We have already seen, rewatched, and rewatched these images again, but 26 years ago, on June 14, 1998, Bryon Russell made history, and Jerry Sloan indulged in this compliment on Michael Jordan. The best player in history has just put the finishing touches (so we think) on his incredible career.
” Sink or swim “
If Bryon Russell has his quarter of an hour of glory, it is not for a basket from elsewhere or an exceptional performance, but because he was in defense on Michael Jordan on the last basket of the 1998 Finals. This day There, the Bulls were in bad shape. Scottie Pippen has a broken back, Michael Jordan is tired, and the Jazz are not far from equalizing and pushing the title holders into a Game 7.
With a minute to go, Utah leads 86-83, and it's almost in the pocket. Except that in three actions, including an interception on Karl Malone, “His Highness” will kill the match, and offer himself a second hat-trick.
“I no longer had a choice: it was make or die”Michael Jordan will tell after the match. “I let the clock tick until I was in my favorite place. As soon as Russell sat down with me, he made it easy for me. I did my drive, and he bit into the feint. I could see the basket perfectly. »
The rest is known: the ball bursts the net, and Michael Jordan (45 points) keeps his hand stretched towards the ceiling.
“When the room goes silent, you know it’s good” concludes Michael Jordan, who does not yet know that this will be his last shot in the Bulls jersey.
The sports photo of the century
A legendary action, the most beautiful in the history of the playoffs according to fans, immortalized by Fernando Medina, NBA photographer. A photo that became in 2012, according to Sports Illustrated, the most beautiful in the history of sport.
“I heard the camera take the shot but I wasn’t sure. When I arrived at the lab, no one had taken it yet. I found it in a box, it was the first time I saw it. The second time was when ESPN Magazine chose her. It was the first time I was really proud of a photo. »
