The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 808 Cookie Crumbs

Let's go back to early June 1997, the NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz.

The Bulls were dreaming of meeting the Portland Trail Blazers in the Finals to avenge their previous defeat. Michael Jordan wanted to win a "real championship," but he had to do it over Forrest Gump's dead body.

From Phil Jackson to Jordan, from Scottie Pippen to Dennis Rodman, each of them longed to defeat the Trail Blazers and Forrest Gump to be crowned champions, which would surely be the sweetest championship ever.

The Chicago Bulls that year were even stronger than those in 1996. Jordan played all 82 regular season games, and the Bulls won 70 games despite Pippen and Rodman missing more than 20.

Two consecutive regular seasons with 70 wins is something no other team has ever done.

Although regular season results only have home-court advantage in the playoffs, when your regular season results reach a certain level, it means that your team's strength has reached a certain level, and your opponents cannot threaten you just by increasing the intensity in the playoffs.

The Bulls have indeed reached a certain level: powerful, well-coordinated, confident, and self-consistent. Everyone on the team believes that they can defeat the Trail Blazers and Forrest Gump this year.

But the Trail Blazers were not prepared. When Kobe missed a crucial shot in Game 7 and Gan Guoyang failed to grab the offensive rebound, the Bulls players, who were watching the Western Conference Finals together in the training facility, were extremely disappointed.

Jordan was so angry he almost smashed the TV. He yelled, "Forrest Gump, you useless piece of trash! And what an idiot Kobe was! He missed three shots in a row! Sonny, couldn't you have taken the shot yourself? You coward!"

The Bulls were forced to face the Utah Jazz in the Finals, which dampened the morale of the entire team.

However, they soon realized that the Jazz were not an easy opponent, and defeating the Trail Blazers and Forrest gave them tremendous confidence.

In their first game, they surprisingly upset the seemingly invincible Bulls in Chicago, leading people to believe that the Utah Jazz could actually win the championship.

The loss made the Bulls realize that there was a reason why the Jazz were able to beat the Trail Blazers and Forrest Gump. The Bulls won the second and third games in Salt Lake City.

In the crucial fourth game, the Jazz pulled one back at home, tying the series 2-2 and forcing a decisive fifth game to decide the series.

The 2-3-2 format in the Finals once again highlights the advantage of the team with the worse record. The crucial match point battle will be played on the home court of the team with the worse record. Once the team wins, they will take control of the series.

That's how the Bulls lost the championship in 1992. They fell short in Game 5 in Portland, and the entire series was ultimately reversed, leaving them with no chance to recover.

Playing in Salt Lake City is no easy feat. In fact, in Game 4, the Bulls had every opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

With just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, they were leading the Jazz by five points, a significant advantage in a low-scoring Finals series.

At this crucial moment, the Bulls suddenly went on a poor run, while Stockton seemed to have divine intervention, hitting consecutive shots to help the Jazz take the lead and ultimately secure the victory, changing the course of the series.

It was only later that people learned that a Bulls assistant had mistakenly replaced the players' "Gatorade" with "Gatorlode," which is equivalent to replacing Sprite with Reibi.

Players who lost a lot of water, energy and trace elements during high-intensity matches immediately felt unwell after drinking counterfeit beverages. They reported feeling very uncomfortable in their stomachs and experiencing cramps.

Even Michael Jordan felt unwell and asked to rest for a while, which resulted in the Bulls losing the game.

No one knows where that counterfeit Gatorade came from or how it ended up on the Bulls' bench and was drunk by the players.

But all of this is undoubtedly related to Salt Lake City, where the desire for the championship is so strong and the hostility towards the Chicago Bulls is so intense.

Before Game 5, Jordan fell ill and was extremely unwell.

The Bulls announced that Jordan had the flu and a fever, but would continue to play.

However, various rumors after the Finals suggested that it was likely not the flu, but rather food poisoning caused by Jordan eating pizza of unknown origin.

Some say that Jordan got drunk the night before the game and was still hungover the next day, which is why he looked so awful before the game.

