The 3-pointers That Made the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls Team
During the ‘97-’98 season, the league averaged 12.7 3-pt. shots per game, whereas in today’s game, NBA teams are now averaging 32 3-pt. shots per game based on statistics from the last full NBA season in ‘18-19. Today, with sports technology like Noah tracking every shot and providing players with instant, audible feedback on several metrics, players are not only taking more shots but getting more accurate. For example, compare the league average of 34.6% in ‘97-’98 season, to today’s 35%, with the top three performing teams hitting over 38%.
Our technology may not have been used to track the Bulls’ shots during Michael Jordan’s final ‘97-’98 season, but between the superhuman shots he made, the defensive plays of Dennis Rodman, and the show-stopping shots from Scottie Pippen, magic was made by the entire ‘97-’98 Bulls team. With a total of 7,931 points made throughout the season, 933 of those points came specifically from behind the 3-pt. line. Here are a few of the most memorable.
Record 3-pointers
With a total of 10 3-pointers made in their February 19th game against the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls hit a season-high for most 3’s made during a game in their 1997-1998 season. The team went on to win 123-86.
MJ’s Last Game at the Garden as a Bull
In his original Air Jordan 1 sneakers, Michael Jordan scored a total of 42 points against the New York Knicks on March 8, 1998. Of those 42 points, only three came from behind the line, but his team picked up the slack by scoring seven more throughout the game to take a W over the Knicks, 102-89.
A Team Effort
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr and Jud Buechler scored a combined total of six 3-pointers against the Minnesota Timerwolves leading the team to a 107-93 victory. Jordan went on to score a total of 41 points in this game.
Three 3s
Jordan hit three 3-pointers to lead the Bulls to an 87-78 victory over the Orlando Magic on April 11, 1998. With this win, the Bulls clenched the home court at the Eastern Conference Playoff, and with a 36-4 record at home, things were starting to lay out for a third straight championship. After the Utah Jazz lost on the very same night, the Bulls officially had the best record in the league.
23 in the Closeout
With two seconds left on the shot clock, Scott Burrell shot a 3 to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 116-101 win over the New Jersey Nets. Scott Burrell scored a total of 23 points in this game to close the series in just three games and led them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In total, the Bulls scored nine 3-pointers during this game, the most of any of their other playoff games in 1998 and the second most from the entire ‘97-’98 season.
Hollywood Ending
Down by 1, Micahel Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone and hit a 3 to take the lead in the last 5.2 seconds over the Utah Jazz in game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. This shot secures the third straight NBA Championship title for the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.