Bulls vs. Knicks 1997. Jordan 51 pts. (Van Gundy 'Con' Game)
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2007
- Here's the game which was removed a while ago. If I recall correctly, this is a different broadcast than Hoops so there shouldn't be a problem.
January 21, 1997
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OK, you know the story. A few days before this game, Jeff Van Gundy says in a radio interview that Jordan sometimes tries to "con" his opponents by befriending them off the court only to torch them on it. Well, Jordan sees Van Gundy's words on Chicago newspapers and... the rest is in the video.
That aside, Bulls have some major problems coming into this game. Harper is injured and Rodman is suspended for kicking a cameraman. Randy Brown and Jason Caffey are the Bulls starters along with Jordan, Pippen and Longley.
Here are some interesting facts about the game:
* Knicks were the #1 defensive team in the NBA in 1996-97, measured by points allowed per 100 possessions. Jordan had another 50 point game this season which was against Miami Heat. Not surprisingly, Miami was the #2 defensive team that year.
* In addition to scoring 58% of Bulls points, Jordan also guards Allan Houston in the entire game and totally frustrates him. Houston misses 12 of his first 13 shots. (Finishes with 5-18).
* Bulls score 14 points in the 4th quarter. Jordan scores 12 of them and assists on the other two, a dunk by Caffey.
* Jordan shoots 18-for-30 (60%) from the floor. The rest of the team are 16-for-46 (35%).
* Jordan goes 5-for-8 from 3-point range. The other Bulls are 3-for-17 from beyond the arc.
* Pippen scores 15 points on 6-15 shooting. 13 of those points come in the first quarter.
* Two Bulls starters, Randy Brown and Longley, each finishes with just two points and four turnovers.
* With no Rodman around, Knicks grab 21 offensive rebounds.
Post game notes & quotes:
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CHICAGO - Jeff Van Gundy picked a fight with the biggest Bully on the NBA block.
You know the line, "You don't tug on Superman's cape." Well, in this league you don't knock Michael Jordan and not expect a quick and lethal response. Last night, Jordan reacted to the New York Knick coach's comments the only way he knows how.
Jordan scored 51 points - the most by an NBA player this season - including two crucial jumpers in the final 1:08, as the new-look Knicks experienced an old result, the Bulls escaping with an 88-87 victory at the United Center.
Where's the rest of the world's greatest team?
Dennis Rodman, suspended by the NBA, is in California chilling out. Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc are in the midst of shooting slumps. Ron Harper has missed five games with a sore back. And Luc Longley, Steve Kerr, Randy Brown and Jason Caffey have provided little support.
So the team has become a one-man operation.
"I was prepared to do whatever it took to win," said Jordan, who reached the 50-point mark for the 36th time in his career. "There were times where things were going so well everything seemed to be in slow motion. I didn't rush. I just relaxed and played."
Van Gundy, in his first full season as the Knicks' coach, said recently that Jordan tries to "con" fellow NBA players into thinking he's their friend.
"His way is to befriend them, soften them up, try to make them feel he cares about them," Van Gundy said. "Then he goes out there and tries to destroy them. The first step as a player is to realize that and don't go for it."
The comments resurfaced in Tuesday's Chicago Tribune, where Jordan saw them.
"It was probably a tactical mistake by the coach of the Knicks to attack Michael in the press. I thought he went out and played with a vendetta, a score to settle," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.
After Jordan reached the 51-point mark with a 20-foot, fade-away jumper over Allan Houston - giving the Bulls an 88-81 lead with 26.7 seconds left - he yelled at Van Gundy.
"Some choice words," Jordan said of his offerings to Van Gundy.
"I think he said, `Calm down, you little hockey puck' - or something like that, something to that effect. I think he was talking about the hockey all-star game." said Van Gundy, attempting to downplay the obvious significance.
"Guess I didn't make any friends out there tonight," cracked Jordan.
"I think those words were more geared to motivating his players. But I don't think, on the court, they have befriended me," said Jordan, who counts New York's Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley as friends.
"I don't go on the court expecting to make friends. But when I leave the court, I don't take what happened on the court away from me. We're only playing a game. I don't view it as a war away from the game. If he feels like I take advantage of my friends, that's fine."
Van Gundy said after the game that his comments were meant as a compliment.
"He uses every weapon to his advantage - some physical, some mental. I respect that," said Van Gundy, whose team has dropped five straight regular-season games to the defending champions and lost to the Bulls in last year's playoffs. "I just say that if you fall into the trap of thinking he's your friend, he'll kill you."
In besting his own 50-point performance of Nov. 6, Jordan improved his average to 31 points - 4 1/2 more than anyone else - as he goes for his ninth NBA scoring title.
