The Chicago Bulls finally got a taste of what it felt like to be on the championship stage after coming out of the East in the 1991 playoffs. They faced a Los Angeles Lakers team, which was still considered a powerhouse squad because of Magic Johnson and James Worthy.
Still, the Bulls probably knew entering the series that they had the upper hand against the Lakers . Even giving up Game 1 at home was enough to break the squad's spirit, especially Phil Jackson 's. According to sportswriter Sam Smith, the all-time great coach was incredibly "upbeat" after the contest.
"I was friendly with Phil's then-wife, June, at the time, and I remember seeing her when I was walking out," Smith said . "And she was all upset about the loss, and Phil was really upbeat. Phil says, 'What a great game this was,' and she says, 'Phil, how can you say that? We lost!" Phil wasn't in the clouds, but I think [the Bulls] felt even though they lost that game, they hadn't lost their confidence that they could beat this team."
Losing to a Perkins three
There were plenty of good reasons Jackson still liked his squad's chances following the series-opening loss. For one, Chicago almost had the contest in the bag, leading 91-89 with 23.5 seconds remaining. However, Johnson was able to find an unguarded Sam Perkins from beyond the arc.
The Bulls still had two opportunities to take the dub. Michael Jordan had a good look on the first try, but his jump shot went in and out. After Byron Scott clanked a pair of free throws, Scottie Pippen missed a desperation heave from half-court.
Still, Chicago's chance to steal Game 1 despite being down by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter likely gave the team confidence to end the Magic-led Showtime Lakers dynasty.
Related: Allen Iverson wanted to send a message to Michael Jordan in their first NBA matchup: "You going to remember No. 3 too"
Showing the foes who's boss
The setback also gave Jackson an idea of how to limit Los Angeles. In the next meeting, he changed his defensive game plan, assigning Pippen to Johnson and Jordan to Vlade Divac. It worked, as the Bulls won via blowout, 107-86.
The contest also saw MJ get revenge on the Lakers, shooting 15-for-18 from the field to score 33, and on Perkins by putting him on an iconic poster.
As it turned out, Chicago didn't allow Los Angeles to register another victory in the series. Jordan dominated Magic, but it wasn't exactly a one-man show as the other Bulls stepped up to the plate. Jackson even used the series as an example to contend that "His Airness" never won games by himself .
Related: “Last year on his 29th, he flew, this year he was grounded” – Phil Jackson made fun of Michael Jordan's poor shooting performance on his 30th birthday
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