From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Bulls' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association. [1] The Bulls entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions, and in the Finals, they met the Utah Jazz in a rematch from the prior year's NBA Finals and just like that year, they would go on to defeat the Jazz in six games to win their sixth championship in eight years and complete the franchise's second "3-peat".

1997–98  Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach Phil Jackson
General manager Jerry Krause
Owners Jerry Reinsdorf
Arena United Center
Results
Record62–20 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st ( Central)
Conference: 1st ( Eastern)
Playoff finish NBA Champions
(Defeated Jazz 4–2)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television WGN-TV
SportsChannel/Fox Sports Chicago
Radio WMVP
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Scott Burrell from the Golden State Warriors, [2] [3] [4] and signed free agent Joe Kleine. [5] However, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen would miss the first half of the season due to an injured toe on his left foot sustained from the 1997 NBA Playoffs. [6] [7] [8] [9] Without Pippen, the Bulls started with a slow 9–7 record in November, but then would go on a 15–4 record until he returned in January. However, three-point specialist Steve Kerr went down with a knee injury in January, and played just 50 games. [10] [11] [12] Despite the injuries, the Bulls held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break. [13] At midseason, the team traded Jason Caffey to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for David Vaughn. [14] [15] [16] Vaughn would only play just three games with the Bulls before being waived on March 2. Also in early March, the team re-signed former Bulls reserve forward Dickey Simpkins, who was previously released by the Warriors, and played in the final 21 games of the regular season. [17] Despite the slow start, with the help of Scottie's return which was limited to just 44 games, the Bulls would post a 13-game winning streak between March and April, and still finish first place in the Central Division and Eastern Conference with a 62–20 record. [18] The Bulls had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA. [19]

In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets, 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round, [20] [21] [22] [23] defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, [24] [25] [26] [27] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 78–76, [28] [29] [30] and then defeated the Indiana Pacers, 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advance to the NBA Finals. [31] [32] [33] [34] In the Finals, they met the Utah Jazz in a rematch from the prior year's NBA Finals and just like last year, they would go on to defeat the Jazz in six games to win the championship. The championship was their sixth in eight years and completed the franchise's second "3-peat". [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]

The season also saw Michael Jordan earn his fifth and final NBA Most Valuable Player Award, [40] [41] [42] [43] while being selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, [44] [45] [46] where he also won his third and final All-Star Game MVP Award. [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] He once again led the league in scoring averaging 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team, and also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. [53] In addition, Pippen averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team, and also to the All-Defensive First Team, while finishing in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, [53] and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman once again led the league in rebounding with 15.0 rebounds per game. Toni Kukoč provided the team with 13.3 points per game, playing most of the season as the team's starting small forward in Pippen's absence, while Luc Longley averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Ron Harper contributed 9.3 points and 1.3 steals per game, and Kerr contributed 7.5 points per game off the bench. [54]

This was Jordan's last season as a Bull, as he announced his second retirement after it was over. [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] However, he did make a second comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001. [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] Following the season, Phil Jackson resigned as head coach, [65] [66] [67] [68] while Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets, [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] Rodman left for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, [74] [75] [76] [77] Longley was dealt to the Phoenix Suns, [73] [78] [79] Kerr was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, [80] [73] [81] [82] Burrell signed with the New Jersey Nets, [83] Jud Buechler signed with the Detroit Pistons, [84] and Kleine re-signed with the Suns, his former team.

Because of this dismantling of the team, this was the last season for the Bulls dynasty that had headlined the NBA throughout the 1990s. What followed was a long rebuilding process between 1998 and 2004, and the Bulls did not return to the postseason until 2005.

The story of this season was captured in ESPN's The Last Dance, which aired in April 2020.

Offseason

NBA draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 28 Keith Booth SF  United States Maryland
2 58 Roberto Dueñas C  Spain FC Barcelona ( Spain)

Roster

1997–98 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 22 Booth, Keith 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 226 lb (103 kg) 1974–10–09 Maryland
G 1 Brown, Randy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–05–22 New Mexico State
F 30 Buechler, Jud 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1968–06–19 Arizona
F 24 Burrell, Scott 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1971–01–12 Connecticut
G 9 Harper, Ron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1964–01–20 Miami (OH)
G 23 Jordan, Michael (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1963–02–17 North Carolina
G 25 Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–27 Arizona
C 53 Kleine, Joe 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1962–01–04 Arkansas
F 7 Kukoč, Toni 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1968–09–18 Croatia
G 5 LaRue, Rusty 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–12–10 Wake Forest
C 13 Longley, Luc 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1969–01–19 New Mexico
F 33 Pippen, Scottie (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–09–25 Central Arkansas
F 91 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
F 8 Simpkins, Dickey 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1972–04–06 Providence
C 34 Wennington, Bill 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1963–04–26 St. John's
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 2, 1998

