Back In The Day NBA

Michael Jordan Once Guaranteed Victory In One Of His Few Game 7s

Shandel Richardson

May 31, 1998; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23), right, is guarded by Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller (31) in the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY
May 31, 1998; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23), right, is guarded by Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller (31) in the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY / Anne Ryan-USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC
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Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is often applauded for never facing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.

He did, however, play in three of those situations during previous rounds of the postseason. One of them was against the Indiana Pacers in the 1998 Eastern Conference finals. That was when Jordan guaranteed victory.

"We're going to win Game 7," Jordan said after losing Game 6. "I never make promises. I don't even make promises to my wife but we're going to win Game 7."

When Michael Jordan said "we will win game 7" Vs the pacers to advance to the Nba finals 💯🐐 #MJ #GOAT #playoffs

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Jordan made good on his promise. He led the Bulls to an 88-83 victory against Reggie Miller and the Pacers in Game 7. Jordan finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

LEBRON TAKES A BACKSEAT?

LeBron James is often the most mentioned player in GOAT debate with Jordan.

James recently gave Jordan fans some ammunition with his comments after a game.

"Arguably one of the greatest to ever play the game," James said of Jordan. "I wear 23 because of him. To sit here and be in the room and the conversation. Whatever it is, when you mention MJ, it's just super dope for me being a kid from where I'm from."

MAGIC HONORED BY PRESIDENT

NBA great Magic Johnson was among 10 recipients of Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden.

Johnson joined a list that included the likes of actor actor Denzel Washington. Johnson was honored for raising awareness of HIV and as a business owner.

“Under the same bright lights, his honesty about his HIV status shattered stigma and saved lives,” said the White House. “The first retired athlete to build a true business empire, he champions underserved communities. With a legendary will and smile, Magic Johnson rose from the playground in Lansing, Michigan to become one of the most beloved athletes of our time.”

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day Hoops On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star.  TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com