Why Michael Jordan Never Wanted to Rank His Greatest NBA Moments

Michael Jordan’s career highlights are still some of the greatest ever. In 13 seasons in Chicago, His Airness gave fans dozens of iconic moments to remember for decades to come. While all of us have our favorite Jordan moments, the Chicago Bulls legend refused to pick one for himself. 

During his time in Chicago, Jordan had his “The Shot” against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. Then he had a picture-perfect “The Last Shot” in 1998. But refused to single out one from his career, elaborating on why in his Hall of Fame induction interview with Craig Sager.

“I don’t know, I can’t really pick one event, you know, because all of them make up who I am. You know, that’s like asking a father which one of his kids is his favorite kid. I can’t ever make that decision.”

Jordan’s career was full of iconic moments that have remained alive even after decades since his retirement.  

His comeback announcement from his first retirement signaled a dominant return that the rest of the league feared. After his first three-peat, Jordan returned and a year later commanded the league like he was never gone. 

But perhaps his most iconic moment was the game-winning “The Last Shot” against the Utah Jazz over forward Bryon Russell to win his sixth ring. 

Phil Jackson Reveals His Greatest Michael Jordan Moment

Phil Jackson was as important to the Chicago Bulls as anyone on the team. Largely considered the greatest coach in NBA history, Jackson had a big part in making Jordan the winner that he became later on. 

While Jordan refused to count his favorite moment from his career, Jackson said the final moments of the 1998 NBA Finals were his favorite. 

“I think the moment that means a lot to me was the last game that we were on the floor together against Utah,” Jackson once shared. 

All of the Bulls’ last sequence involved Jordan. With the Jazz leading the game 86-85, Jordan stripped the ball from Karl Malone and made the iconic game-winning shot. 

Jackson spoke of the strategy that he and Jordan employed in those final minutes of the game.

“He was missing his shot and he was letting his hand go a little, and I just said, ‘You know you gotta follow through on the shot,’…”

“This is what we’re going to run. When you score when they come back, they’re going to go to Karl [Malone]. You can come back and strip him in this situation. You know the play, you know what they’re going to do, they’re going to cross pick, and Hornacek’s gonna set it and see if you can get the ball out of his hands.’ and he did it,” he recalled.

It is the last picture of Michael Jordan that fans remember, a crossover and his shooting hand in the air, following Jackson’s “follow-through” suggestion.