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 37–4 25–16 21–7
x- Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4 32–9 26–15 19–9
x- Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11 32–9 19–22 16–12
x- Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12 29–12 21–20 19–9
x- Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15 27–14 20–21 14–14
Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25 25–16 12–29 12–16
Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26 21–20 15–26 9–19
Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46 9–32 7–34 2–26
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c- Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756
2 y- Miami Heat 55 27 .671 7
3 x- Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4
4 x- Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11
5 x- Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12
6 x- Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15
7 x- New York Knicks 43 39 .524 19
8 x- New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 19
9 Washington Wizards 42 40 .512 20
10 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 21
11 Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25
12 Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 26
12 Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26
14 Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 31
15 Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46

Record vs. opponents

1997–98 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston 1–2 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte 0–4 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto 0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 0–2
Vancouver 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 1–1
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1

Game log

Regular season

1997–98 game log
Total: 62–20 (Home: 37–4; Road: 25–16)
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 31 @ Boston L 85–92 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (9) Harper & Jordan (4) FleetCenter
18,624
0–1
November: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
2 November 1 Philadelphia W 94–74 Ron Harper (17) Dennis Rodman (13) Ron Harper (8) United Center
24,196
1–1
3 November 3 San Antonio W 87–83 (OT) Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (22) Jordan & Harper (4) United Center
23,868
2–1
4 November 5 Orlando W 94–81 Michael Jordan (29) Michael Jordan (17) Steve Kerr (5) United Center
23,809
3–1
5 November 7 @ Atlanta L 78–80 Michael Jordan (27) Jordan & Longley (9) Michael Jordan (6) Georgia Dome
45,790
3–2
6 November 8 New Jersey W 99–86 Steve Kerr (21) Dennis Rodman (12) Toni Kukoč (7) United Center
23,898
4–2
7 November 11 @ Cleveland L 80–101 Michael Jordan (19) Jason Caffey (8) Brown & Kerr (5) Gund Arena
20,562
4–3
8 November 12 Washington L 83–90 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (14) Harper & Longley (5) United Center
23,749
4–4
9 November 14 Charlotte W 105–92 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (14) Michael Jordan (7) United Center
23,894
5–4
10 November 15 Cleveland W 79–70 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (18) Toni Kukoč (7) United Center
23,906
6–4
11 November 20 @ Phoenix L 85–89 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (14) Ron Harper (5) America West Arena
19,023
6–5
12 November 21 @ L.A. Clippers W 111–102 (2OT) Michael Jordan (49) Luc Longley (17) Toni Kukoč (6) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,199
7–5
13 November 23 @ Sacramento W 103–88 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (8) ARCO Arena
17,317
8–5
14 November 25 @ Seattle L 90–91 Toni Kukoč (30) Dennis Rodman (17) Harper & Kukoč (6) KeyArena
17,072
8–6
15 November 28 @ Indiana L 83–94 Michael Jordan (26) Dennis Rodman (11) Toni Kukoč (4) Market Square Arena
16,736
8–7
16 November 29 @ Washington W 88–83 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (17) Ron Harper (7) US Airways Arena
18,756
9–7
December: 11–3 (home: 9–0; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
17 December 3 @ Boston W 97–87 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (11) FleetCenter
18,624
10–7
18 December 5 Milwaukee W 82–64 Toni Kukoč (19) Dennis Rodman (14) Dennis Rodman (5) United Center
