1997 NBA Finals Game 5 Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz, June 11, 1997, The Flu Game, Greatest Games
NBA Greatest Games (later renamed Hardwood Classics, and now known as NBA Classics), rebroadcast date: 1999.
Remastered runtime: 1:45:23
Original broadcast runtime: 1:59:29
The video plays at 59 FPS with optimized quality and resolution, shortened breaks, and includes the “Greatest Games” badges, but otherwise, it remains similar to the original broadcast.
CHI 90, UTA 88 – In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan arrived with flu-like symptoms. Although, he looked lost in the first quarter, he rallied and scored 17 points in the second. He finished the game with an impressive 38 points leading the Bulls to the 90-88 win.
So sick and suffering from flu-like symptoms that at times he staggered, a dehydrated and exhausted Michael Jordan wills himself to 38 points against the Utah Jazz in a pivotal Game 5, adding to the his legend as a clutch performer and relentless competitor.
Player of the game:
Michael Jordan: 38 PTS, 13-27 FGM, 48 FG%, 2-5 3PM, 10-12 FTM, 7 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, GMSC 29.4
By 1997, there weren’t many ways for Jordan to be considered an underdog. But playing through illness — food poisoning or a sudden and severe virus had seized him between Games 4 and 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah — did add a new chapter to his legend.
Lacking energy, the Bulls’ future Hall of Famer looked lost in the first quarter, then scored 17 points in the second. He struggled in the third, then flickered on in the fourth to score seven points during a 10-0 run that erased Utah’s 77-69 lead. His 3-pointer in the final half minute gave Chicago a lead it did not lose, setting up the famous video clip of teammate Scottie Pippen helping his rag-doll pal off the floor.
“Probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done,” Jordan said afterward. “I almost played myself into passing out just to win a basketball game.” Not just any game, though — a Finals game. Said Bulls coach Phil Jackson: “This was a heroic effort, one to add to the collection of efforts that make up his legend.”
1 Comment
1st of all, I want to start off by saying this channel is a godsend. Being an absolute self described basketball junkie and can honestly say that I have a genuine love for the game of basketball- and rewatching some of the early 2000’s-late 90’s hoops is incredible and your uploads are helping me through phD studies haha
Funny enough my dissertation is in psychology, specifically sports psychology. Seeing how much of a basketball junkie you also seem to be I’d love to share my research paper with you once its published in a few months— an area I’m fascinated with is the connection between leadership styles throughout NBA history and how there isn’t necessarily one distinguished correct way of leading. Im fascinated with the for example the different coaching styles of philosophies of guys such as Pat Riley and Jerry Sloan (military-like, aggressive, constant “foot on the pedal” attitude) and then on the flip side there’s Phil Jackson (allowing his players ”freedom” within the structure of the triangle offense to mess up and figure out for themselves, at times, how to get out of pressure situations). One common leadership trait I feel that most of the “all-time” great coaches such as Pat, Phil, Red Auerbach, etc they were all masters at mind-games. Researching and studying more in-depth Bill Russell and his impact on the game was an interesting insight into what truly made him great. I remember hearing Bill Russell say in his book “Second Wind” that the reason why he was great was because “for many of the other greats, their teammates had to adjust their games to play with them. I adjusted my game to suit my teammates.” This form of leadership and approach to the game is interesting because it’s in stark contrast to other greats such as Jordan and Kobe and just proves how different approaches to the game work for different players. I’d love to know what you think of this if you have any thoughts,
2nd of all, referring to this specific game between the Jazz and Bulls I was never a real fan of the Utah Jazz growing up as I became a fan of NBA basketball beginning with the 1997 LA Lakers with Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel, Ced Ceballos and then ltr on with Kobe, Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, etc. Anyways I just wanted to share this story of meeting John Stockton in high school during a summer high school basketball camp that was held at Gonzaga University, John’s alma mater in Spokane,Washington. The camp was a 5 day camp with about 100+ teams of the best high school players and teams around the Washington, Oregon, Canada area and had notable players such as Terrance Jones, Terrance Ross, a young Payton Pritchard. Anyways at nighttime the campers were allowed to watch the midnight scrimmages which we were told John Stockton would often show up to and use to get a workout. This scrimmage was only for the college players and only a handful of the very best high school campers. I remember that players such as Kelly Olynyk, Isiah Thomas, Gary Payton II, Adam Morrison were playing and let me just tell you that seeing these dudes up close gave me a complete different perspective and understanding of how truly great all NBA players are but more importantly how truly great the “legends” are. I recall Adam Morrison absolutely destroying the pickup games and making the camp’s top high school players look like literal new born babies.
Anyways, after about 30 minutes John Stockton walked into the gym with his son who also attended the Gonzaga at the time. At the time I believe John Stockton had to have been 55+ years and his initial movement on the court wasn’t shocking as he moved how I’d expect a 50 year old man to move. After about 3 runs up and down the court, I remember John looked at us campers in the stands and said “Okay boys, playtime is over” and he completely took over the rest of the hour long scrimmage. He wasn’t moving fast at all or able to jump over a phone book, but it was the first time I was able to witness firsthand what BASKETBALL IQ truly means and how the mental aspect of the game is equally as important as the physical skill side. Stockton would get the ball on either an inbound or missed shot and would pass the ball ahead with such crazy spin, angles, and directions (we all thought initially, “no way in hell that pass is gonna make it”) but every single time the pass would somehow make it through an opening to his teammate. Even though he was playing with a bunch of young college and pro players who are in their supposed physical and athletic primes, I saw John Stockton literally control the game with screening angles and passing.
Witnessing that was incredible because I can only imagine how much more impactful he was in 1997 and then also get a better appreciation of how truly great Jordan truly is also.
Anyways, sorry for this long note but I love your videos and love the basketball discussions and points you bring up in the other posts.
This great upload just made me remember all of this. will likely comment on other interesting games also. Appreciate all the work that goes into these uploads for reals