RECAP
Jordan had another great season, leading the league in scoring for the ninth time at 29.6 ppg, contributing 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.71 steals per game and being voted to his accustomed spots on the All-NBA and All-NBA Defensive First Teams. Although the voters elected Karl Malone of Utah as the league's MVP by a slim margin over Jordan, he gained revenge by leading the Bulls past Malone's Jazz in the NBA Finals and capturing Finals MVP honors for the fifth time in five trips to the championship series.
The NBA's Player of the Month for November, Jordan started all 82 games and climbed past Alex English, Dominique Wilkins, John Havlicek and Oscar Robertson into fifth place on the all-time scoring list with 26,920 points. Jordan, who has now scored in double figures in 758 consecutive games, tallied a season-high 51 points in an 88-87 win over New York on Jan. 21 and scored 50 points in a 106-100 triumph over Miami on Nov. 6. He scored at least 40 points eight times and 30 or more on 44 occasions. Jordan, who matched his career high of 18 rebounds in an 89-87 overtime win over Seattle on March 6, became the first player to post a triple-double in NBA All-Star history when he tallied 14 points, a game-high 11 rebounds and a game-high 11 assists in Cleveland. During the weekend he also participated in the ceremonies honoring the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History."
Jordan averaged an NBA-high 31.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and team-highs of 4.8 assists and 1.58 steals per game in 19 playoff contests, and averaged 32.3 ppg in the NBA Finals against the Jazz. Jordan hit a buzzer-beating shot to win Game 1 of the Finals, had 38 points in Game 2 and came up with another 38 points, this time despite a stomach virus, in Game 5.
HONORS
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
All-NBA First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
NBA All-Star Starter
REGULAR-SEASON STATS
| YEAR | TEAM | G | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | OFF | DEF | TOT | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 96-97 | Chi | 82 | 82 | 37.9 | .486 | .374 | .833 | 1.4 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 1.71 | 0.54 | 29.6 |
PLAYOFF STATS
| YEAR | TEAM | G | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | OFF | DEF | TOT | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 96-97 | Chi | 19 | 19 | 42.3 | .456 | .194 | .831 | 2.2 | 5.7 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 1.58 | 0.89 | 31.1 |
FINALS STATS
| YEAR | TEAM | G | GS | MPG | FG% | FT% | OFF | DEF | TOT | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 1997 | Chi | 6 | 6 | 42.7 | .456 | .764 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 1.17 | 0.83 | 32.3 |
REGULAR-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
at Miami Heat
Michael makes the miraculous over-the-head shot ... and draws the foul.
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vs. Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan drains the game-winning trey against the Hornets.
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at Indiana Pacers
Jordan drives in for the acrobatic over-the-head layup against the Pacers.
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vs. Philadelphia 76ers
MJ brings down the long pass from Scottie Pippen, spins and shoots in one motion from well beyond the arc, catching nothing but net to beat the buzzer.
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PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHTS
Michael Jordan drives across the lane with Calbert Cheaney trailing,
then hangs in midair before hitting the fadeaway as he slides out of bounds.
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Jordan drives baseline, takes
the no-look bounce pass from Luc Longley and
throws it down over Dikembe Mutombo.
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MJ up-fakes on the drive
and goes under Dan Majerle for the slam as the
Bulls rally in the second half.
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Michael Jordan drains the jumper at the buzzer, giving the Bulls a thrilling 84-82 win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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Jordan sends the no-look pass to Scottie Pippen
underneath for a one-handed slam as the Bulls build a
16-point lead.
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Michael Jordan caps his heroic 38-point performance with the clutch trey to put the Bulls up 88-85 in Game 5 of the 1997 Finals.
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Steve Kerr takes the feed from Michael Jordan and buries the series-clinching jumper in Game 6 of the 1997 Finals.
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Michael Jordan describes the
challenges and rewards of
staying on top.
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The Bulls celebrate winning their fifth NBA championship.
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ALL-STAR HIGHLIGHTS
Michael Jordan dishes to fellow Bull Scottie Pippen to become the first player in All-Star history to score a triple-double.
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Michael Jordan misses the free throw, but Christian Laettner grabs the board and gives it right back to MJ, who finishes strong with the dunk.
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Still crafty after all these years, Jordan soars down the lane and slams home the missed Grant Hill free throw.
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STREAMING VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Flu Doesn't Stop Jordan in 1997 NBA Finals
Ravaged by the flu, Jordan scored 38 points in Game 5, including the tie-breaking three-pointer with 25 seconds left to lift the Bulls over the Jazz 90-88.
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