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Remembering the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Bulls' first "three-peat"
On June 20, 1993, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls pulled off an incredible victory that accomplished something that had never been done in over three decades—win three NBA championships in a row. It was a nerve-wracking win that saw a role player step to the fore and make the biggest shot of his career to deliver a 99-98 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals.
Vintage Jordan
His Airness was in his element all series long, dominating the Suns' defense to the tune of 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. However, the Suns—which had then league MVP Charles Barkley—hung tough and looked on the verge of sending the series to a deciding Game 7 as they led, 98-96, with just 14.1 seconds remaining.
The Bulls had possession, and everyone knew where the ball was going: in Jordan's hands. However, Jordan, who received the ball in the backcourt, passed it ahead to Scottie Pippen, who shed an overplaying Barkley and drove down the lane before dropping it off to a cutting Horace Grant.
However, the defense quickly closed in on the bespectacled big man, and Grant responded by kicking it out to a wide-open John Paxson, who swished the go-ahead three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in the game.
Defense wins championships
It's a saying that's as old as the game itself, and it was proven in the most dramatic fashion at the end of Game 6. As Suns guard Kevin Johnson drove and rose up for a jumper; Grant came from behind to block the shot and preserve the Bulls' stirring victory.
Although there were many heroes throughout the series, Grant's block will also go down as one of the most memorable moments of that unforgettable championship run.
