1998 NBA Finals

1998 basketball championship series February 2024 1998 NBA Finals.jpg NBA 1998 Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson 4 Utah Jazz Jerry Sloan 2 June 3–14 Michael Jordan(Chicago Bulls) Bulls:Michael Jordan (2009)Toni Kukoc (2021)Scottie Pippen (2010)Dennis Rodman (2011)Jazz:Karl Malone (2010)John Stockton (2009)Coaches:Phil Jackson (2007)Jerry Sloan (2009)Tex Winter (2011)Officials:Dick Bavetta (2015)Danny Crawford (2025)Hugh Evans (2022) Bulls defeated Pacers, 4–3 Jazz defeated Lakers, 4–0 The 1998 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1997–98 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The two-time defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls played against the Western Conference champion Utah Jazz, with the Jazz holding home-court advantage for the first 2 games in Salt Lake City. In a repeat of the previous year's Finals, the Bulls defeated the Jazz in six games for their third consecutive NBA title and their sixth in eight seasons. Michael Jordan was voted the NBA Finals MVP of the series (he also had won the award the last five times the Bulls won the Finals: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997). This would be his sixth NBA championship and sixth Finals MVP award in six full basketball seasons. This would be his final season of winning the NBA championship and Finals MVP. Until 2021 this would be the last finals not to feature a team from California, Florida, or Texas. The 1998 Finals garnered the highest Nielsen TV ratings in NBA history at 18.7, and even surpassed the Nielsen ratings for the 1998 World Series, marking the first time the NBA had a higher rating in its championship round than of Major League Baseball's championship round. The Bulls headed into the series as the underdogs. Bulls' small forward Scottie Pippen stated, "It's a different feeling. We’ve never been in this situation where we’ve sort of been written off. It’s a great feeling being the underdog because you want to go out now and prove everybody wrong."Terry Armour https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-utah-jazz-underdogs-20200516-7zuyrgs6rnfnzg3exn7lfaxwi4-story.html Chicago Bulls head into the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz as underdogs: 'You want to go out now and prove everybody wrong' Chicago Tribune June 3, 1998 October 20, 2021 As of , this is Chicago's most recent championship and Finals appearance, and they currently hold the longest Finals appearance drought of the Central Division teams. Background Entering the 1997–98, this was widely expected to be the last season of the Chicago Bulls core of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson. In training camp, Phil Jackson wrote on the chalk board and named the season "The Last Dance".Stein Marc 2020-04-22 Why Phil Jackson Needs ‘The Last Dance’ (Published 2020) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/sports/basketball/phil-jackson-michael-jordan-last-danc.html https://web.archive.org/web/20230523223329/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/sports/basketball/phil-jackson-michael-jordan-last-danc.html 2023-05-23 2025-12-20 en-US A point of contention for the Bulls was Scottie's contract status.Quinn Sam 2020-05-17 Scottie Pippen contract explained: How the Bulls managed to sign Hall of Famer for pennies on the dollar https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/scottie-pippen-contract-explained-how-the-bulls-managed-to-sign-hall-of-famer-for-pennies-on-the-dollar/ 2026-06-22 CBS Sports Pippen had purposefully delayed off-season surgery so that his summer off-season would not be complicated by rehab, pushing his unavailability well into the regular season.Armstrong Megan Scottie Pippen on Delaying Surgery in 1997: 'I'm Not Gonna F--k My Summer Up' https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887502-scottie-pippen-on-delaying-surgery-in-1997-im-not-gonna-f-k-my-summer-up 2026-06-22 bleacherreport.com In addition to this increasing the load on Jordan to drive the team towards a potential final championship together, it stirred an active effort by Bulls general manager Jerry Krause to trade Pippen, who responded in turn with his own trade demand and rancorous sit-out that extended well beyond his return to playing condition.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzMizNykDWI Tracy McGrady: I was VERY close to being traded for Scottie Pippen on 1997 draft night The Jump 2020-04-20 ESPN 2026-06-22 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf4SfNcFs1E Who Nixed The Tracy McGrady-For-Scottie Pippen Trade? 