But whether it was the flu, food poisoning, or a hangover, Jordan's physical condition was indeed very poor before Game 5.

From the first quarter onwards, he seemed somewhat exhausted while running on the court, and whenever someone was taking a free throw, he would rest with his hands on his knees, something that hadn't happened in previous games.

The Jazz capitalized on the team's weakness, extending their lead to as much as 16 points, a huge advantage. At one point, Stockton, Malone, Jerry Sloan, and the tens of thousands of Jazz fans in the arena saw the dawn of the Utah Jazz winning the championship.

If they can do it, the Utah Jazz will become the most famous ugly duckling in NBA history.

They were the least watched team in the league, yet they went on to defeat two of the best players of the 90s, and possibly the best players in NBA history, in the playoffs to win the championship.

What a captivating story, what an enchanting fairy tale!

At this moment, Jordan, dragging his ailing body, stepped forward and shattered the fairy tale and beautiful dream.

He used his scoring and defense to help the Bulls respond to the Jazz with a 19-6 run, narrowing the gap to 3 points.

In the fourth quarter, the Jazz extended their lead to 8 points again. It was Jordan again; he went on a scoring spree, scoring 15 points in the quarter.

And at a crucial moment, he received an assist from Scottie Pippen and hit a three-pointer, helping the Bulls establish an advantage and win the series 3-0 game.

At the end of the game, Michael Jordan collapsed into Pippen's arms; the legend was truly exhausted.

With the team scoring only 90 points, Jordan scored 38, turning the tide despite being physically exhausted.

Even Gan Guoyang praised such a performance after the game, saying, "At this moment, Michael and I were neck and neck."

Jordan was too tired to argue with Forrest Gump; he was so exhausted he was almost fainting, and he knew this was Jordan's Finals.

That guy, Forrest Gump, who told you to lose the Western Conference Finals? Now you can only talk trash in the stands during the Finals. Charles Barkley and Gan Guoyang both went to the Triangle Center to watch the whole game. Both of them, losers in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, stood up and applauded Jordan's great performance.

In Game 6 back in Chicago, the Jazz remained tenacious, battling the Bulls to the very end.

At this point, the Jazz's biggest problem was exposed—whenever it came to crucial moments, they didn't have a player like Jordan who could deliver the decisive blow.

In the Western Conference Finals, Stockton unleashed tremendous energy against Forrest Gump and the Trail Blazers' weak perimeter defense.

However, in the Finals, facing the league's best perimeter defense, Stockton was unable to create another miracle.

Steve Kerr hit a game-winning three-pointer, helping the Bulls secure the victory and win the 1997 NBA championship.

Three titles in four years, though not a three-peat, were enough to establish a dynasty and dominate a period.

After the defeat in the Western Conference Finals, Jordan ascended to the throne of NBA legend, temporarily sitting on the throne of the greatest player.

After winning the championship, Jordan immediately told Pippen, Jackson, and others that they would do their best to win the 1998 championship and achieve a three-peat.

"If Forrest Gump loses the Western Conference Finals, he'll definitely make it to the NBA Finals in 1998. That will be the best, best chance to beat him, and we absolutely can't miss it!"

However, Jordan's ambitious statement certainly resonated with the Bulls players and coaches, boosting the team's morale and filling them with anticipation and excitement for 1998.

On the other hand, Jordan's bluntness, demanding in front of management and the owner to "keep the full roster and continue to strengthen the team," touched the sensitive pride of Jerry Krause and owner Reinsdorf.

They cannot tolerate being dominated by a player, even if he is Michael Jordan, even if he has won three championships and built a dynasty for the Bulls.

In this respect, Reinsdorf's vision was far inferior to Tang Jianguo's. Old Tang always listened to Forrest Gump and never minded being "inferior" in front of others. On the contrary, he treated Forrest Gump very well and took care of him in every way in terms of appearances. He always appeared to be a humble and respectful person in front of others.

Reinsdorf, to put it bluntly, was a Jewish businessman who was not only profit-driven but also arrogant and disdainful of everyone. He didn't really take Jordan seriously—in fact, most NBA owners are like that.

