Despite Getting Punched by Michael Jordan, 9x NBA Champion Was Forced To ?Bail? Bulls Legend During ?97 Finals

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the NBA in the 1990s. Winning 6 championships in a span of 8 years, the team alongside Jordan reached new heights as they conquered the game of basketball. The team could have easily won 8 championships if not for Jordan’s abrupt retirement. Becoming household names during that time, the Bulls had some of the best players of that era. With two three-peats to their name, the Bulls dominated for a decade, becoming fan favorites in the process.

During Jordan’s time with the Bulls, he had many great players playing alongside him, while forming arguably the greatest trio alongside Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. Although ‘Black Jesus’ had great players alongside him, there were a few ungrateful players as well. There were also players who had some nasty incidents with Jordan but ultimately came to the legend’s aid, especially on the biggest stage.

The infamous story of Michael Jordan requiring aid in the ’97 NBA Finals

We go back in time to when the score was tied at 86 during game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz seemed to be heading for overtime before current Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr made a shot that altered the course of history. Shooting a 17-foot jumper, the shot won them the match and the title, while Kerr ensured that Jordan’s second three-peat remained alive.

Speaking of the shot during the victory parade, Steve Kerr gave an insight into what happened in the huddle as he stated. “When we called time out with 25 seconds to go, we went into the huddle and Phil told Michael. ‘Michael, I want you to take the last shot‘”. Revealing that Michael felt uncomfortable in doing so, Kerr recalled MJ suggesting, “Why don’t we go to Steve?”

Continuing his story, the 9x NBA champion said, “So I thought to myself. Well, I got to bail Michael again. The shot went in and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” The anecdote has become a fan favorite today and with Steve transitioning into a much more successful coach, the story won’t die out anytime soon.

Read More: 28 Years After Michael Jordan Ruined NBA Career, 5ft 3 Veteran Fires Back at Public Humiliation With One-Word Conviction

Before bailing Jordan out, the 9x champion was once punched by the GOAT

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the world was treated to Jordan’s Netflix docuseries ‘The Last Dance’. Revolving around ‘His Airiness’ and his Bulls career, the series covered a forgotten part of MJ’s history.

Before Kerr helped him become a 5-time champion in 1997, the two were actually in a confrontation that left the 9x champion with a black eye.

Recalling the incident in the documentary, Kerr revealed. “I knew that if we were in an actual fight, he could actually probably kill me if he wanted to. […] It was more just I’m going to stand up for myself.”

Stemming from Jordan’s relentless verbal abuse, the fight actually strengthened ties between the two. Reconciling hours later this incident allowed the two to become closer and could be credited with Kerr’s impressive showing in 1997.

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