Michael Jordan’s jump shot over Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell in the 1998 NBA Finals is easily one of the most iconic shots in basketball history. Not only did MJ knock down the game-winner. But he won his sixth NBA Championship, cementing his legacy as the greatest to ever do it.
While MJ has hit that shot countless times, there was still a chance it would rim out. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr claims he was prepared for this possibility, noting that he was ready to tip it in and win the game.
Steve Kerr for the win?
“ I just remember I had an inside position for the rebound on [John] Stockton,” Kerr said, per Yahoo Sports. “I beat him baseline and I was going to get the tip, to tip it in.”
“It would’ve been my first tip-in of the year,” Kerr said with a smirk. “But I was there.”
The video shows that Kerr was speaking the truth. He was on the weak side of the court as Mike was measuring Russell up. As Jordan faked the drive, John Stockton thought of clogging the lane.
When Jordan pulled up for the shot, Kerr raced towards the basketball and was in position for the rebound. If the ball bounced off to him, then he would’ve delivered the game-winning tip-in. Basketball history would’ve been a lot different.
I owe Mike everything
The former Chicago Bulls point guard wasn’t trying to steal the spotlight or something. Kerr has said before that he owes almost everything to Jordan. Because of the GOAT, all sorts of opportunities opened up for him .
“For me, [playing with Jordan] completely changed the rest of my life. To that point, I had bounced around. I was just an average player. I was able to play on these championship teams, made a name for myself, was able to get into TV, into broadcasting, into management and coaching. And the reason people hired me for these jobs later on is because I had played next to Michael Jordan and I had been part of championship teams, ” Kerr said on NBC Sports’ “Sports Uncovered” podcast.
Kerr might have given the Black Cat too much credit. After all, the Warriors coach is a terrific professional in his own right. Without him, it’s challenging to imagine Stephen Curry winning all those NBA Championships.
But Kerr just wanted to give credit where it’s due. Jordan was the leader of that Bulls squad. He pushed everyone to become the best basketball player they could be.
Related: "By the end of the game he had like 48, I finished with two" - Steve Kerr recalls matching up against Michael Jordan for the very first time
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