing this game- kneeled in the front of the t.v. And after all of these years, that shot still gives me goosebumps.

[@BigMike12_]

I was 12 years old watching this! Man o man! Good times

[@Harcorwrestler]

Mike Buford me too, was 12 and was in disbelief when he hit that shot. I wasn’t much of a Jordan fan then because he always got my Lakers, but he’s shown time and time again why he’s the goat.

[@LokTar_Ogar93]

i like how MJ just not celebrating and knowing it was only game 1

[@CentlonCOD]

LeCuck wouldve said how great he is for sure lol

[@the757general2]

@@CentlonCOD you sound like a hater

[@CentlonCOD]

@@the757general2 just speaking the truth

[@damianking11]

@@CentlonCODstop fantasizing about LeBron

[@CentlonCOD]

@@damianking11 nah you should stop yourself sucking off the king of flop

[@kurodamon6017]

The real king..

[@MrSiad123]

Throwing shade at lebron I see

[@MrSiad123]

Throwing shade at Lebron I see .....

[@285dwhite]

⁠@@MrSiad123😂😂😂😂

[@brandonanthonyk]

One of Marv Albert’s greatest calls… “Down to 5, Jordan putting moves on Russell, Down to 2, & a one, here’s Jordan!…. YES! It is all over… The Chicago Bulls have won at the buzzer.”

[@jonathanfiskus94]

The amazing thing about this shot is that while I was watching I had no doubt Jordan was gonna make it. Have never felt that way about any other player. That's why he's the GOAT. Also Marv Albert's perfect call.

[@dcan2315]

nothing sounds better than that alarm going off and then u hear the crowd explode and then you see the greatest player ever to lace up his tennis shoes walk away like "business as usual" was taken care of. He will and always be a legend in the game and for this, this is why people loved him.

[@jojocapone4861]

Damn pippen fucked malone head up and made him miss them freethrows!! Mailman dont deliver in Sundays!!

[@serenysmusic]

I’ve probably watched that game winner 500 times. Jordan was so good. I miss these days

[@swoopy67]

I was watching live in the UK when I was 14. It was like 4 am and I was supposed to be sleeping cus it was a school night. Ended up on my knees with my arms in the air. Couldn't believe it, it was like a fairy tale end that I'd heard Jordan was famous for.

[@trextzy8706]

I just saw this on the last dance docu and my jaw dropped never seen this shot before and i actually felt excitement even though this happened decades ago like wow just the Goat.

[@KinnereyB]

It's a joke that MJ didn't win the MVP this year AND the following year. Mailman stole two MVP's from MJ just like Barkley stole his MVP in '93. And I know Bird and Magic are legends, but in 86-87 MJ avg'd 37.1ppg (scored 40+ in nine straight games) AND in the same season became the 1st player ever to get 100 blocks and 200 steals in one season single handedly getting the Bulls into the Playoffs. MJ should have won at least 10 MVP's. And everyone knows the Bulls would have won 8 in a row if he didn't retire and play baseball for two years. The GOAT forever.

[@egpytiankobe]

Actually, MJ did win the 1998 MVP. He was the ASG MVP, Regular season and Finals MVP just like in 96

[@peggykinary5668]

egpytiankobe Malone won the 1996-97 regular season mvp. MJ won the trio in 1995-96 and 1997-98. This is the 1997 NBA Finals, so it's the year Malone won the regular season MVP. IMO, MJ should have won the year Barkley won it too.

[@KinnereyB]

Oh for sure (on your comment about MJ should have won MVP in '93). A lot of ppl on ESPN have said this and I agree - MJ only having 5 regular season MVP's is a travesty. He should have 10. He was always in the running for defensive player of the year and steals leader, he led the league in scoring ten times, and he led an otherwise moribund franchise to the playoffs year after year and then deep into the playoffs before Pippen and Grant were even integral parts. Go back and look at the winners for the years he was in his prime and look at every important stat including win shares. It is a joke that he only had 5 reg season MVP's.

[@Seoulmanaja]

Agreed he should have won it those years. You know it was burning Micheal inside because he brought it up in the post game about the MVP. You know its on his mind when he brings it up and not the media.

[@gabrielreyes9045]

the Suns won 62 games that year and the bulls won 57. That's why Barkley won MVP in 1993

[@KingDusto11]

NBA on NBC, I miss you, please come back

[@Jumpman1989]

it always came down to final few seconds and all of a sudden the ball was his and the game was his. He made me think that every time he got the ball he could score and that feeling was even bigger during the playoffs and finals. This 1997 game 1 game winner is my personal favourite because it shows the final play designed strictly for MJ. It was not only the heaviest load for any player to take that shot but also huge responsibility. Thanks for the memories Mike

[@sj4632]

Nothing better than 90s basketball.

[@TheIceWatkins]

I mean... Jesus Christ words can't describe Michael Jordan haha. Just an absolute legend. The guy was just unbelievable.

[@mcneal78]

This shot is 12 years in the making! It happened 12 years ago today. June 1, 1997. This was one of MJ's classic buzzer beaters!

