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1997–98 Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPhil Jackson
OwnersJerry Reinsdorf
ArenaUnited Center
Results
Record62–20 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Jazz 4–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWGN-TV
SportsChannel/Fox Sports Chicago
RadioWMVP
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

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, where they defeated the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals in six games, winning their fifth NBA championship. During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Scott Burrell from the Golden State Warriors.[2] However, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen would miss the first half of the season due to a foot injury sustained from the 1997 NBA Playoffs.[3] Without Pippen, the Bulls started with a rough 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.[4] At midseason, the team traded Jason Caffey to the Golden State Warriors for David Vaughn.[5] 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. 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.[6] The Bulls had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.[7]

In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round,[8] defeated the Charlotte Hornets 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,[9] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center 78–76,[10] and then the Indiana Pacers 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advance to the NBA Finals.[11] 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".[12][13]

The season also saw Michael Jordan earn his fifth and final NBA Most Valuable Player Award,[14] while being selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, where he also won his third and final All-Star Game MVP Award.[15][16] He once again led the league in scoring averaging 28.7 points 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.[17] 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,[17] and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman once again led the league in rebounding with 15.0 rebounds per game. In addition, 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, and Ron Harper contributed 9.3 points and 1.3 steals per game.[18]

This was Jordan's last season as a Bull, as he announced his second retirement after it was over.[19] However, he did make a second comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001.[20] Following the season, Phil Jackson resigned as head coach,[21] while Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets,[22] Rodman left for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent,[23] Longley was dealt to the Phoenix Suns,[24] Kerr signed with the San Antonio Spurs,[25] Burrell signed with the New Jersey Nets, and Jud Buechler signed with the Detroit Pistons.

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. It aired in April 2020, expedited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[citation needed]

Offseason[edit]

NBA draft[edit]

Main article: 1997 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[edit]

1997–98 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) 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 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 6 ft 8 in (2.03 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[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Season standings[edit]

Central Division 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
# Eastern Conference
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[edit]

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 —

October–November[edit]

December[edit]

January[edit]

February[edit]

March[edit]

April[edit]

Game log[edit]

Regular season[edit]

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) Fleet Center
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) Fleet Center
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) Meadowlands 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) Meadowlands 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[edit]

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) Meadowlands 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 26.8 .459 .263 .615 3.7 2.3 .95 .86 6.7
Michael Jordan 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 30.3 .486 .377 .645 3.9 2.9 1.24 .48 13.1
Luc Longley 18 25.3 .450 .000 .872 5.0 1.9 .67 .83 7.9
Scottie Pippen 21 39.8 .415 .228 .679 7.1 5.2 2.14 .95 16.8
Dennis Rodman 21 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[edit]

1998 NBA Finals Roster[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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.[13]

Awards and honors[edit]

NBA All-Star Game[edit]

Transactions[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "1997-98 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats - Basketball-Reference.com".
  2. ^ "SIMPKINS-BURRELL TRADE IN WORKS". Chicago Tribune. September 20, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "PIPPEN'S FOOT INJURY WORRIES THE BULLS". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "ILL-STARRED KERR SIDELINED AT LEAST 8 WEEKS". Chicago Tribune. January 17, 1998. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "PLAYERS PUZZLED OVER CAFFEY TRADE". Chicago Tribune. February 20, 1998. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  6. ^ "1997–98 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "AFTER STRANGLING NETS, BULLS' KILLER INSTINCT READY FOR REST OF NBA". Chicago Tribune. April 30, 1998. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Bulls Finish Off Charlotte to Advance". The New York Times. May 14, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hornets steal one from Bulls, 78-76 Controlling Jordan, Charlotte ties series". Baltimore Sun. May 7, 1998. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; An Era Continues As Jordan Pushes Bulls Past Pacers". The New York Times. June 1, 1998. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  12. ^ "Sports of The Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls To Their Sixth N.B.A. Title". New York Times. June 15, 1998. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Michael Jordan hits 'The Shot', and the Chicago Bulls beat Utah Jazz for their 6th NBA championship". Chicago Tribune. June 15, 1998. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "JORDAN WINS HIS 5TH MVP AWARD". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 1998. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "N.B.A. ALL-STAR GAME; Jordan Stars One Last Time (Probably)". The New York Times. February 9, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  16. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "1997–98 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; THE FINAL WORD FROM JORDAN". The New York Times. January 14, 1999. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  20. ^ "Jordan Makes His Return Official". The New York Times. September 25, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  21. ^ "JACKSON TO CALL IT QUITS". Chicago Tribune. June 22, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  22. ^ "Bulls Shippin' Pippen". Chicago Tribune. January 19, 1999. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  23. ^ "Rodman Signs Lakers Contract". Chicago Tribune. February 23, 1999. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  24. ^ "Transactions". New York Times. January 24, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  25. ^ "Elie, Other Free Agents Pushed Spurs to Top". SF Gate. June 15, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
source: https://web.archive.org/web/20220125063255/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997-98_Chicago_Bulls_season

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