The Shot
Encyclopedia
The Shot is the name of the series-winning basket made by Michael Jordan
in the 5th game of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round
against the Cavs
, in the Coliseum at Richfield
. The Shot is considered one of Jordan's greatest clutch
moments, and the game itself a classic.
The Cavaliers swept the season series against the Bulls 6-0, including a 90-84 loss in the final regular-season game in which the Cavaliers rested their 4 best players (Ron Harper
, Mark Price
, Brad Daugherty, and Larry Nance). Cleveland was the 3rd seed in the East; Chicago was the 6th. Cleveland also had a 57-25 regular season record; Chicago was only 47-35. With both these factors, the Bulls' playoff victory was considered a major upset. In retrospect, it symbolized the beginning of a dynasty in Jordan's Bulls.
It was the first of many game-winning shots that Jordan made in his playoff career. In Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals
, Jordan made another series-winning buzzer-beater on the same end of the court in the same building, to give the Bulls their 4th playoff series win over the Cavs, that time a 4-game sweep.
The Shot is one of many dramatic sports moments that have come at the expense of a Cleveland team — Red Right 88
, The Catch, The Drive
, The Fumble
, The Decision, The Move
and the 1997 World Series
.
inbounded the ball to Larry Nance, who gave the ball back to him, and scored on a driving layup to give Cleveland a 100-99 lead with 3 seconds left, after which Chicago called timeout.
Jordan was double-teamed by Ehlo and Nance on the inbounds play. Jordan bounced off of Ehlo and pushed Nance out of the way to get open and receive the inbounds pass from Brad Sellers
. Jim Durham
, calling the game on the Bulls' Radio Network, narrated what happened next:
and Hubie Brown
as well as sideline reporter James Brown calling the action). CBS never aired this replay during the game telecast, nor was Jordan's celebration caught by the sideline pressbox camera used for most game action. Instead, fans saw the celebration of Bulls coach Doug Collins
, who had his arms in the air as he ran in a semicircle past future Bulls coach Phil Jackson
and into the arms of his team.
Jordan's leap was recreated for the 2006 television ad "Second Generation
".
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
in the 5th game of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round
1989 NBA Playoffs
The 1989 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1988-89 NBA season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who were severely hampered by injuries, four...
against the Cavs
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, in the Coliseum at Richfield
Coliseum at Richfield
The Coliseum at Richfield was an arena located in Richfield Township in Summit County, Ohio, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Akron...
. The Shot is considered one of Jordan's greatest clutch
Clutch (sports)
In American sports terminology, "clutch" means performing well under extreme pressure. It often refers to high levels of production in a critical game, such as Game 7 of a best-of-seven series, the last hole of a Major Championship golf tournament, or the final minute in a close match...
moments, and the game itself a classic.
The Cavaliers swept the season series against the Bulls 6-0, including a 90-84 loss in the final regular-season game in which the Cavaliers rested their 4 best players (Ron Harper
Ron Harper
Ronald "Ron" Harper is a retired American professional basketball player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001 with four teams in the NBA. At 6 ft 6 in , his position was shooting guard/point guard.- Collegiate career :...
, Mark Price
Mark Price
William Mark Price is a retired American basketball player who played for 12 seasons in the NBA, from 1986 to 1998...
, Brad Daugherty, and Larry Nance). Cleveland was the 3rd seed in the East; Chicago was the 6th. Cleveland also had a 57-25 regular season record; Chicago was only 47-35. With both these factors, the Bulls' playoff victory was considered a major upset. In retrospect, it symbolized the beginning of a dynasty in Jordan's Bulls.
It was the first of many game-winning shots that Jordan made in his playoff career. In Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1993 NBA Playoffs
The 1993 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1992-1993 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their third consecutive championship by defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns four...
, Jordan made another series-winning buzzer-beater on the same end of the court in the same building, to give the Bulls their 4th playoff series win over the Cavs, that time a 4-game sweep.
The Shot is one of many dramatic sports moments that have come at the expense of a Cleveland team — Red Right 88
Red Right 88
Red Right 88 was the designation of a Cleveland Browns passing play that was called during the January 4, 1981 American Football Conference divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders; in the years since, the term has been used to refer to the game itself and its ending.Trailing 14-12 with...
, The Catch, The Drive
The Drive
The Drive refers to an offensive series in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game played on January 11, 1987, between the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns. Broncos quarterback John Elway, in a span of 5 minutes and 2 seconds, led his team 98 yards to tie the game with 37 seconds...
, The Fumble
The Fumble
In American football, The Fumble refers to a specific incident in the AFC Championship Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium...
, The Decision, The Move
Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
The Cleveland Browns relocation controversy was the decision by then Browns owner Art Modell to move the National Football League team from its longtime home of Cleveland, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland for the 1996 NFL season...
and the 1997 World Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
.
The play
Jordan hit a jumper with 6 seconds left to give the Bulls a 99-98 lead. After Cleveland took time, Craig EhloCraig Ehlo
Joel Craig Ehlo, , is a retired American National Basketball Association player.A guard/forward from Odessa Junior College and Washington State University, Ehlo was selected in the third round of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, and went with the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals in a...
inbounded the ball to Larry Nance, who gave the ball back to him, and scored on a driving layup to give Cleveland a 100-99 lead with 3 seconds left, after which Chicago called timeout.
Jordan was double-teamed by Ehlo and Nance on the inbounds play. Jordan bounced off of Ehlo and pushed Nance out of the way to get open and receive the inbounds pass from Brad Sellers
Brad Sellers
Bradley Donn Sellers is a retired American professional basketball player. A 7'0" power forward/center from the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University, he was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1986 NBA Draft.Sellers was a controversial selection among the Bulls'...
. Jim Durham
Jim Durham
Jim Durham is an American sportscaster.Since 1995, he has called numerous National Basketball Association games for ESPN and ESPN Radio. Durham has spent more than 32 years calling NBA games on TV and radio; his previous assignments were with the Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks, TNT and TBS...
, calling the game on the Bulls' Radio Network, narrated what happened next:
Lasting image
The lasting image of the moment is Jordan's wild, emphatic celebration: a leap into the air as Ehlo crumpled to the ground in despair a short distance away. This scene has become part of many fans' recollection of The Shot, but it was not shown to viewers of the televised game (which was broadcast on CBS with Dick StocktonDick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
and Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
as well as sideline reporter James Brown calling the action). CBS never aired this replay during the game telecast, nor was Jordan's celebration caught by the sideline pressbox camera used for most game action. Instead, fans saw the celebration of Bulls coach Doug Collins
Doug Collins
Paul Douglas "Doug" Collins is a retired American basketball player, a former four-time NBA All-Star and currently the head coach of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.-High school and college:...
, who had his arms in the air as he ran in a semicircle past future Bulls coach Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
and into the arms of his team.
Jordan's leap was recreated for the 2006 television ad "Second Generation
Second Generation (advertisement)
"Second Generation" is a 2006 television advertisement introducing Nike's Air Jordan XXI brand of basketball shoes. The ad is also listed as "2nd Generation"; its tagline is "Let your game speak".-Production:...
".