05/11/22 2022-05-11 Dan Patrick Show 2026-06-22 YouTube In spite of this, Pippen ultimately rejoined the team, playing only 44 games on the season.Scottie Pippen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pippesc01.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.com In the playoffs, the Jazz were pushed to the brink by the Houston Rockets before winning Game 5 in Utah, and then overcame Rookie of the Year Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs 4–1. They then swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals. The Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets and then took out the Charlotte Hornets in five, but it took seven games to overcome the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.1997-98 Utah Jazz Schedule https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1998_games.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.com en1997-98 Chicago Bulls Schedule https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1998_games.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z716Ir4TxtA Pacers @ Bulls 1998 ECF Deciding Game 7 Highlights (NBA On NBC) 2024-08-21 MDBBall 2026-06-22 YouTube The series marked the first time since 1989 that the same two teams met in the Finals in consecutive years. The Jazz earned the league's best record by virtue of sweeping the two-game regular season series with the Bulls despite both teams finishing at 62 wins.Hauser Jeff 2026-05-18 10,170 days: Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals is a generational NBA Playoff series https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/10-170-days-spurs-vs-141107997.html 2026-05-19 YahooSports.com By 1998, the Finals logo was now embroidered on the Finals participants' jerseys, instead of the Larry O'Brien trophy patch as seen from 1996 and 1997.2025-06-26 NBA Finals Patch Guide (1990s–Now) — Read This Before You Add One to Your Jersey - Hoop Jersey Store https://hoopjersey.com/blogs/nba-jersey-wiki/nba-finals-patch-guide-1990s-now-read-this-before-you-add-one-to-your-jersey/ 2026-06-22 hoopjersey.com Road to the Finals 1998 NBA playoffs Utah Jazz (Western Conference champion) Chicago Bulls (Eastern Conference champion)UTAFirst seed in the West, best league recordRegular seasonCHIFirst seed in the East, second-best league recordDefeated the (8) Houston Rockets, 3–2First roundDefeated the (8) New Jersey Nets, 3–0Defeated the (5) San Antonio Spurs, 4–1Conference semifinalsDefeated the (4) Charlotte Hornets, 4–1Defeated the (3) Los Angeles Lakers, 4–0Conference finalsDefeated the (3) Indiana Pacers, 4–3 Regular season series The Utah Jazz won both games in the regular season series: #fff January 25, 1998 Utah Jazz 101 Chicago Bulls 94 United Center, Chicago, Illinois February 4, 1998 Chicago Bulls 93 Utah Jazz 101 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UtahThe Jazz were the only Western Conference team to beat the Bulls in a season twice since Jordan came back from his second retirement.2026-06-22 Jordan Record Against Western Conference Teams By Year https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/jordan-record-against-western-conference-teams-by-year 2026-06-22 StatMuse en 1998 NBA Finals rosters Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls 1997–98 22 Keith Booth SF 6 6 226 Maryland 1974–10–09 1 Randy Brown basketball PG 6 2 190 New Mexico State 1968–05–22 30 Jud Buechler SF 6 6 220 Arizona 1968–06–19 24 Scott Burrell SF 6 7 218 Connecticut 1971–01–12 9 Ron Harper PG 6 6 185 Miami (OH) 1964–01–20 23 Michael Jordan SG 6 6 215 North Carolina 1963–02–17 25 Steve Kerr PG 6 3 175 Arizona 1965–09–27 53 Joe Kleine C 6 11 255 Arkansas 1962–01–04 7 Toni Kukoč SF 6 10 192 Croatia 1968–09–18 5 Rusty LaRue PG 6 2 210 Wake Forest 1973–12–10 13 Luc Longley C 7 2 265 New Mexico 1969–01–19 33 Scottie Pippen SF 6 8 220 Central Arkansas 1965–09–25 91 Dennis Rodman PF 6 8 210 Southeastern Oklahoma State 1961–05–13 34 Bill Wennington C 7 0 245 St. John's 1963–04–26 Phil Jackson Bill Cartwright Frank Hamblen Jim Rodgers Tex Winter https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1998.html Utah Jazz Utah Jazz 1997–98 #3C2F88 #FFFFFF #007A8C #FFFFFF 40 Shandon Anderson SG 6 6 208 Georgia 1973–12–31 55 Antoine Carr PF 6 9 225 Wichita State 1961–07–23 10 Howard Eisley PG 6 2 177 Boston College 