Rookie Michael Jordan crunch time 2-way takeover & 1st career game winner in 8th NBA game!

Michael Jordan had already wow'ed the fans in Chicago, Detroit, and New York all within his first 7 appearances, as a rookie. So, what would Michael Jordan do to raise the bar? Hit a game winner in his 8th game, as a rookie, of course. MJ was a cold blooded crunch time competitor, and he displayed that insatiable desire from the moment he stepped on an NBA basketball court. The even more incredible part of Michael Jordan's game winner against the Pacers was the way his teammates froze him out of the offense, for long stretches during the game, due to their own aggressive shot attempts... but MJ still got the job done in crunch time, without the extra reps to find a true rhythm. Clark Kellogg, Herb Williams, and Jim Thomas combined for 77 points, and they, along with Steve Stipanovich, had the Chicago Bulls on the ropes. But when Michael got the ball in his hands, during crunch time, the Bulls win was inevitable... even if MJ was just 8 games in to his NBA career.

(1984-85 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
2:30 - Game begins
3:17 - Jim Thomas elbow jumper
3:28 - Jim Thomas corner jumper
4:03 - Jim Thomas strong drive to the basket (MJ gets caught reaching but doesn't get the ball out)
4:40 - Jerry Sichting fadeaway jumper
4:57 - Clark Kellogg strong finish in transition
5:48 - Herb Williams post-up turnaround jumper
6:45 - Air Jordan gets open off the ball for the dunk
7:03 - Herb Wililams post-up turnaround jumper
7:14 - Michael Jordan wet jumper
7:41 - Steve Stipanovich with the post up turnaround jumper
8:08 - Bill Garnett dunks on Orlando Woolridge
8:36 - Michael Jordan works hard for this bucket against a triple team
8:52 - Herb Williams dunk
9:00 - Terence Stansbury wide open catch & shoot jumper
9:33 - Michael Jordan hang time scoop layup in traffic
9:58 - Michael Jordan top of key jumper
10:06 - Michael Jordan steal & transition assist
11:19 - Clark Kellogg pull-up jumper
12:08 - Michael Jordan strong take baseline to the hoop
12:32 - Michael Jordan hang time acrobatic double pump layup
13:17 - Steve Stipanovich elbow jumper
14:43 - Jim Thomas jumper from the corner
14:58 - Michael Jordan blocks and rips the ball away from Steve Stipanovich
15:15 - Steve Stipanovich elbow jumper
15:32 - Steve Stipanovich wraps MJ up in the open court with a physical foul
16:30 - Michael Jordan baseline jumper
18:06 - Clark Kellogg steal & transition bucket
18:35 - Caldwell Jones vs Steve Stipanovich & it's 1980's WWF Basketbrawl time
21:33 - Jim Thomas tough crunch time elbow jumper through contact
22:02 - Michael Jordan crunch time drive & dish to Dave Corzine on the baseline
22:28 - Michael Jordan clutch block
22:48 - Michael Jordan clutch block
23:16 - Michael Jordan clutch free throw (1/2)
23:27 - Jim Thomas clutch 3
23:40 - Michael Jordan's 1st career game winning jumper


Michael Jordan greatest games series playlist (games in chronological order here):    • Michael Jordan's Greatest 1980's Regu...  

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Blitz Sports Network PSA: Always remember, the individuals who say "Michael Jordan didn't face great competition in his era" are trying to tell you something IMPORTANT. They are trying to tell you that they didn't watch the Michael Jordan era, and there are much better things you could be doing with your time rather than listening to their takes on an era they didn't even watch. Would you go to someone for an opinion on Shakespeare if they had never seen the plays Macbeth, Hamlet, or Othello? Of course you wouldn't. Consider the source. Nobody who watched that era would trash the talent all around the league. Michael Jordan played in a great era with a great blend of fierce competitors, awe inspiring athletes, lock down defenders, knock down shooters, and ultra skilled ballers.