The league's all-time leader in points per game, Jordan was 18-of-30 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, and 10-of-11 from the line. The rest of the Chicago team shot 35 percent from the floor, and Jordan scored 12 of the Bulls' 14 fourth-quarter points.
Chris Childs and Jordan each received a technical foul in the first half after arguing on the court.
"It had a lot to do with the way Van Gundy has geared his players up to challenge me," Jordan said. "I don't have any ill feelings toward Childs."
Jordan does hope to take advantage of some friends - his teammates - when the Bulls play Thursday night at Cleveland. Harper is expected to come off the injured list, and the slumps of Pippen and Kukoc can't last forever.
"This team has always been able to bounce back," Jordan said. "That's what has made us great." 
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There will NEVER be another. Kobe was the closest we had to Mike, and yet the Black Mamba and Michael's skill level were galaxies apart. Jordan Forever.
Universes apart. I don't know who created this "closest" to MJ narrative, but it's pure 🤬🤬🤬
I wish this era would bring the mid range game back. It's either 3s or drive it in. When Jordan is open he very decisive, he's shoots with no hesitation.
Watch the Suns and Spurs they’re the team who shoot the most mid-range shots in today’s NBA
I have a lot of respect for Allan Houston. He wasn't known to be the greatest defender, but before Sprewell got to NY he was usually tasked with guarding guys like MJ, Reggie Miller, Kobe, etc. He didn't shut them down but he competed, which is more than you can say for most of the SGs in today's game
Matt Elmore And ultimately he improved to become a capable defender.
Allan Houston Wasn't Too Shabby Of A Shooter Himself
Doc Rivers before he permanently lost his voice
JBarber3d what happ3ned to his voice?
i had to replay it 10 times, it was such a great move... and that was in 1997!!! fake drive stutter stepped a little, fake fade away to his right and faded away left... swish!!! it was amazing. perfect
at least once a day, i always find time to look up jordan clips...amazing, such consistency.
DWAYNE WADE said MJ was his favorite player and his idol
The Man literally could not be guarded. And even more impressive he's 34@This point in his career. So it's not like he's a spring chicken...G.O.A.T
That's was the shit with Jordan, if you offended him or challenged him he would quickly remind you who was the greatest of all time lmao...don't matter who he was against made no difference in his prime.
He's always under control!
Thanks for another great vid, starks. You and Hoops make RUclips a great place for fans of MJ and the NBA in general.
Thanks for sharing.
i was 13 myself! this was the first NBA season i was really into and MJ had alot to do with it. the game really seemed diff back then. more magical. but maybe that's just my nostalgia.
Great video! I enjoyed it so much!
This shows the difference between Michael and the NBA now,When Gundy said what he said about Michael the world knew he was going to respond with a good game. Kobe and Lebron we watch and hope we can catch a game like this. There's no rivalry in players,everybody is friends because they don't have to work hard for their contracts or endorsements.
So that's what Doc Rivers' voice sounds like
Great video, he was the best ever
I just got the chills all over again!
Yeah, thanks to Starks23 for this version. I had the MSG version since I'm in NYC. Of course, having Marv Albert on MSG doesn't hurt. I wanted to re-up this game but I've always been hesitant to because I don't want RUclips getting on my back for one game. Thanks to Starks23, I can relax for a while.
Huge game. JVG learned it the hard way, and so would George Karl a few games later when the Bulls played the Sonics. It's a good thing these coaches had short memory. I thank them cause they ignited MJ even more than he was already.
Thx for bringing this one back to life starks.
Beautiful move at 0:50. Kobe used a similar move vs the Bulls at United a few years ago. Never seen him use it since.
never took a look into the 83 and 92 stats, good job putting it out here.
great game starks23~! thanks
what a classy interview.
When you pissed off Michael Jordan, the punishment was extreme humiliation and defeat. Even at the age of 34.
Lebron gave up in Cleveland, but MJ didn't give up in Chicago. Jordan's road was a tough one too, before MJ Chicago was in a playoff drought. He literally took the lumps for years, winning accolades, except rings. People doubted a scoring champion could win a ring. Nobody thought you could win without a center also, but Jordan proved them wrong. Jordan accepted a challenge, while Lebron took a shortcut. People say Jordan had Pippen, but Scottie heard boos on draft day, He became great later.
The GOAT (see previous post on this video three months ago). Not even close.
Nobody compares to '87 - '92 Jordan. Nobody. That version was godlike. People can only compare to 96-98 Jordan. That version was more human, but still the best. You can't compare someone to an old Jordan and completely forget the prime Jordan and say that that someone is as good or better. Think about this .... by the time of MJ's first retirement, he was already being considered the greatest to ever play the game. That's how good he was.