1972–12–04 44 Greg Foster basketball C 6 11 240 UTEP 1968–10–03 14 Jeff Hornacek SG 6 3 190 Iowa State 1963–05–03 25 Troy Hudson PG 6 1 170 Southern Illinois 1976–03–13 31 Adam Keefe basketball SF 6 9 230 Stanford 1970–02–22 32 Karl Malone PF 6 9 250 Louisiana Tech 1963–07–24 34 Chris Morris basketball SF 6 8 210 Auburn 1966–01–20 00 Greg Ostertag C 7 2 280 Kansas 1973–03–06 3 Bryon Russell SF 6 7 225 Long Beach State 1970–12–31 12 John Stockton PG 6 1 170 Gonzaga 1962–03–26 11 Jacque Vaughn PG 6 1 190 Kansas 1975–02–11 Jerry Sloan Gordon Chiesa David Fredman Phil Johnson Kenny Natt https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1998.html Series summary Game Date Road team Result Home team Game 1 June 3 Chicago Bulls 85–88 (OT) (0–1) Utah Jazz Game 2 June 5 Chicago Bulls 93–88 (1–1) Utah Jazz Game 3 June 7 Utah Jazz 54–96 (1–2) Chicago Bulls Game 4 June 10 Utah Jazz 82–86 (1–3) Chicago Bulls Game 5 June 12 Utah Jazz 83–81 (2–3) Chicago Bulls Game 6 June 14 Chicago Bulls 87–86 (4–2) Utah Jazz Bulls win the series 4–2. Game 1 #eee June 3 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah NBC Chicago Bulls 85 Utah Jazz 88 OT Boxscore 17–17 23–28 19–22 20–12 6–9 Michael Jordan 33 John Stockton 24 Pippen, Longley 8 Karl Malone 14 Steve Kerr 5 John Stockton 8 19,911 Ron Garretson Steve Javie Bennett Salvatore Utah leads the series, 1–0 Game 2 #eee June 5 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah NBC Chicago Bulls 93 Utah Jazz 88 Boxscore 23–20 27–26 20–27 23–15 Michael Jordan 37 Jeff Hornacek 20 Kukoč, Rodman 9 Karl Malone 12 Scottie Pippen 4 John Stockton 7 19,911 Danny Crawford Joe Crawford Bill Oakes Series tied, 1–1 Game 3 #eee June 7 United Center, Chicago, Illinois NBC Utah Jazz 54 Chicago Bulls 96 Boxscore 14–17 17–32 14–23 9–24 Karl Malone 22 Michael Jordan 24 Greg Ostertag 9 Ron Harper 10 John Stockton 7 Ron Harper 7 23,844 Dick Bavetta Hue Hollins Ronnie Nunn Chicago leads series, 2–1 Game 4 #eee June 10 United Center, Chicago, Illinois NBC Utah Jazz 82 Chicago Bulls 86 Boxscore 19–21 18–18 20–22 25–25 Karl Malone 21 Michael Jordan 34 Karl Malone 14 Dennis Rodman 14 John Stockton 13 Scottie Pippen 5 23,844 Hugh Evans Steve Javie Jack Nies Chicago leads series, 3–1Crowd: 24,000 at United Center (sellout) Game 5 #eee June 12 United Center, Chicago, Illinois NBC Utah Jazz 83 Chicago Bulls 81 Boxscore 16–18 14–18 29–19 24–26 Karl Malone 39 Toni Kukoč 30 Karl Malone 9 Scottie Pippen 11 John Stockton 12 Scottie Pippen 11 23,844 Joe Crawford Bill Oakes Bennett Salvatore Chicago leads series, 3–2 To date, this is the most recent NBA Finals game played in Chicago. Game 6 #eee June 14 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah NBC Chicago Bulls 87 Utah Jazz 86 Boxscore 22–25 23–24 16–17 26–20 Michael Jordan 45 Karl Malone 31 Dennis Rodman 8 Karl Malone 11 Kukoč, Pippen 4 Karl Malone 7 19,911 Dick Bavetta Danny Crawford Hue Hollins Chicago wins NBA Finals, 4–2 92fLApYaCGI Full game broadcast by NBC To date, this is the most recent NBA Finals game played in Salt Lake City. Game summaries Games 1 and 2 Unlike the 1997 Finals, the Jazz and Bulls entered this series as equals. The Jazz had won both regular season meetings with the Bulls, and many analysts predicted a hard-fought seven-game series. The two teams entered the Finals on completely different notes; the Jazz uneventfully swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals and had a total of ten days' rest before the Finals began. The Bulls, meanwhile, endured a hard-fought series against a resurgent Indiana Pacers team helmed by Larry Bird (in his first year as head coach). They would need all seven games to get past the Pacers and would have only two days' rest before having to travel to Utah. Predictions of a Jazz championship were strengthened with their 88–85 Game 1 victory in overtime in Utah, with Scottie Pippen just missing a 3-pointer at the buzzer. True to form, the Bulls tied the series in Game 2 while putting together a huge fourth-quarter run to silence the Delta Center and holding on to win 93–88, finally securing their first victory against Utah all season. Karl Malone shot very poorly in the first two games of the series with some misses including one layup in Game 2 that hit the underside of the rim.1998 NBA Finals Game 1: Bulls vs Jazz, June 3, 1998 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199806030UTA.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.com1998 NBA Finals Game 2: Bulls vs Jazz, June 5, 1998 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199806050UTA.