The Chicago Bulls’ 1991 NBA Finals win over the Los Angeles Lakers kicked off one of the greatest dynasties ever. One of the enduring images of the Bulls’ epic win was an emotional Michael Jordan hugging his first Larry O’Brien trophy.
After a tedious seven-year struggle, MJ could finally call himself a champion.
However, those who watched every game and every minute of the 1991 NBA Finals know that Jordan wasn’t solely responsible for the Bulls’ triumph. While he was crowned NBA Finals MVP, other players, particularly Scottie Pippen, played a big part in shutting down the potent Lakers’ offense.
Game 2 of the 1991 NBA Finals was the start of Pip’s rise as a lockdown defender. And he showcased his skills against none other than ace point guard Magic Johnson.
When Jordan committed two quick fouls in the first quarter, Bulls head coach Phil Jackson told Scottie to do his best against the 6’9″ point guard. Magic immediately noticed the difference between Pippen and Jordan as defenders.
The defensive tweak propelled the Bulls to victory, allowing them to tie the series at one game apiece.
Interestingly, the “Zen Master” revealed that putting Pippen on Johnson was in the cards that night. They were just forced to unleash their secret weapon earlier.
Whether it was a stroke of luck or pure genius was beside the point.
Johnson, used to bullying small guards, struggled against Pippen’s length and defensive smarts, so much so that the Bulls point guard John Paxson believes the switch turned the tide in favor of Chicago.
Despite his stellar efforts against one of the greatest guards ever, Pip remained humble. He knew it was impossible to completely shut Johnson down, so he tried his very best to make things difficult.
After their Game 2 victory, the Bulls never looked back. They won three straight games to capture their first-ever NBA title.
MJ — the Finals MVP — averaged 31.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 11.4 assists in the series. Scottie added 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game for the Bulls.
Despite Pippen’s defense, Johnson still got his, leading the Lakers with 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 12.4 assists.
MINNEAPOLIS — Mark Daigneault swears the Oklahoma City Thunder still have growing to do, hinting they’re not a complete product. He keeps trying to tamp down expectations in his own subtle way because once the pressure starts it’s endless.
But it’s impossible to deny the Thunder are bucking every trend, starting with the notion the NBA is no longer a place for Big Threes leading to big winning.
The Thunder are now 48 minutes from advancing to the NBA Finals because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was joined in this playoff party by Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
In the Western Conference finals’ most competitive and entertaining game, it was the Thunder who looked more mature, more settled and more in control against the Minnesota Timberwolves, holding them off Monday night in a 128-126 win at Target Center to take a 3-1 series lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s readiness for June was hardly in question, but could Williams be a legit second scorer in a playoff game of consequence? And could the skinny Holmgren fill in the blanks, not get exploited and not get lost in a perimeter-heavy scheme?