[@jonnyboy1696]

25 years ago damn

[@groofoot]

Watched this happen live on tv on 6-1-97 ... never get tired of watching it. These days are a-comin' back, folks!! :D

[@jaywv1981]

I've watched that shot about a million times and I just noticed that Russell actually knocked the ball out of his hands and he still regrouped and made the shot. Amazing.

[@TheTaxiGuy2012]

Say what you want but Michael Jordan is clutch I remember watching this as a kid live and when he made that shot I almost went through the roof jumping and screaming such great memories it’s too bad the Bulls are what they are now because I remember how good they used to be!! Not to mention I’ve never seen nba crowd go so crazy to this day!!

[@oliverzettas8286]

Best Shot Ever 🔥🏆🚀

[@suicide_king6804]

That's clutch.

[@kcuba1228]

this is low key the most cold blooded Finals buzzer beater MJ did

[@gerritpohl287]

This Memorys will live for ever👍🏻☝🏻Thanks Michael 💪🏻👌🏻You are the reason why i played Basketball ❤️😇

[@bridogg23]

I love this game because everyone knows that Malone won the MVP of the regular season this year. He misses both free throws and we all know that deep inside MJ believed he was the MVP. So with the game on the line, in one shot, MJ proved to the basketball world once again who the best basketball player of all time is.

[@violinv]

I always think about this shot by Jordan at the buzzer and how he pumped his fist

[@TheJetKenny]

"You reach, I teach"

[@cedricbrooks1547]

Kenny Hooper exactly

[@Steelcat1000]

Michael Jordan was always such a class act and played the game like no one before him or since has played. People talk a lot about Kobe and Lebron these days. Those two aren't even the fraction of the player MJ was because Michael was great both on and off the court. An off night for Jordan was only putting up 20 points! He was truely a superstar that brought the NBA into it's glory days. He was my idol as a kid and I still love the Bulls to this day because of him

[@kanguesso]

Gotta love Bill Walton's advice to Bryan Russell. "Disciplined defense, force the fadeaway jumper, DON'T FOUL". Russell actually does just that, and what does Jordan do after being forced to an almost fade away jumper going to his left? He drains it. Truly the GOAT.

[@jelatov]

I remember seeing this live.. everyone went nuts when this happened. Unbelievable!

[@davideagin5321]

"Disciplined defense, force the fadeaway jumper, don't foul." Done, done, done. MJ is the greatest.

[@satriarchgtarist666]

man i had goosebumps during the last 5 seconds !!! nba has never been the same,,,,,

[@showstoppa01]

Youll always find Randy brown rushing to Michael to hug him in every Bulls video from 96 to 98

[@jeffreymcmahan4989]

It was Judd Buschler, in this case.

[@Wis_Dom]

He looking in the camera trying to get a a photo opp. lol

[@khale4nia]

Both teams would completely destroy today's teams. The 2014 Spurs would have put up a good challenge - but not against these two teams.

[@mrv3173]

nba's been dope since duncan, ray allen and kobe left...

[@jeraxon3044]

My all time idol MJ!!

[@23323311]

michael and scottie i will never forget you!!!

[@MrNewman7336]

That’s a real GOAT. Court Jester James will never live up to the legacy of MJ.

[@2414kels]

NBA ON NBC the 90's was great NBA i miss this, this was a classic finals glad my bulls won the ship!

[@jwm923]

My fav. Jordan shot.

[@Trevor_Smith22]

Just the best. No debate. Hope everyone is sleeping well tonight.

[@jimidelphia]

Michael catches the ball exactly at 6.0 seconds on the shot clock, makes exactly 6 moves (5 dribbles, and shoots on the 6th move) possibly the most beautiful anything seen by anyone watching. God created and scripted the perfect athlete for us to enjoy. 6-0 in the NBA finals aaand 6 NBA finals MVP. There is an endless chasm between Michael “His Airness”Jordan and whoever is considered to be second best. Thanks MJ. Love always, from all of us, with brains.

[@ompongawooh29]

the winning shot was BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLL!!!

[@seniorbp]

Poetry in motion

[@ohmyassoff1087]

Damn, Ali there too, so many legends in one place

[@GreatkingAlexander]

Number 5 the legend continues

[@olonbayar42]

true legend!

[@jdthedj5682]

MICHAEL JORDAN IS DA BEST!!!!!

[@benbluesing]

Omg this team...miss them

[@riojonmejares8996]

MJ played great especially the gamewinner! And karl malone just got choked on his freethrows!

[@Mj-kl3rb]

That shooting form though

[@TheViviid]

Peep Scottie's stat line tho

[@wizardhype]

You know what I like about Jordan is the fact that he did not beat malone, he humilated him. Malone missis two clutch free throws that gives jordan the chance to nail the game winner and he does. The very last game MJ played for the bulls MJ stole the basketball from Malone to nail the shot for the game winner that got MJ his sixth title.

