In today's society, the majority of sports fans want and depend on the highlights of a game versus sitting and watching in its entirety. Enter Game 2 of the 1991 NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls hosting the Los Angeles Lakers. And while star power was on its ultimate level with the likes of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, there was one single moment that seems to overshadow the rest of the game:
Michael Jordan takes the ball at the top of the key, moving past Byron Scott with the ball in his right hand, taking off for the basket intending to dunk. The Lakers' Sam Perkins came over to try to contest the shot, but Jordan switched the ball into his left hand while in midair and gently flipped it in off the glass. It has been one of the go-to Jordan highlights ever since (not to mention one of the go-to Marv Albert highlights). Thanks to the power of replay, it's a play that has been seen over and over. NBC replayed it countless times during its coverage of the 1991 Finals, then highlighted it in its game-opening package throughout the following year. And why not? It was a play that reflected all the qualities that make Jordan so unique.
However, many fail to realize that Jordan's entire Game 2 body of work was incredible. He made 13 straight shots in the second half, and although Chicago eventually won the series easily, the stakes were pretty high at the time: The Bulls had lost Game 1 at home and were in danger of trailing 2-0 heading to L.A.
Jordan wouldn't allow it, getting Chicago back on track by making 15 of 18 from the field, scoring 33 points with seven rebounds and 13 assists in the Bulls' 107-86 win. Amazingly, Jordan had only two points in the first 20 minutes before erupting to spur the Chicago rout.
Michael Jordan: The Move
Michael Jordan: 1991 NBA Finals – Game 2 Highlights