24,041
11–7
19 December 9 New York W 100–82 Michael Jordan (29) 3 players tied (9) Harper & Jordan (4) United Center
24,107
12–7
20 December 10 @ Orlando L 98–106 Michael Jordan (25) Dennis Rodman (16) Toni Kukoč (7) Orlando Arena
17,248
12–8
21 December 12 @ Charlotte L 77–79 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (19) Toni Kukoč (7) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042
12–9
22 December 13 Toronto W 97–70 Ron Harper (20) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (6) United Center
23,867
13–9
23 December 15 Phoenix W 111–104 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (21) Brown & Rodman (6) United Center
23,888
14–9
24 December 17 L.A. Lakers W 104–83 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (8) United Center
24,119
15–9
25 December 20 @ New Jersey W 100–92 Michael Jordan (24) Dennis Rodman (24) Dennis Rodman (5) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049
16–9
26 December 23 L.A. Clippers W 94–89 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (25) 3 players tied (4) United Center
23,904
17–9
27 December 25 Miami W 90–80 Michael Jordan (24) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (5) United Center
24,182
18–9
28 December 27 Atlanta W 97–90 Michael Jordan (47) Dennis Rodman (29) Dennis Rodman (5) United Center
24,131
19–9
29 December 29 Dallas W 111–105 Michael Jordan (41) Dennis Rodman (27) Dennis Rodman (8) United Center
23,712
20–9
30 December 30 @ Minnesota L 95–99 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (8) Target Center
20,097
20–10
January: 13–3 (home: 6–1; road: 7–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
31 January 2 Milwaukee W 114–100 Michael Jordan (44) Dennis Rodman (21) Luc Longley (8) United Center
23,897
21–10
32 January 3 @ Detroit W 105–96 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076
22–10
33 January 6 Boston W 90–79 Jordan & Kukoč (19) Dennis Rodman (20) Toni Kukoč (6) United Center
23,804
23–10
34 January 7 @ Miami L 72–99 Michael Jordan (26) Dennis Rodman (17) Brown, Harper (4) Miami Arena
15,200
23–11
35 January 9 @ New York W 90–89 Michael Jordan (44) Luc Longley (10) Luc Longley (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763
24–11
36 January 10 Golden State W 87–82 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center
23,902
25–11
37 January 13 Seattle W 101–91 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (17) Dennis Rodman (6) United Center
24,112
26–11
38 January 15 @ Philadelphia L 96–106 Scottie Pippen (22) Dennis Rodman (20) Harper & Pippen (5) CoreStates Center
21,104
26–12
39 January 16 @ Milwaukee W 96–86 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (12) Luc Longley (5) Bradley Center
18,717
27–12
40 January 18 Houston W 106–100 Michael Jordan (45) Longley & Rodman (5) Scottie Pippen (10) United Center
24,209
28–12
41 January 21 Charlotte W 110–79 Michael Jordan (33) Luc Longley (13) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,967
29–12
42 January 23 @ New Jersey W 100–98 (OT) Michael Jordan (32) Scottie Pippen (7) Kukoč & Pippen (9) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049
30–12
43 January 25 Utah L 94–101 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (10) United Center
24,361
30–13
44 January 27 @ Vancouver W 103–85 Scottie Pippen (29) Dennis Rodman (22) Pippen & Rodman (6) General Motors Place
19,193
31–13
45 January 29 @ Portland W 100–87 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (20) Longley & Pippen (8) Rose Garden
21,538
32–13
46 January 30 @ Golden State W 87–80 Scottie Pippen (22) Dennis Rodman (22) Scottie Pippen (4) The Arena in Oakland
19,804
33–13
February: 10–3 (home: 6–1; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
47 February 1 @ L.A. Lakers L 87–112 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (15) Brown & Pippen (5) Great Western Forum
17,505
33–14
48 February 2 @ Denver W 111–72 Scott Burrell (24) Dennis Rodman (16) Buechler & Caffey (4) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171
34–14
49 February 4 @ Utah L 93–101 Michael Jordan (40) Luc Longley (11) Dennis Rodman (4) Delta Center
19,911
34–15
All-Star Break
50 February 10 Toronto W 93–86 Toni Kukoč (21) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center
23,881
35–15