[@vashthestampede11]

Show me one, just one moment like this that LeBron has from the Finals. I'll wait

[@anthonyjohnson-dq8ls]

😂😂😂😂😂 IT ain't none

[@linkupthemovie197]

9:10 Legendary

[@jrbhbr]

9:40 - "Phil Jackson so calm all time, gets up and goes: Alright, I like that guy on my team!"

[@element4661]

Dam i miss Jordan

[@MrEOM41]

Jazz ran into the Bulls two years straight had to be frustrating not being able to defeat them.

[@kenhernandez8128]

MJ was the best player for the entire game and he was even better in crunch time.

[@andrewmiller4116]

People always forget about this one

[@bruceleeroy8302]

This is some classic NBA shit! Miss these days!

[@R34ISdabest]

great video, MJ simply the greatest. somewhere out there phil is probably wishing he was still coaching jordan ever since his second final loss :P gosh i miss the nba of the 90's. greatest era ever.

[@dafiend93]

this video was amazing to of the greatest of all time in one setting ali and jordan

[@LexTan]

It's not just Michael that makes this moment phenomenal... what also made this moment huge was (in no particular order): 1) The Utah Jazz team really stepping it up and making Jordan and the Bulls really work throughout the entire game. 2) Marv Albert's call, "We're down to two, down to one, here's Jordan. YES!" 3) The United Center crowd's insane pop nearly drowning out the Marvelous one's call. 4) The Bulls themselves popping as hard as they did even though they've done this so many times and treat the game as professionals... even though they've experienced his greatness many many times over, and even with the complicated relationships they all shared as revealed in "The Last Dance", still coming together as a team with one committed goal. 5) The camera crew immediately going for a closeup on Michael for his reaction... and you see a stone cold celebration.

[@anthonyhernandez2111]

"Heres Jordan..YESSS!!." what a time. NBA ON NBC nothing like it

[@lhourdeanthony4237]

what about Mike Breen on ESPN??

[@anthonyhernandez2111]

@@lhourdeanthony4237 hes preety good also i like him. i just loved the NBC days also

[@anthologyofinterest1]

nba on nbc, the way it should've always been. nothing reminds me of my childhood more than that.

[@Cwm368]

I look at this game and of course see Jordan but Pippen... what a player he was too, he did it all for the team.

[@NoName718.]

This was basketball. No smiles on the court no hand shaking, only fist bumps of respect. Everyone wants to win, unlike today when opponents are smiling and joking around during games.

[@mikeroagreschen5350]

I watched this game as I watched every Bulls game... Can't believe I forgot about the Muhammad Ali tribute.

[@ericcendejas7505]

Abc is horrible, bring back nbc

[@zylzyl3823]

4 realz !_!

[@bendillon8931]

Nobody did NBA like NBC. That’s why they’re #1 in football now too.

[@rjaayo]

mailman dont deliver on sundays HAHA gotta love scottie pippen

[@yagiwilliams343]

rjaayo 😂😂😂

[@easyenetwork2023]

YaGi Williams Let’s face it, MJ never win without Scottie. Best duo in NBA history honestly.

[@RaymondStarkes]

When is abc's contract up?? Please NBC..pick up the NBA contract again! Love the build up and story lines..

[@Widkey]

No team has won Double Three-Peat Championships since MJ's Bulls, 20 years ago.

[@rafaelreyes9]

Nobody else in history actually

[@Lakerschamps-yi2em]

The Goat. Lebron is really good but Jordan’s legacy is untouchable

[@jakestanley52]

Damn Randy Brown DIPPED off the bench to hug Jordan lol. Jocking hard.

[@thejoint25]

That's why Michael is simply the greatest. Not Lebron, not Kobe, not anyone!

[@vanishing_girl]

Steve Kerr is just standing there so happily

[@Supercuhz]

damn ali is swagged out for that game haha

[@sunnyg6284]

Look who's on the floor during that last possession. MJ, Pip, Kukoc, Kerr & Buechler. Give MJ one other primetime player and in the words of Marv Albert... "it is all over" 🐐

[@apimpnamedslickback8519]

Mr Ali Saucy Coming to Witness Jordan says it all

[@shermanngjazz]

The last time the NBA Finals had a buzzer beater game winner!

[@SPtheGREAT]

I WITNESSED THIS AS IT HAPPENED!!!

[@joseyarty8520]

The 90s was the best .Wwe basketball and music.

[@kooj22]

"The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays."

[@Jumpman1989]

@uberathlete lets just say it loudly so everybody can hear. Michael was from his rookie year the best individual player in the league and to be honest he should've won MVP in every year from 1987 till 98 (with the exception of 1995)

[@Spartanshaq777]

heres Jordan?..YYESSSHH!!!!! 😆😆😆

[@jefferyyot5587]

Classic

[@CharlesFosterKane-m4p]

Mailman doesn't deliver on a Sunday. Classic.

[@rocketshark6056]

Yep. The editor cut out the best part. Scottie said to him on the line. The Mailman gave a little smirk. Then missed 'em both.

[@wowhead1]

Wow, how have I never heard about that? Nice info.