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The Morning Line
Sports Illustrated staff writer Marty Burns checks in after each game of the NBA Finals
Posted: Monday June 15,
1998
GAME 6:
BULLS 87, JAZZ
86
Michael Jordan sat in the back of the Bulls team bus,
smoking a cigar roughly the size of Luc Longley's right
foot and celebrating with teammates Scottie Pippen,
Ron Harper and Joe Kleine. It was a full hour after the Bulls'
amazing 87-86 victory over
the Jazz, which clinched the team's sixth NBA title in eight
years, but Jordan was still going strong. Even if the team
bus was stuck in the Delta Center parking lot, awaiting
some last-minute baggage for the trip back to the
hotel.
Through the tinted bus windows, Jordan could be seen
clowning with Pippen, blowing smoke in forward Scott
Burrell's face and mugging for center Bill Wennington's
hand-held video camera. In the seat behind Jordan, the
shiny gold Larry O'Brien Trophy
rested comfortably. Right nearby, where Jordan could keep an eye
on
it.
Has there ever been a greater competitor in any team sport
than Jordan? Just when you thought you'd seen it all from
His Airness, he pulls another miracle out of his bag of
tricks. A layup, a steal, a game-winning jumper. He makes
it look as easy as
1-2-3.
As Jordan made his move on Jazz forward Bryon Russell and
rose for the game-winning shot, the crowd at the Delta
Center emitted an audible gasp. It was as if everybody in
the building knew Jordan's shot was going to fall.
"Without a doubt, the greatest player ever to play the
game," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said.
Sunday, maybe for the final time, we got to see why all
over
again.
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NBA Finals