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.com Games 3–5 The Finals moved to Chicago with control of the series at stake in Game 3. In a 96–54 loss, the Jazz set the record for the 42-point loss in Finals history and were hammered by the media for the score, as well as the lowest number of points scored in any NBA game (since eclipsed by a score of 49 from the Bulls on April 10, 1999) since the inception of the shot clock. Every player on the Bulls roster scored at least once, with the Bulls' last-remaining scoreless player, backup center Bill Wennington, nailing his bucket with only 5.2 seconds remaining in the game.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gicBjkeYjGw&t=1548s Bulls x Jazz 1998 Finals Game 3 YouTube Chicago won Game 4 in a close game, 86–82, and Utah took Game 5 83–81 despite nearly blowing a seven-point lead in the last two minutes. Karl Malone had his best game of the series with 39 points, while Antoine Carr made all five of his field goal attempts. The series returned to Utah with the Bulls leading 3–2. Game 6 - "The Last Shot" Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals 92fLApYaCGI Full game broadcast by NBC As the Bulls arrived at Delta Center for Game 6, they had to face a significant challenge. Scottie Pippen, whose back was already injured going into the game, aggravated his injury when he dunked the opening basket of the game. He scored only 8 points the whole game. To keep pace with Utah, the Bulls were forced to rely almost entirely on Michael Jordan, who scored 23 points in the first half. Emotions ran high at the Delta Center when the Jazz suffered a critical shot clock violation in the second quarter. Referee Dick Bavetta ruled that Howard Eisley did not get a successful 3-point shot off in time, although TV replays showed that the ball was out of Eisley's hands just before the shot clock hit zero. Later in the fourth quarter, Jordan's two free throws tied the game with only a minute left. The Jazz received some relief as John Stockton hit a three-pointer with 41.9 seconds left to give Utah an 86–83 lead and sent the Delta Center into a frenzy. After Jordan made a layup to make it 86–85, the Bulls needed to stop the Jazz from scoring again. When John Stockton passed the ball to Karl Malone, Jordan stole the ball away and dribbled down the court. Guarding him was Bryon Russell, one of the Jazz's best defenders. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off on Russell as he did so.https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=57515784&itype=cmsid Luhm: Bryon Russell still asked about Jordan's push, game-winner Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune June 29, 2026 Now wide open, Jordan buried a 20-foot jumper to give the Bulls an 87–86 lead with 5.2 seconds remaining.Kerber, Fred. Former NBA Ref Blasts Officiating https://web.archive.org/web/20121023065522/http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_KNZREOLkuJgmjBinLODwSK;jsessionid=A7E129E3F58985B453F7B691AA52CCEB October 23, 2012 , New York Post, August 17, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2008.Knott, Tom. "Someone has to win Eastern Conference", The Washington Times, December 8, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2008.Deveney, Sean.http://www.sportingnews.com/exclusives/20050314/607149.html Crying Foul April 29, 2007 bot: unknown https://web.archive.org/web/20070313185001/http://www.sportingnews.com/exclusives/20050314/607149.html March 13, 2007 , sportingnews.com, March 14, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007. After a time-out, Stockton missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer, giving the Bulls their sixth NBA title in eight years. Jordan, who scored 45 points, and whose game-winning shot has been immortalized around the world, was named Finals MVP for the sixth time.1998 NBA Finals Game 6: Bulls vs Jazz, June 14, 1998 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199806140UTA.html 2026-06-22 Basketball-Reference.com Player statistics Chicago Bulls |- | align="left" | Randy Brown basketball || 2 || 0 || 3.5 || .333 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 1.0 |- | align="left" | Jud Buechler || 6 || 0 || 5.2 || .600 || .667 || .000 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 1.3 |- | align="left" | Scott Burrell || 6 || 0 || 14.0 || .409 || .250 || .667 || 2.5 || 