On this date in history, June 12th of 1991, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen combined for 62 points, 17 rebounds, 17 assists, and 10 steals to beat the Lakers 108-101 in Game 5 of the 91 NBA Finals. The victory gave the two Chicago legends their first of six NBA championships and prevented Magic Johnson — 16 points, 20 assists, and 11 rebounds in the loss — from winning his sixth NBA championship (in just 12 seasons).
It was also the first championship for the 25-year-old franchise.
After the game, Jordan, who finished his dominant NBA Finals performance with 30 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals, was in tears with his father and wife by his side.
“No one can ever take this away from me,” said an emotional Jordan. “This has been a seven-year struggle for me. It should get rid of the stigma of being a one-man team. We have players surrounding myself that make us an effective basketball team. I don’t know if I’ll ever have this same feeling again.”
If only he knew.
LEARNING TO FLY FULL VIDEO
Old school fans probably remember seeing this one-hour long VHS at your local Blockbuster video, right next to copies of Come Fly With Me, NBA Superstars and Dazzling Dunks & Bloopers.
THE CHAMPS APPEAR ON OPRAH
The full episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show with Jordan, Pippen, Horace Grant, Scott Williams, and Cliff Levingston after the championship.
20 YEAR CELEBRATION AND REUNION