Five world championships in seven years--five NBA Finals MVPs for Michael Jordan. The 1997 Finals MVP was perhaps his most spectaular one, playing amid constant pressure and failing health at one point. Here's a recap of Jordan's game throughout the Finals.
In Game One, Michael was looking to establish himself and the team as the squad in the driver's seat for the series. It was an intense shoot-out where neither team could put the other away. As the clocked continued to tick down, it was evident that the team that was going to win the game would have to have a player step up and make a big contribution. They do not call that point in the game Jordan Time for nothing; with the game clock diminishing, Jordan received the feed from Kukoc and faced single coverage from Bryon Russell. Michael expanded his legend, driving left and dropping a beautiful pull-up jumper to give the Bulls a two-point victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Game Two would prove to be another showcase for Jordan's expertise. Michael would rack up 38 points on his usual athletic shots, and he also pushed the ball up the floor several times to get Chicago dunks and get the fans roaring. Everything clicked for the Bulls on that night, as they took a 2-0 series lead to Utah.
A two game deficit against the Chicago Bulls would probably cause any other team to wilt and submit, but not the fiery Utah Jazz. They continued to battle, and Games Three and Four were tough for the Bulls to get a rhythm. Utah would take those two games and even the series, with Jordan scoring 26 and 22 in the losses. However, it would be the final loss Chicago would experience in the season. Their march to the title would not be denied...
Game Five:I will always call it the game that Michael Jordan showed his true colors. A night where his legend and mystique would amaze anyone who watched. Battered by the flu, Jordan spent the day of the game in his hotel room throwing up as frequently as Wilt Chamberlin compliments himself. Michael found it almost impossible to stand, but within hours of those moments, he would be giving one of the greatest playoff performances of all time. Jordan, exhausted from the tipoff, scored only 4 in the first quarter, 17 in the second, 2 in the third, and 15 in the deciding period. Those numbers mean nothing. It was the determination with which Mike sustained his efforts that makes this game excel past almost all of his previous showstoppers. It was such an unbelievable event that Scottie Pippen was brought to tears afterwards. I was with him. Michael Jordan:the ultimate competitor, and he was soon to be crowned 1996-1997 NBA World Champion...
The Chicago coronation came on Friday the 13th, but it was certainly not an unfortunate day in the life of the Chicago Bulls or the city of Chicago. Michael Jordan would score 39 points which secured him the playoff scoring average lead, but that was not what he and the Bulls were seeking on this night. Chicago found themselves fighting another uphill battle, but they rose to the occasion like champs do. The fourth quarter is the Bulls' quarter, and it was no different on Friday the 13th. With seconds remaining, MJ got the ball and drew the double, and he pivoted which further threw Utah off. Steve Kerr stood ready at the top of the key, and Jordan notched his final assist of his season, and Kerr made the biggest shot of his career. The Bulls made it one for the thumb, with much thanks necessary to the man they call His Royal Airness, the man who motivates himself with whatever challenge he can find. What was Jordan's motivation in these Finals? I believe the main driving force was to prove to the planet that he was the true MVP. Not of just this season. That's a mortal's position...