51 February 11 @ Charlotte W 92–90 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (11) 3 players tied (6) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042
36–15
52 February 13 Atlanta W 112–110 Michael Jordan (37) Michael Jordan (7) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
24,207
37–15
53 February 15 Detroit W 99–90 Toni Kukoč (22) Michael Jordan (12) Jordan & Pippen (5) United Center
24,139
38–15
54 February 17 Indiana W 105–97 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (13) Michael Jordan (6) United Center
24,131
39–15
55 February 19 @ Toronto W 123–86 Scottie Pippen (22) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (6) SkyDome
30,172
40–15
56 February 21 @ Washington W 94–88 Scottie Pippen (23) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (5) MCI Center
20,674
41–15
57 February 23 Cleveland W 97–75 Michael Jordan (17) Ron Harper (10) Brown & Kukoč (7) United Center
23,902
42–15
58 February 25 Portland L 101–106 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (14) Kukoč & Pippen (6) United Center
23,821
42–16
59 February 28 Sacramento W 109–94 Scottie Pippen (29) Dennis Rodman (18) Pippen & Rodman (6) United Center
23,914
43–16
March: 13–1 (home: 6–0; road: 7–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
60 March 3 Denver W 118–90 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (10) United Center
23,810
44–16
61 March 8 @ New York W 102–89 Michael Jordan (42) Dennis Rodman (20) Jordan & Pippen (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763
45–16
62 March 10 Miami W 106–91 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (10) Kukoč & Pippen (8) United Center
24,102
46–16
63 March 12 @ Dallas L 97–104 (OT) Michael Jordan (26) Dennis Rodman (22) Toni Kukoč (6) Reunion Arena
18,255
46–17
64 March 14 @ San Antonio W 96–86 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (5) Alamodome
37,492
47–17
65 March 16 New Jersey W 88–72 Toni Kukoč (21) Dennis Rodman (16) Kukoč & Rodman (5) United Center
23,908
48–17
66 March 17 @ Indiana W 90–84 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (5) Market Square Arena
16,729
49–17
67 March 20 Vancouver W 98–92 Michael Jordan (24) Toni Kukoč (11) Ron Harper (4) United Center
24,023
50–17
68 March 22 @ Toronto W 102–100 Jordan & Pippen (33) Dennis Rodman (18) 3 players tied (5) SkyDome
33,216
51–17
69 March 23 Boston W 111–88 Scottie Pippen (27) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (10) United Center
23,944
52–17
70 March 25 @ Orlando W 85–70 Scottie Pippen (23) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (8) Orlando Arena
17,248
53–17
71 March 27 @ Atlanta W 89–74 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (15) Ron Harper (6) Georgia Dome
62,046
54–17
72 March 29 @ Milwaukee W 104–87 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (8) Bradley Center
18,717
55–17
73 March 31 Detroit W 106–101 (OT) Scottie Pippen (27) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (8) United Center
23,942
56–17
April: 6–3 (home: 4–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
74 April 3 Minnesota W 107–93 Scottie Pippen (27) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (8) United Center
23,985
57–17
75 April 5 @ Houston W 109–94 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (12) Pippen & Rodman (8) Compaq Center
16,285
58–17
76 April 7 Washington W 103–85 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (20) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,969
59–17
77 April 9 @ Cleveland L 85–91 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (20) Scottie Pippen (8) Gund Arena
20,562
59–18
78 April 11 Orlando W 87–78 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (10) Pippen & Rodman (6) United Center
24,104
60–18
79 April 13 Indiana L 105–114 Scottie Pippen (28) Dennis Rodman (9) Harper & Rodman (4) United Center
23,957
60–19
80 April 15 @ Detroit L 79–87 Michael Jordan (19) Dennis Rodman (15) Harper & Kukoč (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076
60–20
81 April 17 @ Philadelphia W 87–80 Michael Jordan (24) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (4) CoreStates Center
21,305
61–20
82 April 18 New York W 111-109 Michael Jordan (44) Dennis Rodman (8) Scottie Pippen (10) United Center
24,182
62–20
1997–98 schedule

