There were plenty of conflicts between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas while they were NBA players. The rivalry between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in the playoffs was the cause of the two superstars’ hatred for one another. In spite of this, Zeke was all smiles when discussing Jordan’s legendary last shot during the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. For the sixth time in his eight-year career, Jordan won the NBA Championship with the help of the legendary game-winning shot.
“Everybody knows the ball is coming to him. All eyes are on him. He’s gotta get a shot. Somehow, he maneuvers, gets his man off-balance. Even though he got open, and that’s what I mean by clutch impression, because everybody knows it’s coming to him. You gotta make it. You gotta get open. “He finds a way to get open and now he’s standing at the foul line after you know, a historic career, you standing at the foul line and you knock that shot down and he captures the moment after he makes the shot.”
The incredible game-winning shot that Michael Jordan hit to end Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals crossed over Bryon Russell. The Chicago Bulls won 87-86 in the final score. The Bulls went on to win the series 4-2, and it was the icing on the cake.
Jordan scored 45 points in total, along with 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 4 steals. Jordan averaged 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game during the series. MJ’s outstanding performance throughout the series earned him his sixth NBA Finals MVP award in his career.
Isiah Thomas Talked About His First Time Playing Michael Jordan
Throughout their NBA careers, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas clashed with each other multiple times. Jordan wasn’t even in the league when they first met, though. Jordan instead competed in eight exhibition games against the Team NBA All-Stars as a member of the 1984 Team USA. Being a member of the latter, Thomas had the opportunity to play Jordan.
For Team NBA All-Stars, a 21-year-old Michael Jordan was too much to handle. After all, Team USA won all eight of their exhibition games, and the future Bulls great was undoubtedly the game’s shining light. Isiah Thomas and other NBA stars were shown in those eight games the actual power of Michael Jordan. Jordan later dominated the NBA for many years, as was to be expected.