Verne Lundquist on the call a few years before he became "Uncle Verne" on the SEC on CBS.
well on the court, many have seen he is above and beyond, but off the court, the man has contributed through charity events and financially as well. I have personally attended to a few charity events myself. Additionally, his name brings inspiration all over the world just for the things he has done. He didn't cure a disease, but he gave hope to those that have diseases am pretty sure... He had a lot of hype to his name, but that hype was earned in my opinion not just given.
9:46 Here in Brazil we have some soccer rivarly against Argentina, but I felt great when I saw a guy from there with a sign saying: "Michael, I came from Argentina jus to to see you. GO BULLS"
Thank you man for represent the South Americans!!
Michael Jordan, the reason why I first bounced a basketball back in 92', the reason why I continue to dedicate to the game, to nurture that inner rhythm and for it to be one of my lifes teachers. MJ, you're indeed the The G.O.A.T. Thank you bro, Peace.
I remember this game. Whats impressive about michaels later 50 point games espeically really late with the wiz was that everything was mid range and even threes and his percentage was still unreal.
I remember this game very well. I have this whole game on tape.
the shot on houston was freaken amazing....fadeaway with such distance uncomparable....mj...
One of my fav. part is the interview. Dick Versace is pressuring him to talk about Van Gundy stuff from the beginning. He cleverly avoids the question but you can see he's trying very hard to not burst into laughter, and in the end he just can't go on anymore and says, "I did". Great stuff :)
great game ! michael shows in every single game why he is the greatest of all time ...
from 1998 to now nobody can do what hi do NOBODY !!!
look at that roster photo man look at that smile..you woulda thought he was the nicest guy in the world but oh man oh man...he was a badass on the court.
Oh my GOAT !
Amen to that my friend. Phil is still a great coach but what turned the Chicago franchise around was the introduction of the triangle by one of the greatest basketball minds Tex Winters, and of course the maturity of the players around MJ. The rest is history, it was a privilege to watch the greatest to ever play and one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
The spin move at 07.35 is just a beatiful thing...dear lord. Allan Houston didn't know what was going on.
Doc Rivers was awesome behind the mic.
I remember this game and i remember Jordan said something to Van Gundy on the way to the locker room! Dawn i would like to know what he said! Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the clarification on the 4th quarter FG/points thing, btw. Surprised he only had 12 in the 4th, however -- in his bigger games (45+) he usually goes for 14-20+ in the 4th.
i love that move i do that too but i didnt see jordan do it untill after i started doin it
I was at this game. Crazy
Amen man!!!
note at 7:16 on the scoreboard you see glen rice's 42 against the rockets.this was about the time when he went on a historic tear.he actually was the league's leading scorer after the allstar break.
G.O.A.T!
I remember this game.This was January 21, 1997.The Bulls won 88-87.He shot 18 of 30 from the field, 10 of 11 from the foul line.He also hit 5 of 8 from three point range.
Yup det916, that's the game. I think that was the shot to end the first quarter. Then he hit a 20 footer where he gave Reggie a little chest-bump before he rose in order to take out his ability to rise for the block at the end of the half; then he hit a pull-up 22 footer over Jalen Rose at the end of the 3rd. Then big baskets at the end of the 4th. Yeah, I have a good memory for these things. ;) :P
Props on getting the game back up, this is the broadcast that I have also. I can't remember the broadcast that Hoops had.
Seemed to me during this game though, that Rivers was jealous/envious of Jordan. You didn't catch any of the comments in your edit, but you may know what I'm talking about.
respect the god of basketball
Inexplicavel!
that move at 7:35 is simply amazing :)
MJ always kickin new york and van gundys ass!
Bulls scored 14 points in the 4th, Jordan scored 12 of them. Verne Lundquist was trying to say that but he made a mistake because it sounded like Jordan was 12 for 14 in the the 4th.
I know for a fact that he was 7 for 14 at the half. That means he was 11 for 16 in the second half.
This is what made Jordan so great.
check out that jumper at 5:26 .. so smooth its just beautiful.
There's actually a game vs. Indiana in the '98 ECF where Jordan hits a buzzer-beater at the end of the first 3 quarters, and then has three big baskets in the final 1:40 to seal it. Incredible.
That teams burned most often thing. With a picture of Jordan, that was cold man. Way to rub it in on teeams that the Bulls have just broken.
i wish i could see some of those games.i mean for the SEASON rice shot .470 from the three point line.thats sick especially considering the volume of shots he take.
51 on the REAL Knicks, that actually played great defense. 57 wins for this knicks team. they were always really good in the 90s
yes, he did that a lot of times and sometimes if you are the superstar you get away some of those calls, and sometimes he is just too quick. It is very hard to see the moving of his pivot foot along with the way the start putting the ball on the floor or picking up the ball. you can sometimes only find it out on slow motion.
Im a Knicks Fan but I have to admit even though the Bulls and Knicks were Great Rivals, MJ has always Terrorized us.