Old Tang is also profit-driven and a businessman, but he has far-reaching ambitions and ideas. He has the characteristics of a politician, rather than just a simple businessman.

Jordan's achievements and "arrogance" displeased Reinsdorf, and as for Jerry Krause, his conflict with Jordan had a long history.

The conflict between the two men didn't disappear with the Bulls' championship wins; in fact, it seemed to escalate. Jordan bears a significant responsibility for the deepening tension between them.

After the fifth "Flu Game," Jordan, who had won the game despite being ill, was extremely pleased with himself.

On the bus from the hotel to the airport, Jordan, who had mostly recovered, and his teammates drank beer and smoked cigars in the back row.

Drinking and smoking are Jordan's privileges, but after a few drinks, Jordan couldn't control his mouth and started ranting about people and things he didn't like.

At this point, Jordan would curse at even a dog that walked by.

Almost everyone on the Chicago Bulls team was verbally bullied by Jordan—Phil Jackson was probably the least affected, as Jordan still respected him.

The most numerous person was not Scottie Pippen, nor Horace Grant, but the obese Jerry Krause.

In his early years, Jordan sarcastically called Jerry Krause "cookie crumbs" because of his love of eating, implying that Krause always had food crumbs on his chest.

That night, Jordan yelled again, "Jerry! Let's go fishing! But you'd better bring your own fishing rod. Don't worry, if we don't catch a single fish, you can eat the bait, nothing will go to waste!"

The Bulls players in the back row laughed out loud, while the players and staff in the front row could only grit their teeth and hold it in.

Jerry Krause sighed deeply; he had lost count of how many times Jordan had humiliated him like this.

Although Jordan fairly humiliated everyone on the team, Krause was, after all, the general manager, and Jordan's actions could easily undermine his authority.

Of course, Jordan would still know his limits. For example, once when Ron Harper wanted to join in the mockery, Jordan immediately stopped him, saying, "Don't do that. Only I can do it. Don't mess with Krause."

This shows that Jordan was well aware of his privilege, and that if others made sarcastic remarks, the consequences would be dire.

However, there was one condition for Jordan to keep his mouth shut: he had to not talk back, and no one had to talk back. That was how the matter was resolved.

Once he retaliates, whether it's Krause, Pippen, or Steve Kerr, Jordan will fight to the bitter end, humiliating you to the core before he'll stop.

Jordan made a huge contribution in Game 5, and Jerry Krause should have been able to tolerate it, since he has tolerated it most of the time in the past.

But that night, for some unknown reason—perhaps physical discomfort, a bad mood, or perhaps the last straw that broke the camel's back—he didn't know.

In short, after a few seconds of silence, Jerry Krause finally couldn't hold back and replied, "The mouths from North Carolina can't hold back anymore. It would be hard to win in Oregon."

A brief silence followed; the bus was eerily quiet.

Jerry Krause realized he had said the wrong thing; he shouldn't have mentioned that person at that time.

Sure enough, Jordan stood up, pushed aside his teammates who were blocking him, went to Krause in the front row, grabbed Krause's tie, and demanded, "What do you mean by that? Did I make Forrest lose the Western Conference Finals? He couldn't even make it to the Finals on his own. If he came, I could still beat him! What the hell are you thinking, and what are you saying?!"

Krause's counterattack angered many, but fortunately it did not affect the Bulls players' performance.

When they won the championship at home, Jordan and Krause hugged tightly, as if the championship had erased any past grievances between them and made them as close as ever.

But that wasn't the case. When Jordan expressed to the management and owners his desire to retain the roster, strengthen the team, and strive for a three-peat, Krause and Reinsdorf were quite indifferent and did not give any positive response.

After this NBA Finals, Phil Jackson's contract with the Chicago Bulls expired.

Pippen's rookie contract with the Bulls had only one year left, and he would become a free agent after the 1997-1998 season.