Playoffs

1998 playoff game log
Total: 15–6 (Home: 10–2; Road: 5–4)
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 24 New Jersey W 96–93 (OT) Michael Jordan (39) Dennis Rodman (8) 3 players tied (5) United Center
23,844
1–0
2 April 26 New Jersey W 96–91 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (16) Burrell & Rodman (4) United Center
23,844
2–0
3 April 29 @ New Jersey W 116–101 Michael Jordan (38) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (10) Continental Airlines Arena
19,889
3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 3 Charlotte W 83–70 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (14) Jordan & Pippen (4) United Center
23,844
1–0
2 May 6 Charlotte L 76–78 Michael Jordan (22) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (6) United Center
23,844
1–1
3 May 8 @ Charlotte W 103–89 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (17) Michael Jordan (6) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799
2–1
4 May 10 @ Charlotte W 94–80 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (8) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799
3–1
5 May 13 Charlotte W 93–84 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (21) Longley & Pippen (5) United Center
23,844
4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 17 Indiana W 85–79 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (10) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,844
1–0
2 May 19 Indiana W 104–98 Michael Jordan (41) Ron Harper (9) Jordan & Pippen (5) United Center
23,844
2–0
3 May 23 @ Indiana L 105–107 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (12) Michael Jordan (7) Market Square Arena
16,576
2–1
4 May 25 @ Indiana L 94–96 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (10) Market Square Arena
16,560
2–2
5 May 27 Indiana W 106–87 Michael Jordan (29) Scottie Pippen (8) Kukoč & Pippen (7) United Center
23,844
3–2
6 May 29 @ Indiana L 89–92 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (12) 3 players tied (2) Market Square Arena
16,566
3–3
7 May 31 Indiana W 88–83 Michael Jordan (28) Scottie Pippen (12) Michael Jordan (8) United Center
23,844
4–3
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 June 3 @ Utah L 85–88 (OT) Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (10) Steve Kerr (5) Delta Center
19,911
0–1
2 June 5 @ Utah W 93–88 Michael Jordan (37) Kukoč & Rodman (9) Scottie Pippen (4) Delta Center
19,911
1–1
3 June 7 Utah W 96–54 Michael Jordan (24) Ron Harper (10) Ron Harper (7) United Center
23,844
2–1
4 June 10 Utah W 86–82 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center
23,844
3–1
5 June 12 Utah L 81–83 Toni Kukoč (30) Scottie Pippen (11) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center
23,844
3–2
6 June 14 @ Utah W 87–86 Michael Jordan (45) Dennis Rodman (8) Kukoč & Pippen (4) Delta Center
19,911
4–2
1998 schedule

Player stats

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Keith Booth 6 0 2.8 .333 .000 1.000 .7 .2 .00 .00 1.7
Randy Brown 71 6 16.2 .384 .000 .718 1.3 2.1 1.00 .17 4.1
Jud Buechler 74 0 8.2 .483 .385 .500 1.0 .7 .30 .20 2.7
Scott Burrell 80 3 13.7 .424 .354 .734 2.5 .8 .80 .46 5.2
Jason Caffey 51 8 13.9 .503 .000 .660 3.4 .7 .25 .33 5.3
Ron Harper 82 82 27.9 .441 .190 .750 3.5 2.9 1.32 .59 9.3
Michael Jordan 82 82 38.8 .465 .238 .784 5.8 3.5 1.72 .55 28.7
Steve Kerr 50 0 22.4 .454 .438 .918 1.5 1.9 .52 .10 7.5
Joe Kleine 46 1 8.6 .368 .000 .833 1.7 .7 .09 .11 2.0
Toni Kukoč 74 52 30.2 .455 .362 .708 4.4 4.2 1.03 .50 13.3
Rusty LaRue 14 0 10.0 .408 .250 .625 .6 .4 .21 .07 3.5
Luc Longley 58 58 29.4 .455 .000 .736 5.9 2.8 .59 1.07 11.4
Scottie Pippen 44 44 37.5 .447 .318 .777 5.2 5.8 1.80 .98 19.1
Dennis Rodman 80 66 35.7 .431 .174 .550 15.0 2.9 .59 .22 4.7
Dickey Simpkins 21 0 11.3 .634 .000 .591 1.5 .8 .19 .14 3.7
David Vaughn III 3 0 2.0 1.000 .000 .500 .3 .0 .00 .00 1.3
Bill Wennington 48 8 9.7 .436 .000 .810 1.7 .4 .08 .10 3.5

Postseason

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Randy Brown 14 5.1 .167 .000 .833 .6 .6 .14 .00 .6
Jud Buechler 16 4.0 .364 .600 .000 .7 .2 .19 .06 .7
Scott Burrell 21 12.4 .438 .300 .909 2.0 .5 .90 .14 3.8
Ron Harper 21 21 26.8 .459 .263 .615 3.7 2.3 .95 .86 6.7
Michael Jordan 21 21 41.5 .462 .302 .812 5.1 3.5 1.52 .57 32.4
Steve Kerr 21 19.8 .434 .463 .818 .8 1.7 .33 .00 4.9
Toni Kukoč 21 17 30.3 .486 .377 .645 3.9 2.9 1.24 .48 13.1
Luc Longley 18 16 25.3 .450 .000 .872 5.0 1.9 .67 .83 7.9
Scottie Pippen 21 21 39.8 .415 .228 .679 7.1 5.2 2.14 .95 16.8
Dennis Rodman 21 9 34.4 .371 .250 .605 11.8 2.0 .67 .62 4.9
Dickey Simpkins 13 5.7 .375 .000 .444 1.0 .2 .15 .08 1.2
Bill Wennington 16 7.4 .526 .000 .500 .9 .2 .38 .12 2.8

