Top NBA Finals moments: Steve Kerr's jumper sinks Jazz in 1997
In Game 6 of the 1997 Finals, Steve Kerr nailed a jumper to give the Bulls their fifth championship of the Jordan era.
- Top NBA Finals Moments: Index
The Game: 1997 Finals, Game 6
The Series Situation: Chicago Bulls lead Utah Jazz, 3-2
The Play: With the clock ticking under 10 seconds and the game tied at 86, Jordan drove the left side of the court and found himself double-teamed by Byron Russell and John Stockton. After a pump fake and step-through, Jordan passed to a wide-open Steve Kerr, who hit a 17-footer to give the Chicago Bulls their fifth championship of the Jordan era.
The Significance: The greatness of Michael Jordan was as much about seeing him employ his singular physical gifts as it was seeing his mental acuity utilized. With one shot remaining to win his fifth NBA championship, Jordan recalled an earlier possession where Stockton had double-teamed him. Jordan warned Kerr to be ready, and Kerr seized the moment, knocking down the series winner. Kerr would later say it was the most memorable moment of his NBA career. That the Utah Jazz were willing to abandon Kerr, one of the NBA’s best shooters, speaks volumes about Jordan.
— From NBA.com Staff
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