4. 1997 – Chicago Bulls over Utah Jazz (4-2)
I went back and forth on whether 1997 was better than 1998, but both are iconic series in their own right. Watching it back, I actually couldn’t believe the Jazz didn’t win the series, they had every opportunity you could want and completely blew it.
It’s a tough series to watch if you’re a Karl Malone fan, which is probably not very many people. During Game 1 in Chicago, Malone went to the free-throw line with a chance to take the lead with under 10 seconds to play, but missed both free throws after Pippen famously yelled “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays, Karl!”
Even after blowing the first game, the Jazz still got it to 2-2 but lost a game 5 at home during MJ’s famous “flu game.” It was another game where Malone completely disappeared down the stretch. I kept notes for every game I watched, and the notes for this game, and really the entire series, are about how Malone looked allergic to the ball in the fourth quarter. It happened over and over again.
Game 6 is remembered for Steve Kerr’s series-clinching jumper, but it should also be remembered for Shannon Anderson’s two missed layups down the stretch of the game. All in all, I’d imagine this is a horrible series for Jazz fans to watch and one that Karl Malone is probably petitioning to have removed from the internet.