There is a myth out there that Michael Jordan may not have won without Scottie Pippen. In 1997/98, at 35 years of age and with an injured index finger, Jordan was required to lead the Bulls without Scottie Pippen for the first 35 games of the season. The Bulls started 12-9 before they turned it around, winning eight straight and 11 of 12 after they returned home in December. When Pippen returned in mid January the Bulls were 24-11 and even after Pippen's return it was still Jordan carrying them. Again in 'Game 6' of the 1998 NBA Finals with Scottie Pippen being virtually useless with a bad back it was, once again, up to Jordan. A game in which he practically held off the Jazz alone, finishing with 45 points in taking 15 of the Bulls' 19 free throws and 35 of their 67 shots. He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and made all eight of his free throws. Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth championship with Jordan winning his sixth Finals MVP award. "I didn't think he could top that game," Phil Jackson said refering to the Flu Game. "He topped it tonight. I think it was the best performance I've seen in a critical situation and critical game in a series." SCOTTIE PIPPEN'S ROLE ON THE TEAM Scottie Pippen enabled Michael Jordan to carry less of the load. Pippen's ability to guard an offensive player, enabled Jordan to safely freelance in the lanes for steals and the fast break that broke most teams. Because if Jordan gambled wrong on defense, Pippen would be there to help ...
Tags: Michael, Jordan, Scottie, Pippen, 1997, 1998, game, finals, championship, winning, shot, the, pose, mvp, nickykm
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