Ah... I had less then 5 years when i first saw the chicago rooster...Those were the days,Pippen,Jordan and Rodman :))
My childhood would have sucked if I didn't get to watch MJ play. Those were the good ol days.
Great stats
This, IMO, is Michael's most masterful 50 point game. He simply took over when his team need it the most.
3:15 Kukoc: Having a little trouble can you help me out, MJ?
3:26 Jordan: I got you
after the missed shot Toni's movements were spot on though... he even gestured to Pip that MJ was open and went under the basket immediately.
@@nanka2002 I'm not saying anything about Kukoc, he was awesome back in the day
If you still have that game, I'd really like to see it soon. I want to hear Marv's take on the whole thing.
Also, I originally saw this game on a different network (WGN perhaps?), and I'm pretty sure this is the game where Jordan mushes Chris Childs' head as they are face to face. Jordan takes his hand, puts it on Childs' forehead, and pushes his head away. They didn't show it in the replay in this video (and it may not even be from this particular game), but it happened.
Only crossing from left to right, he got that. But not right to left. Jordan was a beast w/ the right to left cross and pull up. Too damn quick to even challenge.
There have been many many times that i have been very impressed by Lebron at the young age of 23. 2007 ECF Game 5 against Detroit first comes to mind. But i dont think he will ever reach the level that Jordan, only himself, has ever got to. That just says it all about Michael Jordan.
Not SO out of his prime. He still won 3 straight rings his LAST three years in a Bulls uni. He had to rely more on his post game in his latter years. I agree the the late 80's and early 90's were THE SICKEST years of the greatest human athlete of all time!
jordan really is the best. he makes his three and is the best driver ever
"Jordan...joinin' with Jeff Van Gundy..."
Men, what a performance...nobody will ever be like him...
i think they're both good i like watching both
I've often contemplated that myself. It doesn't make sense how crazy his game is. The funny thing is most of the clips from the 80s of Jordan are fuzzy as hell so it looks like the guy is a myth. Amazing!
That little jump at 5:43 so he could grab the ball, have time to aim and throw, and only then land outside the lines. Right after stealing the ball. He was so fast, both in brain and body, it's unbelievable 0_o'
@BIGBOSS1983100 this year is too... soo many teams are beasting this year
I'm 21 too and I think there is no question, Jordan is better because Jordan was a better finisher around the rim and he was one of the best defenders of all time.
Man...Knicks were SUCH a good team that year. Damn that Knicks/Miami fight. That was the best Knicks team in years in 96-97. 57-25 Split with the Bulls, Miami & Utah: The only teams with a better record than the Knicks that season. Meaning we COULD'VE gone far.
@uberathlete It was his '96-'98 years that cemented him as the GOAT. This wasn't the run-and-gun 80's, this was a more defensive era of basketball, and Jordan still shot 48-49% from the field, primarily on jumpshots. He wasn't as flashy, but he was every bit as effective.
love that twist/fake/fadeaway on houston, but he picked up his pivot - butitdontmatterbaby
wow Michael Jordan and Randy Brown on the floor at the same time....that didn't happen often
4:52 burst of speed at almost 34 yrs old
how in the hell do you guard him (particularly, the move at 7:35 on the clip). He started his spin move above the FT line, & faked it with a pivot & returned to his fadaway, covering over 10' of space! How can you guard that?!? He is amazing. If you want to see more incredible feats, look up "Jordan's hangtime jump shot vs nets" to see him jump so high, he basically shoots down at the rim
sorry, "jordan jumps higher than the basket on jump shot"
i agree with u man
Everybody bites off of Michael. He's the G.O.A.T
To esrefb --
Scoring 51 out of the team's 88 points is obviously great, but as a percentage it's still slightly less than when Wilt scored 100 of his team's 169 points, or when Kobe scored 81 of his team's 122.
Allan Houston!!!! One of my Favorite Players too Watch, They Needa put him in 2k so i Could play him in Association... I Remember he had one of the Smoothest Jumpers back in the day.. Sad he retired early tho
Who is MJ?
Your favourite players, favourite player!
i totally agree...
Without doubt the greatest - it's a dishonour to his greatness to attempt to compare to the likes of Kobe.
Dead on dude. Semper Fi.
@WorldOfSnakes That commentator is the current coach of the Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers.
Closest to Jordan but still a billion light years behind and that's a compliment for Kobe.
man mj just had a presence on the floor... like no body else.
A better crossover from left to right hand , but not right to left hand cross. Jordan's right to left hand crossover was fast as hell when he wanted to pull up.
I love Michael Jordan's spirit tbh Van Gundy didn't say anything that offensive but where you have that fire in you like mj does you take EVERYTHING serious and it leads to a game like this.