On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan shook the world with his return to the NBA, after a mixed break in the world of baseball. Four games later, with 24.8 points on average (39% shooting success), the back of the Bulls is there, especially after his buzzer shot against Atlanta, but the magic has not yet returned.
Even his former coach Doug Collins, defender and adorer of Michael Jordan in front of the eternal, explained that his former player, after all, was ” human “…
“Seeing the matches, it was clear that it was not the same Michael”, explained his agent David Falk. “I didn’t expect him to be. He didn’t disappoint me either, but his body had changed to adapt to baseball and he hadn’t done that work to get back to basketball. Despite that, he was playing well. His spirit was there. »
“Score 55 points? It’s just a matter of time.”
As a man of challenge, Michael Jordan knows that the trip to New York on March 28, 1995 is perfect to score a big blow. His good friend and reporter for NBC, Ahmad Rashad, feels it during a dinner out on the town the day before.
After returning from the restaurant, after midnight, Michael Jordan gave an interview lasting more than three hours to Pat O’Brien of CBS, and a question took on a particular dimension ever since, relates Sport Illustrated : “When will the fans be able to see an explosion, that kind of game where you score 55 points? » Response from the three-time NBA champion at the time: “It’s just a matter of time. »
Come evening, the excitement is at its height in Madison Square Garden. A few months earlier, the Knicks had played the 1994 Finals and now find themselves “in the middle of June at the end of March”, recalls a member of the communication of the franchise. No less than 325 journalists are accredited, ie 175 more than during a usual match, which causes random placements in the stands. Not everyone will have a seat to attend this special game.
Blooming in his garden and facing the best defense in the league, the new number 45 of the Bulls finds his sensations, that of number 23. John Starks must take care of him alone and at mid-distance or with his back to the circle, the triple MVP of the league (he will win two new ones in 1996 and 1998) dominates him. “In a few minutes, we understood that he was going to put his shots”comments Phil Jackson.
“I left to score. Then Patrick climbed on top of me…”
The triangle attack puts Michael Jordan in position, his talent does the rest. It doesn’t matter if the defender changes (Greg Anthony, Hubert Davis, Derek Harper), the demonstration is total. Pat Riley hesitates on a possible double-take or on systematic defensive aids. He uses them on a few occasions, but quickly, the coach leaves John Starks isolated. Not out of masochism for his rear or admiration for Michael Jordan, but because the Knicks are up front. Letting “GM” pile up the points becomes a lesser evil. “Their shooters and their spacing are so effective that if we let them, they will put everything”delivers the New York technician.
This is what worries Phil Jackson on the opposite bench. The Bulls run after the mark and it is when Michael Jordan joins the bench, at the start of the last quarter, that they make the difference.
The legend consecrated the performance of “His Airness” (55 points at 21/37 on the shot) but it deeply upset the collective balance of his teammates. Even the hero of the evening recognized it: “You have to tell the players that they shouldn’t expect to see what I did in New York every night. From our next match, I want us to play as a team. »
At the end of the game, when Michael Jordan penetrates or attacks the Knicks defense, he sees Patrick Ewing coming to challenge him. He serves Scottie Pippen or multiplies the feints to dominate John Starks. Then, at 111-111 and 15 seconds to play, he took advantage of having stared Starks and Ewing to deliver an assist to Bill Wennington, alone under the circle. The pivot inherits a ready-made basket and the Bulls win 113-111.
“I would be lying if I said that I had planned to make a pass”will admit Michael Jordan. “I left to score. Then Patrick climbed on top of me…” Which will allow Bill Wennington to leave a good note for history, after this new masterpiece from his teammate: “Tonight, Michael and I scored 57 points. »