NBA finals

1998 NBA Finals Roster

Chicago Bulls Utah Jazz
Head Coach: Phil Jackson Head Coach: Jerry Sloan
Michael Jordan Karl Malone
Scottie Pippen Jeff Hornacek
Dennis Rodman John Stockton
Luc Longley Bryon Russell
Ron Harper Shandon Anderson
Steve Kerr Adam Keefe
Keith Booth Howard Eisley
Scott Burrell Antoine Carr
Randy Brown Greg Foster
Dickey Simpkins Greg Ostertag
Rusty LaRue Chris Morris
Bill Wennington Jacque Vaughn
Jud Buechler Troy Hudson
Toni Kukoč William Cunningham

Series summary

Legend: OT denotes a game decided in overtime

Game Date Home team Result Road team
Game 1 June 3 Utah 88-85 (OT) Chicago
Game 2 June 5 Utah 88-93 Chicago
Game 3 June 7 Chicago 96-54 Utah
Game 4 June 10 Chicago 86-82 Utah
Game 5 June 12 Chicago 81-83 Utah
Game 6 June 14 Utah 86-87 Chicago

Bulls win series 4-2

Games 1 and 2

This was the first time in the 1990s that the same two teams played each other in two consecutive finals. The Jazz had won both regular season match-ups, and many analysts predicted a hard-fought seven-game series. Predictions of a Jazz championship were strengthened with their game one victory in overtime in Utah. The Bulls would tie the series in game 2 putting together a fourth quarter run to silence the Delta Center and holding on to win 93–88, finally securing their first victory against Utah all season.

Games 3, 4 and 5

The Finals would move to Chicago with control of the series at stake in Game 3. Though anticipation was high, no one could have expected a blow-out of the proportions seen in Game 3. With a 96–54 triumph over Utah, the Bulls would help the Jazz set an embarrassing record for the lowest points scored in Finals history and biggest margin of defeat, while everyone on the Bulls scored. The Jazz would pull themselves together in Game 4 in a better attempt to tie the series, but lost 86–82.

The early Jazz series-lead seemed like a distant memory, a false indication of a tough series as they hit the floor for Game 5 behind 3–1. Chicago fans prepared for the last game they would host with the Jordan-led Bulls of the 1990s. But any notions of a championship at the United Center would be snuffed out when, with 0.8 seconds on the game, Michael Jordan airballed an off-balance 3 to the right of the basket giving the Jazz a narrow 83–81 win. The play might have been for Toni Kukoč to shoot a three. With the series shifting back to Utah with a far more generous 3-2 Bulls advantage, the promise of another Chicago championship was not so certain.

Game 6

The Chicago Bulls had never let a Finals series go to a Game 7.

As they arrived at the Delta Center for Game 6, things didn't look good for the Bulls. Scottie Pippen's back gave out when he dunked the opening basket of the game and he was slowed down and held to just 8 points. The Jazz suffered a bad break when the referees incorrectly nullified a Howard Eisley three-pointer that, replays showed, was clearly released just before the 24-second clock expired. In the 4th quarter, the Bulls closed the gap as Michael Jordan tallied many of his 45 overall points. Then things got worse for Chicago when John Stockton hit a clutch 3 with 41.9 seconds left to give Utah an 86–83 lead as the Delta Center crowd roared happily. Down by 3, the Bulls had one last chance to stay alive. Running perilously low on energy, it would be imperative for Chicago to win the series before the game went into OT, and also for the Bulls to avoid a Game 7 on the road when Scottie Pippen was so badly injured and their entire lineup was exhausted.

After Michael Jordan made a quick layup to cut the Jazz lead to one, the Bulls needed to stop the Jazz from scoring again. When John Stockton passed the ball to Karl Malone, Michael Jordan stole the ball away and dribbled to the front. Guarding him was Bryon Russell, one of the Jazz's best perimeter defenders. Jordan drove inside the 3-point line, executed a quick cross-over, and drilled a 20-ft. jump shot to give the Bulls an 87–86 lead with 5.2 seconds left. After Utah took a timeout, Stockton's 3 hit the rim and bounced away, giving the Bulls their 6th title in 8 years. The famous winning shot has been immortalized in many records, as Jordan completed a perfect sextet: 6 NBA Finals, 6 championships, and 6 NBA Finals MVP trophies. [37]

Awards and honors

NBA All-Star Game

Transactions

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