How winnable was the 1997 finals for the Jazz?

[Nilocon165]

Karl Malone missed two free throws at the end of game 1 and those idiots let Jordan score 37 when he had the FLU.

Seemed like the momentum of the series completely shifted to them after game 4.

Not to mention the goaltend no call at the end of game 6.

[Papaya Petee]

Both the 1997 and 1998 finals were very winnable for the Jazz.

A lot of the games came down to one or two plays, game winners, defensive stops etc. Both very tight series.

[ArbitraryWater]

Dirk would have made one FT minimum

Dirk would have countered MJ's shot in game 6, no wild three

[Lebron23]

That Jazz team really need a legit 2nd scoring option. Stockton played like a 3rd option in both series.

Malone was better in the 1998 NBA Finals despite his team losing in 6 games.

[Nilocon165]

That Jazz team really need a legit 2nd scoring option. Stockton played like a 3rd option in both series.

Malone was better in the 1998 NBA Finals despite his team losing in 6 games.

Stockton: 9.8 ppg in 98 finals.

ouch.

[ClipperRevival]

This was the same Jazz team that completely dismantled a young but ultra talented Laker team of Shaq, Kobe, Jones and Van Exel in the playoffs for 2 straight seasons. They were the Spurs before the Spurs. Never beat themselves and played team ball. You really had to beat them because they weren't going to make many mistakes.

The fact is, the Jazz could've easily won both series had some plays gone the other way. But MJ didn't let it happen. It's that simple. Close playoff games sometimes comes down to a few crucial plays here and there and MJ imposed his will on the game when it was most needed.

If you are curious about what happened, you should watch the finals review shows for both finals. Only becauses MJ won do people say he faced nobody which is like one of the dumbest arguments one can make. You are criticizing a guy for coming up when it matters most? MJ prevented other greats from becoming LEGENDS or near legendary players.

[Hey Yo]

Karl Malone missed two free throws at the end of game 1 and those idiots let Jordan score 37 when he had the FLU.

Seemed like the momentum of the series completely shifted to them after game 4.

Not to mention the goaltend no call at the end of game 6.

allegedly.......

[Hey Yo]

This was the same Jazz team that completely dismantled a young but ultra talented Laker team of Shaq, Kobe, Jones and Van Exel in the playoffs for 2 straight seasons. They were the Spurs before the Spurs. Never beat themselves and played team ball. You really had to beat them because they weren't going to make many mistakes.

The fact is, the Jazz could've easily won both series had some plays gone the other way. But MJ didn't let it happen. It's that simple. Close playoff games sometimes comes down to a few crucial plays here and there and MJ imposed his will on the game when it was most needed.

If you are curious about what happened, you should watch the finals review shows for both finals. Only becauses MJ won do people say he faced nobody which is like one of the dumbest arguments one can make. You are criticizing a guy for coming up when it matters most? MJ prevented other greats from becoming LEGENDS or near legendary players.

Kobe wasn't even a starter and didn't he air-ball like 4FGA in a row in one of those series?

No need to sensationalize him.

[ClipperRevival]

Kobe wasn't even a starter and didn't he air-ball like 4FGA in a row in one of those series?

No need to sensationalize him.

Jazz also swept the 61 win Lakers in 1997-98. A team with Shaq, Kobe, Jones, Van Excel, Fisher, Horry and Fox. On paper, they were much better than the Jazz but it goes back to what I said about the Jazz. They never beat themselves and out executed you. In fact, that Lakers team on paper has to be one of the more talented teams ever, at least on paper.

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Not to mention the goaltend no call at the end of game 6.

I remember watching that game live back then and thinking they got jobbed a bit. Jordan would have a lot less rings if Stern wasn't in his pocket.

[ArbitraryWater]

Everyone on the Lakers shit the bed but Shaq... were the Jazz even better than their 80's versions?

[WayOfWad3]

1998 was more winnable in my opinion. The 97 series was up for grabs until the Bulls took Game 5 in SLC whereas the 98 series was up for grabs until the final buzzer of Game 6. I know the Jazz were favored in the rematch whereas they weren't in the initial encounter. The Jazz were literally one made/missed shot away from a very winnable game 7 at home in 98 whereas the same can't be said for 97. That being said though, Jazz had a legit shot in 1997 especially after tying it up at 2-2

[Smoke117]

They lost in 6 and Scottie Pippen was injured in both series...that shows how UNWINNABLE they both were. Scottie almost missed game 1 of that 97 finals because of the foot he would have surgery on and miss half the season in 98 for...everyone already knows how bad his back was in the last two games of the 98 finals.

[SouBeachTalents]

They lost in 6 and Scottie Pippen was injured in both series...that shows how UNWINNABLE they both were. Scottie almost missed game 1 of that 97 finals because of the foot he would have surgery on and miss half the season in 98 for...everyone already knows how bad his back was in the last two games of the 98 finals.

That's what makes '98 even more winnable for the Jazz. If they legit just make one more play at the end of Game 6, or hell if the refs don't wave off their buzzer beater at halftime they would've had Game 7 at home against the Bulls with a crippled Pippen. Jordan would've had to legit drop another 45-50 point game for the Bulls to win in that scenario

[Smoke117]

That's what makes '98 even more winnable for the Jazz. If they legit just make one more play at the end of Game 6, or hell if the refs don't wave off their buzzer beater at halftime they would've had Game 7 at home against the Bulls with a crippled Pippen. Jordan would've had to legit drop another 45-50 point game for the Bulls to win in that scenario

It's honestly pretty pathetic how bad the Jazz choked in game 6...considering what a big part Pippen played in the Bulls being up 3-1 through the first four games to begin with...he was the favorite for FMVP after the first four games because of his crazy defense and all around play. (that idiot 3ball likes to bring up his ppg in this series without any context...yeah he averaged 15 through 6 because he was hurt the last two...he averaged 20ppg on good efficiency through the first 4)