Michael Jordan is a lot of things, but a winner might be what defines him the most.
In 15 seasons, the guy only missed the postseason twice. From 1991-1998, he led his team to six NBA Championships, a perfect 6-0 in all their trips to the Finals. He’s also a 5x MVP, 6x Finals MVP, and a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
Could anybody have predicted all that Jordan accomplished?
Maybe not, but Jordan himself knew he was going to win his sixth months before it actually happened. In a postgame interview during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, Jordan tells the crowd he will go on to win his sixth Championship.
“Physically, we may be a little tired. But we got the heart. Our heart is not tired and that means a lot more than the physical.
It will mean something once I’m done. You know, once I have the opportunity to reminisce about it equate the six Championships that go along with it.”
(16:25)
At the time, the Bulls were engaged in a bloody war for the Eastern Conference crown. The series went to seven games but, ultimately, it was Jordan and the Bulls who would go on to win.
Shortly after, MJ followed through on his promise, delivering the Bulls their sixth Championship in a Finals victory over the Utah Jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJvvbqAnXKw
Jordan was never one to fall short of expectations. While that season may have been his last, it was more than enough to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players ever.
And, as we saw, he had no doubts about any of it.
