Playoffs 1994. Without Michael Jordan, in his first retirement, the Bulls meet Patrick Ewing’s Knicks in the conference semifinals. Led 2 to 0, Phil Jackson’s men are back to the wall in Game 3. Two seconds from the end of the game, the two teams are tied: 104-104.
Phil Jackson must then make a choice between his offensive leader, Scottie Pippen, in difficulty throughout the meeting and his current lieutenant, Toni Kukoc. The “Zen Master” finally decides to give the ball to the Croatian, a saving decision for the Bulls. But Scottie Pippen does not accept it and Toni Kukoc remembers it.
“Before that last shot, Scottie [Pippen] had the opportunity to score on 3-4 unsuccessful possessions,” remembers Toni Kukoc. “We’re tied, time-out and at that point Phil decides Scottie will make the pass and I’ll take the shot. »
Scottie Pippen: ‘Michael’s not here, it’s supposed to be me to take that shot’
Toni Kukoc receives the ball and plants a shot at the buzzer which gives the victory to the Bulls. Windy City players relaunch in the series but it is not Scottie Pippen who made the pass! The All-Star winger refused to come on for the last two seconds, and he is accused of behaving like a “diva”.
“He said, ‘Michael’s not here, it’s supposed to be mine to take that shot, not make the pass, and he left’,” reveals Toni Kukoc. “Phil just asked another guy to pass, Pete Myers said ‘ok’ and we played the system. »
Phil Jackson’s decision was the right one. In the locker room, Bill Cartwright, the most experienced of the team, will replace Scottie Pippen who will apologize for his behavior in stride. The Bulls will push the New York franchise to Game 7, but without Michael Jordan, the step was too high that year.
