Episode VI
1993. Some of the shine started to evaporate off of Michael Jordan. The book Jordan Rules by Sam Smith had something to do with that. There was speculation about who was talking to Sam Smith. The finger was pointed at Horace Grant (who denied it) by some but others think there had to be more than one person talking to Smith.
The Bulls make it to the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals where they play the New York Knicks. The Bulls don't have the home court advantage so the first two games are played in New York. The Knicks win the first two games. Jordan was seen coming back from Atlantic City the night before Game 2. His past experience with gambling leads to speculation about his commitment to the team by outsiders.
Jordan and the Bulls come back and win the next two games which are played in Chicago to tie up the series 2-2. The Bulls win the next two games in New York to win the series and move on to the NBA finals where they face the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are led by Charles Barkley and had the best record in the league that year. Chicago wins the first two games, in Phoenix and look like they are going to sweep the Suns.
Phoenix refuses to roll over and die. The Suns win game 3 in Chicago, which goes to triple overtime. Chicago comes back and wins game 4 which puts them ahead 3-1. They need just one more game to win the series. Game 5 is played in Chicago but the Suns win it by 10 points. The series moves back to Phoenix and lasts just one more game that the Bulls win. The Suns are up by four with less than half a minute to go in the game. Jordan scores a basket and then John Paxson hits a 3-point shot to win the game.
1998. The Bulls clinch home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Michael tires of all the attention but continues to play strong.
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