Michael Jordan 1997 Finals: Gm 5 Vs. Jazz, "FLU GAME", 38pts

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This is the Legendary Flu Game where MJ rises from his death-bed. It is my opinion that this game can be considered MJ's greatest game ever. The book "MJ's 50 Greatest Games" ranks this at #2. This is the game that signified the core and purity of Michael Jordan. Take away all the circus shots, amazing dunks, hang-time jumpers, acrobatic drives, huge scoring nights etc, and you had what Michael Jordan represented - the unparalleled desire and will to succeed in the most crucial moments and in the most dramatic fashion. The only question left after this game was whether MJ would be the greatest there ever will be.

MJ's sickness left him devoid of energy, food and sleep. During the game, someone mistakenly gave him Gatorlode instead of Gatorade which made things even worse since Gatorlode is a post-activity drink. But the Bulls needed this game since the series was tied 2-2 and losing this game meant they would have to go to 7 games to win the title. This was unacceptable to MJ. Also, that year's "MVP-trohy borrower" Karl Malone had to be defeated.

Going 13-27 (modest by MJ's standards) and at times, about to pass out, MJ stuck through and came up with the clutch FT, clutch rebound and of course, the famous clutch trey-winner. Is it possible to have more drama? MJ stated that he still has trouble remembering the whole game because of his condition. He said, "I almost died playing that game." The greatest, as always, MJ.

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: August 16, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Author: hoopsencyclopedia

Length: 00:06:23
Rating: 4.91
Views: 400029

Tags: Michael Jordan Finals Greatest Flu Game Jazz Kobe Bryant Lebron James Lakers Bulls Shaq Dwyane Wade Vince Carter Tmac AI

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numbing numbered numerous Comments:
uhjinlee (December 2, 2008 at 6:27 pm)
wow...Jordan is just Amazing...the Greatest Player to ever touch the basketball peiod.
bladeqw5 (November 30, 2008 at 2:20 pm)
95% of the time he shots
Derockis (November 29, 2008 at 8:21 pm)
The G.O.A.T - without question, the greatest baller we'll ever see.
acotytamwiesz (November 29, 2008 at 1:02 pm)
the story with the flu is unnecessary and fugazy. This is pro sport and I do not give a shit whether he is sick or not. To put it simple: if he is sick than he is out of the game; and if he plays, it means that he is not sick. EOT
fragan01 (November 24, 2008 at 9:01 pm)
Jordan forever.
chaodck (November 20, 2008 at 7:27 am)
2 reasons:
Utah in that time played a "double-team zone" meaning that when they double teamed the nearest defender would cover the top of the arch, in this case Stockton. He got late.
Also, MJ's three point shooting has always been underrated by defenders and the media, so Russell felt that Pippen in the post against Hornacek was more of a threat than MJ in the three, which is in theory is true, but MJ proved them wrong (as always...).
chaodck (November 20, 2008 at 7:25 am)
2 reasons:
Utah in that time played a "double-team zone" meaning that when they double teamed the nearest defender would cover the top of the arch, in this case Stockton. He got late.
Also, MJ's three point shooting has always been underrated by defenders and the media, so Russell felt that Pippen in the post against Hornacek was more of a threat than MJ in the three, which is in theory is true, but MJ proved them wrong (as always...).
ClarenceMurphy (November 19, 2008 at 2:21 am)
I think this shows that the body can be worked through major extremes if you only push yourself..ALL HAIL THE GOAT!!
vidaa22 (November 19, 2008 at 1:12 am)
Ok let's see. It's the NBA finals, he has the flu, critical game, he scores 38 and the eventual game winner. Hmmm yeah i'd say this guy is pretty good. I remember one time i played with the flu in a pickup game. I was on fire, in a zone. I guess it does heighten your senses. My team still lost though, lol. I felt like Mike that day.
TRYMEYRMOMDID (November 18, 2008 at 7:39 am)
this performance was just amazing,jordan just didnt want to give up and pushed himself to the brink to make sure chicago won this critical game!!kobe bryant wud never ever do anything like this in the finals,just take this years for instance the prick didnt even have one single game scoring over 30 points,la blew a 28 point lead in game 5 and got embarssed to fuck by 39 in game 6!!mj wud never let anything that bad happen to his team in the finals,kobe is a boll hog tosser and always wll be!!