Michael Jordan 1991 Finals: Gm 1 Vs. LA Lakers, 36pts

MJ's very first Finals game started off with a bang. With the Magic Vs. Michael theme being the dream storyline the world wanted, all eyes were on MJ to see if he could knock out the Champ to be the Champ. Game 1 was an almost perfect performance from The Master as he dominated on both ends of the floor -- scoring his customary and efficient 36 on 14-24 shooting while simultaneously guarding Magic the majority of the time. Although Magic's greatness squeaked him a triple double with 19pts, 10 rebs and 11 asts, MJ's maniacal perimeter-post defense allowed him only 5 shots the entire game.

The Bulls however played with nervous energy and the experienced Lakers team kept a close lead throughout the game. MJ switched on his heroics with the use of the 'now dead' stop-and-pop jumper and a supreme, leftward-perimeter-post-fade to eke out a lead in the crucial moments. But, an amazing three pointer by Perkins meant MJ had to do it again. MJ's game-tying attempt was a beautiful shake to offer a clean jumper but to everyone's disbelief, the ball went in and out. And although it was a rare miss by the game's greatest ever clutch player, I remember my close friend from school saying the next day, "That last shot - even his misses are amazing." No need to argue that. Kudos to Scottie's amazing shot at the buzzer as well.

(The rest of this series is uploaded in succession except Game 2 which was uploaded last year. You can find it here www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBseRlgoSLc
For the record, MJ would end the series with some preposterous numbers: 31.2ppg, 6.6 rebs, 11.4 assists, 2.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, 56.64% FG, 50% 3FG and 85% FT).

hoopsencyclopedia.blogspot.com