Although Jordan signed a four-year, $1.18 million super contract, only the first two years were fully guaranteed. The last two years had one player option and one team option.

In the final year, the 1999-2000 season, the contract was worth $3500 million, which was a team option; the Bulls could choose not to exercise the $3500 million.

In contrast, Gan Guoyang's three-year, 3 million yuan contract is fully guaranteed, with a player option in the final year, giving Gan Guoyang complete control over the choice.

The scheming of the Bulls' owner and management is evident.

Faced with Jordan's pressure to step down, Jerry Krause and his owner Reinsdorf were not prepared to compromise.

While the Portland Trail Blazers made continuous improvements, acquiring Chris Mullin in a trade and "illegally" re-signing Sabonis, Krause only offered championship coach Phil Jackson a one-year, $600 million contract.

Jerry Krause emphasized, "No matter how the Bulls perform next season, even if they go 82-0, this will be his last season with the Chicago Bulls."

Jordan was aiming for a three-peat, but the general manager said something that drove Jordan crazy: he would only offer the championship coach a one-year contract.

Jordan then publicly stated: "If this is Phil's last contract with the Bulls, then next season will also be my last season with the Bulls."

These words immediately caused a huge uproar in Chicago and in the NBA.

Is the Chicago Bulls, who have just won the championship and established a dynasty, about to fall apart like this?

Jerry Krause not only offered Phil Jackson a one-year contract, but he also refused to extend Pippen's contract early.

Pippen's performance in the 1997 championship Finals was crucial to the team's victory, making him the undisputed number two after Jordan.

His salary that year was only $225 million, while Luke Longley's salary was $279 million.

Young players in the league often earn tens of millions of dollars a year, which made Pippen feel terrible. He began to regret why he didn't listen to Jordan's advice and insisted on signing that long-term contract.

It's too late to regret it now. How about the Bulls give me a big contract? After all, Pippen is only 31 years old and in great shape; he could easily earn a multi-million dollar annual salary.

But Krause was unwilling; he was determined to dismantle the team, letting these "heroes" play until the end of next season before they parted ways. Whether they could win a three-peat was up to them.

Jerry Krause even secretly inquired about prices from various clubs, hoping to trade Pippen.

He called Los Angeles, hoping to trade Pippen for Tracy McGrady, the small forward the Lakers had drafted in the 1997 NBA Draft.

But Jerry West ignored him. He had gone to great lengths to acquire draft picks and select this high school prodigy to make up for the loss of Kobe. He would not trade Pippen to the Bulls.

Anyway, if Pippen goes to the West and encounters Forrest Gump, he'll still be clueless. It's better to cultivate new talent and quietly wait for the right opportunity.

In short, Jerry Krause's series of moves have made things very difficult for the defending champion Bulls.

Not only did they fail to make any significant reinforcements, but they also seemed poised to dismantle the team, making the situation and atmosphere within the Bulls very unfavorable before the start of the 1997-1998 season.

In August, a trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers left Jordan extremely frustrated.

Upon hearing the news, he immediately called Phil Jackson and complained:

"The Trail Blazers illegally used their exception to sign Sabonis with a super cap, and now they've traded for Mookie Blaylock! And what about us? That idiot Krause won't even give Scottie a contract extension, and we haven't made any effective improvements. How are we going to beat the Trail Blazers?"

In this trade, the Trail Blazers sent away Van Exel, who violated playoff records and intentionally left the team, and included Aaron McGee and a future second-round draft pick in exchange for point guard "The Thief" Mookie Blaylock from the Atlanta Hawks.

The Trail Blazers' successive acquisitions of key players at the center, forward, and guard positions have unsettled the Chicago Bulls and the entire league.

At this point, Phil Jackson's words reassured Jordan. He said on the phone, "I know we're facing a lot of difficulties, and the Trail Blazers have strengthened. But wouldn't it be even more amazing if we, as the underdogs, could beat Forrest Gump and win the championship? Just like he did to us in 1992, right, Michael?"

After hearing what Jackson said, Jordan felt much better and was even more excited for the new season.

(End of this chapter)