Airing It Out Jordan, Who Has A Long List Of Hits, Puts Positive Spin On Winning Shots

Michael Jordan’s greatest hits, those buzzer-beating, game-winning shots that have defined his career and decimated defenders, should be cataloged.

Not even Jordan, though, can keep track.

“I’ve had so many,” he said, “I can’t remember them all.”

In a Nike TV ad, Jordan gets out of his car, heads for the locker room and claims to have missed 26 potential game-winners over the years.

“It’s probably more than that, to be exact. It’s only an ad. I didn’t do the research. I say what they tell me to say,” Jordan said Monday, a day after his buzzer-beater gave Chicago a 1-0 lead over Utah in the NBA Finals.

“I assumed they did their homework and I like to think they are correct. I’m just glad it wasn’t 27.”

Bulls coach Phil Jackson looked at it this way: “Michael says he’s been allowed to take the shot 26 times (and missed). He’s probably been successful about 50 times.”

Jordan’s jumper to give the Bulls an 84-82 victory provided instant flashbacks:

The skinny freshman (still with hair) hitting a shot to give North Carolina the 1982 NCAA title. “The Shot” - Jordan somehow beating Craig Ehlo’s skin-tight defense to oust the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1989 playoffs. The winning jumper over Atlanta’s Steve Smith in 1995 in his fourth game back from a baseball career that never blossomed.

“I did have a game-winning shot in high school, although it didn’t mean anything,” Jordan recalled, pressing his memory bank for reporters.

“I guess my most memorable shot was 1982, that’s easy. Cleveland, certainly. That’s the only two I can remember. I’m getting senile, I guess.”

Instinct. Your past. Confidence. Those are ingredients he’s used when called upon in the closing seconds, and he called upon them again Sunday as he maneuvered around Bryon Russell to make his 19-foot jumper.

“You’ve got to be very positive and don’t go into the situation: ‘What if I miss this?’ I think of the situation: ‘Once I make this get back on defense,”’ Jordan said.

He didn’t have to worry about getting back on defense Sunday because the game was over. And so, said Jordan, is the celebration.

“If it had given us a championship, I would talk about it all summer long,” Jordan said. “But if I sit here and talk about one shot in the first game, the other games will slip right past us.”

Jordan’s latest game-winner wasn’t the only subject he addressed Monday. Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in interviews published Monday that he wants Jordan to stay with the team.

Jordan, however, didn’t budge from what he’s been saying for months - he only wants to play if Jackson comes back as coach.

“As long as we are playing the game of basketball and Phil Jackson is my coach, I’m going with the organization wherever they go,” Jordan said. “If anything changes from that, I’ll be with the organization in spirit.”

Jordan reiterated he wouldn’t go with Jackson to another team but would wish him well. He added that he expects Jackson to return.

“I have confidence he is going to be back with the Bulls. I think everyone knows Phil is probably the best coach in the business right now, the way I perceive it,” he said.

Shrewd businessman and marketer that he is, Jordan acknowledged it would be a decision based on money, not so much the Bulls’ desire to make a change.

“What value do you want to put on five championships? For a coach or for a player or for a sense of loyalty,” Jordan asked, already adding this year’s title to the Bulls’ total even though they need three more wins over the Jazz.

“That’s something that Reinsdorf can only determine. And Phil in terms of his asking price. I don’t know what that is. Let’s hope they can come to an agreement.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: 23: Jordan’s number and more Michael Jordan made the game-winner Sunday night at the buzzer to give the Chicago Bulls the victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Times looked back throughout Jordan’s career and found out that his last shot or free throws have directly resulted in 23 Bulls victories. An interesting footnote: Don’t bet against Jordan on Nov. 11. He’s hit the game-winner three times on that day. Below is a breakdown.

Date Score Opponent Description 11-11-84 118-116 Indiana 12-footer with 4 seconds left 12-7-84 95-93 New York 18-footer, 5 seconds left 3-26-85 120-119 Indiana 2 free throws, 5 seconds left 4-24-85 109-107 Milwaukee 18-footer, 17 seconds left 10-25-85 116-115 Cleveland 2 free throws, 8 seconds left 11-11-86 112-110 Atlanta driving layup, 9 seconds left 11-21-86 101-99 New York 18-footer, 1 second left 1-30-88 97-95 New York 18-footer, 2 seconds left 2-12-88 95-93 Milwaukee 2 free throws, 2 seconds left 4-3-88 112-110 Detroit 2 free throws, 4 seconds left 4-15-88 100-99 New Jersey 15-footer, 8 seconds left 2-16-89 117-116 Milwaukee 20-footer, 1 second left 5-7-89 101-100 Cleveland 17-footer, at buzzer 5-20-89 113-111 New Jersey 2 free throws, 4 seconds left 5-27-89 99-97 Detroit 10-footer, 3 seconds left 11-13-90 84-82 Utah 15-footer, at buzzer 1-22-92 115-112 Charlotte layup, free throw, 9 seconds 11-11-92 98-96 (OT) Detroit 30-footer, at buzzer 5-17-93 103-101 Cleveland 15 footer, at buzzer 3-25-95 99-98 Atlanta 16-footer, at buzzer 2-12-97 103-100 Charlotte 22-footer, at buzzer 3-18-97 89-87 (OT) Seattle 2 free throws, 8 seconds left 6-1-97 84-82 Utah 19-footer, at buzzer