The Legacy of Michael Jordan: Revisiting His Last Championship
The Last Championship of a Legend
Michael Jordan is one of the most iconic sports figures of all time. His impact on basketball, and sports in general, is impossible to ignore. So it's only appropriate that, when speaking of Jordan's legacy, we take some time to reflect on his last championship.
The 1998 Chicago Bulls
The 1998 Chicago Bulls had all the pieces necessary for a championship team. Arguably the most recognizable names on the roster were Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. As the leader of the team, Jordan was an absolute force on both ends of the floor. He set the tone with his relentless work ethic and his unselfishness, as he made sure the whole team got the credit for their successes.
Of course, the Bulls had other players that contributed to their success, such as Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, and Jud Buechler. They all played a major role in the Championship run.
The Playoffs Run
The Bulls entered the 1998 Playoffs as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. After sweeping the New Jersey Nets in the first round, they had to go up against the heated rivals, the Indiana Pacers, in the second round. The Bulls managed to beat the Pacers in a hard-fought seven-game series to move on to the Conference Finals.
In the Conference Finals, the Bulls faced off against the defending champion, the New York Knicks. Despite facing adversity, the Bulls managed to win the series in another seven-game series.
The Big Win
The Hogan's Alley gang was up against the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. The Bulls went up 3-2 in the series and faced the pressure of needing to win Game 6 in Utah. In a hard-fought battle, the Bulls managed to win the game and the championship due to a clutch performance by Michael Jordan, who scored 45 points, and a clutch three-pointer by Steve Kerr give the Bulls the lead for good.
The Legacy of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan's last championship cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. His performances were unmatched and his impact was undeniable. The way he single-handily changed the culture of basketball will never be forgotten. He was's the leader of the Chicago Bulls and his immortalize. No other player has achieved the level of success that he has achieved; an indelible mark that will stand the test of time.