0.0 || 1.2 || 0.0 || 3.5 |- | align="left" | Ron Harper || 6 || 6 || 28.7 || .364 || .167 || .583 || 4.5 || 2.8 || 1.5 || 0.7 || 5.3 |-! style="background:#FDE910;" | align="left" | Michael Jordan || 6 || 6 || 41.7 || .427 || .308 || .814 || 4.0 || 2.3 || 1.8 || 0.7 || 33.5 |- | align="left" | Steve Kerr || 6 || 0 || 20.7 || .350 || .385 || 1.000 || 0.3 || 2.5 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 3.8 |- | align="left" | Toni Kukoč || 6 || 6 || 37.0 || .500 || .304 || .615 || 4.7 || 2.7 || 1.2 || 0.7 || 15.2 |- | align="left" | Luc Longley || 6 || 6 || 21.7 || .444 || .000 || .750 || 4.8 || 1.5 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 5.0 |- | align="left" | Scottie Pippen || 6 || 6 || 39.5 || .410 || .231 || .833 || 6.8 || 4.8 || 1.7 || 0.8 || 15.7 |- | align="left" | Dennis Rodman || 6 || 0 || 30.5 || .462 || .000 || .667 || 8.3 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 3.3 |- | align="left" | Bill Wennington || 3 || 0 || 4.3 || .400 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 1.3 Utah Jazz |- | align="left" | Shandon Anderson || 6 || 0 || 21.0 || .500 || .333 || .818 || 2.7 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 7.3 |- | align="left" | Antoine Carr || 6 || 0 || 14.3 || .500 || .000 || .750 || 2.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 4.2 |- | align="left" | Howard Eisley || 6 || 0 || 17.5 || .375 || .143 || 1.000 || 2.0 || 3.8 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 4.7 |- | align="left" | Greg Foster basketball || 6 || 2 || 10.5 || .267 || .000 || .000 || 2.3 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 0.3 || 1.3 |- | align="left" | Jeff Hornacek || 6 || 6 || 34.2 || .411 || .333 || .833 || 2.7 || 2.7 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 10.7 |- | align="left" | Adam Keefe basketball || 5 || 3 || 12.0 || .429 || .000 || .500 || 3.4 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 2.8 |- | align="left" | Karl Malone || 6 || 6 || 40.5 || .504 || .000 || .789 || 10.5 || 3.8 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 25.0 |- | align="left" | Chris Morris basketball || 6 || 0 || 17.5 || .393 || .000 || .667 || 2.5 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 4.3 |- | align="left" | Greg Ostertag || 5 || 1 || 11.0 || .417 || .000 || 1.000 || 3.2 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 2.2 |- | align="left" | Bryon Russell || 6 || 6 || 36.0 || .409 || .286 || .688 || 5.0 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 0.2 || 8.8 |- | align="left" | John Stockton || 6 || 6 || 32.3 || .490 || .222 || .727 || 2.5 || 8.7 || 2.0 || 0.0 || 9.7 |- | align="left" | Jacque Vaughn || 1 || 0 || 7.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 2.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 Media coverage The Finals were televised in the United States by NBC (including for the second straight year WMAQ-TV in Chicago and KSL-TV in Salt Lake City), with Bob Costas on play-by-play and Doug Collins and Isiah Thomas serving as color analysts. Hannah Storm hosted the pre-game show, assisted by Bill Walton, John Salley and Peter Vescey, and Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray reported from the sidelines. This was the first time since NBC took over the broadcasting rights to the NBA Finals in 1991 that Marv Albert was not the play by play commentator. He was fired from NBC on September 25, 1997, for sexually assaulting a woman.Sandomir Richard 1997-09-26 TV SPORTS; Albert Lost His Case, His Job and His Dream https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/sports/tv-sports-albert-lost-his-case-his-job-and-his-dream.html 2026-06-22 The New York Times 0362-4331 Legacy and aftermath World Championship Wrestling would capitalize on the animosity following the Finals between Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone, as on July 12, 1998, Rodman and Hollywood Hogan would defeat Malone and Diamond Dallas Page in a tag team match at Bash at the Beach.In 1998, Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman did battle. In a pro wrestling ring. https://www.denverpost.com/2018/07/12/karl-malone-dennis-rodman-wcw-bash-at-the-beach/ The Denver Post May 1, 2023 July 12, 2018 2024 04 As of the 2024–25 season, this series remains the last Finals appearances for both the Bulls and Jazz. After the season, the Bulls dynasty broke up. Without its key personnel, the Bulls missed the playoffs in the lockout-shortened 1999 season, winning