Jordan, Bates and the legacy of jersey No. 23

JUNE 14, 1998. Delta Center, Salt Lake City. Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls. National Basketball Association Finals, Game 6. Even though the Bulls were leading the seven-match series 3-2, and just needed one final push to clinch their second hat-trick of the championship in the 1990s, the games, bar one, were exceptionally close. The Jazz were at home, but trailing behind by one Game. A win here meant they would get another opportunity to go at the Bulls and potentially win the championship.

- KALYANI MANAGALE

In the final moments of Game 6, with just 20 seconds left in the game and Jazz leading by one point, all Malone had to do was make one play. And the Jazz were about to force Game 7 on Michael Jordan's Bulls. However, that never happened. Before Malone could make up his mind to either shoot himself or pass it, Jordan came from behind and pounced. With six seconds left, he charged forward, only to take a step back and put a dagger through the Jazz, taking a lead by a point. Utah called a timeout, but the dagger was through. Stockton missed the three and the Bulls were champio