Michael Jordan‘s game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals is arguably one of the greatest clutch buckets in NBA history. The bucket did not just seal the series, it also gave the “Black Cat” his sixth ring. It was the perfect ending to MJ’s stint with the Chicago Bulls.
Like any other great moment, that mid-range shot has some controversy attached to it. Before Jordan rose for the jumper, he seemingly shoved Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell to the floor. This gave him enough space and a clean look at the basket. Critics say it was an offensive foul — a call that would’ve altered the history of the NBA.
Offensive foul?
The Jazz players have not been crying over spilled milk. Legendary guard John Stockton, who was a few feet away from Jordan and Russell, saw how the Bulls star pushed his teammate. However, he’s not claiming that a foul should’ve been called. That little nudge was an offensive trick that needed to be done.
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“No question. I’m not saying that because I think it should have been called a foul. I don’t. But he shoved him,” Stockton said via Chicago Magazine.
“The push-off is part of the game. To be a great player and a great scorer, you have to find ways to get yourself open and get shots off. It’s a dog fight. So, yeah, did he push off? Sure. But I don’t think I would have called it,” he added.
Russell doesn’t fully agree with Stockton. A whistle should’ve been blown, which would’ve given the ball back to the Jazz. With little time left, Game 6 of the NBA Finals would’ve ended in the Bulls fouling the Jazz for free throws.
Still, Bryon gave Mike his props. He echoed John’s sentiments, noting that Jordan simply carved space for himself. That loss was heartbreaking. However, Russell isn’t a sour loser.
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“It was a great basketball play,” Russell said. “They didn’t call it. I thought it was (a foul). Apparently, the officials didn’t. There’s nothing for me to be upset about.”
Up for debate
NBA referee Danny Crawford was responsible for blowing the whistle or not in that critical play. Officiating isn’t as simple as it seems. Crawford explained that referees can’t possibly see every little detail in a sequence. Their trained eyes can only do so much.
“There’s a thing we talk about in refereeing: call what you see, see what you call. And that play is difficult. And it’s a debatable play. So, you can put that play in front of 100 people, and you’ll go 50-50 on that play,” Crawford said.
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“And you can’t base it on what happened to Russell. Because if you blew the whistle based on what happened to Russell, easy call to make,” Danny continued.
“You have to call what you see, what Jordan does, and you don’t see it. And when you see it, I don’t know if that was a clear-cut push. So, you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. And that play has left all these sports fans to debate, and it’s a beautiful thing,” he concluded.
Debates about that shot will go on forever. It’s interesting how fans continue to talk about a moment created nearly 30 years ago. That sequence is what makes the NBA a source of pure entertainment. There’s guile, athleticism, nerves, drama, winners, and losers — elements that make basketball a great sport.