just 13 of 50 games; the Bulls would later go on to win the draft lottery and select Elton Brand as the first overall pick in that season's draft, making them the only team to win the draft lottery after winning an NBA championship in the previous season. The Bulls would not make the postseason again until 2005. Both teams have made just one Conference Finals appearance since this Finals, with the Jazz qualifying in 2007, losing to the San Antonio Spurs, and the Bulls qualifying in 2011 under MVP Derrick Rose, losing to the Miami Heat. Phil Jackson declined an offer from the team president to coach another season.The head Bull rides off into the sunset http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/06/22/jackson_update/ https://web.archive.org/web/20010708131953/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/06/22/jackson_update/ dead July 8, 2001 CNN.com Associated Press July 9, 2011 June 22, 1998 He would come back as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999, winning five NBA titles in two separate stints with the team before retiring in 2011. This would give Jackson 11 NBA Titles, the most for a coach in the history of the four major American sports leagues. Ron Harper followed Jackson to the Lakers and won championships during his final two seasons in 2000 and 2001 (other Bulls dynasty alum were on those teams, such as John Salley and Horace Grant). On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan announced his retirement for the second time;Wise Mike As Jordan Retires, Legend Swells http://partners.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/011399bkn-jordan.html June 20, 2011 The New York Times January 13, 1999 https://web.archive.org/web/20110612014930/http://partners.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/011399bkn-jordan.html June 12, 2011 live he would come out of retirement for the second and final time in 2001 with the Washington Wizards and played two seasons with the team. However, neither season ended with a playoff appearance.Report: Michael Jordan To Come Back https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-michael-jordan-to-come-back/ CBSNews.com Associated Press June 20, 2011 September 10, 2001Jordan finishes with 15 points in final NBA game http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=230416020 https://web.archive.org/web/20121106230542/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=230416020 dead November 6, 2012 ESPN.com Associated Press June 20, 2011 April 16, 2003 Scottie Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets during the offseason and played his last season (2003–04) with the Bulls and also played for the Portland Trail Blazers. Dennis Rodman, released by the Bulls in the offseason, signed with the Lakers mid-season, playing only 23 games before being released. In January 1999, the Bulls re-signed Steve Kerr and traded him to the San Antonio Spurs,Deals, deals, deals: Spree and McDyess return, but Gugliotta still looking http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1999/01/22/roundup_nbasignings/ https://archive.today/20120718055314/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1999/01/22/roundup_nbasignings/ dead July 18, 2012 CNN/SI Associated Press June 21, 2011 January 22, 1999 where he would win two more championships in 1999 and 2003, his last year in the NBA.Kerr leaves as NBA's most accurate 3-point shooter https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=1592318 ESPN.com Associated Press June 21, 2011 August 7, 2003 After turning down Phil Jackson's offer to coach the New York Knicks (Jackson was the president of basketball operations of the team),O'Connor Ian 2014-04-22 Careful what you wish for, Steve Kerr https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10817047/specter-phil-jackson 2026-02-06 ESPN.com en 2014-05-15 Steve Kerr takes Warriors' job https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10933515/steve-kerr-accepts-golden-state-warriors-coaching-position 2026-02-06 ESPN.com en Kerr would go on to win four championships as head coach of the Golden State Warriors in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr Becomes Winningest Coach in Franchise History https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-head-coach-steve-kerr-becomes-winningest-coach-in-franchise-history-20250315 2026-02-06 Nba.com en Both Pippen and Kerr played opposite of former coach Phil Jackson's Lakers in multiple playoff series in the early 2000s.Playoffs 2000:Gamesmanship begins three days before series https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs00/s/2000/0518/538510.html 2026-02-06 Espn.comVillanueva Virgil 2025-12-06 "I thought it was more his offense than his defense" - Phil Jackson was surprised that Pippen became an offensive player for the Blazers https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/thought-more-offense-defense-phil-195800045.html 2026-02-06 Yahoo Sports en-USSTEWART LARRY 2004-05-14 Kerr's Joy Tinged by Sadness https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-may-14-sp-tvcol14-story.html 2026-02-06 Los Angeles Times en-US John Stockton and Karl Malone led the Jazz to playoff appearances each season through 2003, however each season featured a loss in the first or second round. During the 2003 off-season, Stockton retired and Malone joined the Los Angeles Lakers. Malone returned to the NBA Finals in 2004 where he would lose to the Detroit Pistons in 5 games. Jerry Sloan would coach the Jazz until his retirement in 2011. The Jazz were the last non California or Texas Western Conference NBA Finals team until the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder, a span of 13 years.Almanza Clemente On this day: Thunder made 2012 NBA Finals by winning Western Conference finals https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2022/06/06/on-this-day-thunder-made-2012-nba-finals-by-winning-western-conference-finals/77343647007/ 2026-06-22 OKC Thunder Wire Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ game worn jersey sold for $10,091,000 in 2022, a record for an NBA jersey.Jordan 'Last Dance' jersey sells for record $10.1M https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34598807/michael-jordan-last-dance-jersey-1998-nba-finals-sells-record-101-million-auction ESPN.com 6 May 2025 en 15 September 2022 In popular culture In 2020, The Last Dance was documentary miniseries co-produced by ESPN Films and Netflix; a series that revolved around Michael Jordan's career, with particular focus on the 1997–98 season, his final season with the Chicago Bulls. The series was met with critical acclaim, with praise for its directing and editing, and also for the timing of the release - during the initial weeks of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic when viewers were struggling to find entertainment.May 19, 2020 'The Last Dance' - The untold story of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28973557/the-last-dance-updates-untold-story-michael-jordan-chicago-bulls%3fplatform=ampApril 14, 2020 ESPN's New Michael Jordan Documentary Is Exactly What We Need Right Now. Here's How They Made It https://time.com/5820473/michael-jordan-the-last-dance-espn/ The Last Dance won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. Additionally, a cinematic presentation of Game 6 was released by ESPN after the final episode.Casselberry Ian 2020-05-18 ESPN's 'Game 6: The Movie' will show new presentation of 1998 NBA Finals clincher, Michael Jordan's final championship https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-game-6-movie-new-presentation-1998-nba-finals-clincher-michael-jordan-final-championship.html 2025-12-20 Awful Announcing en-UShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyJ6GyC4Yng Cinematic View of Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals - FULL GAME 4K HDR 2024-08-30 PSV4K 2025-12-20 YouTube See also 1998 NBA playoffs The Last Shot The Last Dance References External links From NBA official site 1998 Playoff Results 1998 NBA Finals Recap https://web.archive.org/web/19990117033600/http://www.nba.com/finals98/index.html January 17, 1999 Official Website on NBA.com Michael Jordan's Shot in Game 6 Other sites on the internet 1998 NBA Finals Summary and Linescores Greatest Finals Moments Former NBA official's take on Jordan's series-winning shot Jordan's iconic final shot as a Bull requires a deep rewind May 8, 2018 SB Nation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyBLgr6uBas https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/JyBLgr6uBas December 13, 2021 live YouTube Category:NBA Finals Finals Category:Basketball competitions in Salt Lake City NBA Finals Category:1998 in Chicago Category:1990s in Salt Lake City NBA Finals NBA Finals Category:June 1998 sports events in the United States Category:Basketball competitions in Chicago Category:1998 in sports in Illinois Category:Events at United Center