Jordan: Flu Game

June 11, 1997.  It’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals.  It comes down to this game; gotta make it count.  I feel awful.  Night shivers and terrors, excessive sweating, hot and cold all the time: the flu?  Pippen said I look horrible.  Personnel said food poisoning or stomach virus?  Whatever it is, I gotta fight it……

First Quarter

My speeds down.  I’m slugging down the court.  I can’t go out like this, can’t let the team down like this.  I’m all over the place.  Fight it Michael….

Second Quarter

I got this.  Utah with a 16-point lead?  Nah.  My speed’s back, fellas.  Give me the ball (*shoots*).  See? I’m fine. I. Am. Fine.  I’m strong.  I can do this, 17 shots just like that, I got this!  LET’S GO!

Halftime

Blindsided by the nausea again.  Where the hell is this coming from?  Fluids, cold towels, whatever, as long as it gets me back on that court where I belong.

Third Quarter

Michael what the hell are you doing?!  Drained of energy.  I feel like I can’t breathe.  I gotta keep it together though, I will keep it together…….  My speed’s back down.  I feel useless right now.  Useless.  Michael get it together……….

Fourth Quarter

Make it count. Make. It. Count.  This is it.  Jazz is up, score is 77-69.  That’s nothing. 12-foot shot.   I’m back, y’all!  YES, Kukoc, nice 3-pointer!  That’s what I like to see!  That’s what I’m talking about, baby!......Russell you should duck, don’t want to graze your shiny dome-head with this 18-footer…………GODDAMNIT!  Who let Stockton hit that 3? 84-81, Jazz in the lead……Hit that runner, 84-83 now, come on Bulls, we got this!......Damn Stockton, should’ve thought twice about that foul, now I get free-throws.

Yes, Michael, 85-83 now; hit this next one, hit this next one…damnit! But Kukoc with that tip, ball’s mine again, 46.5 seconds on the clock, come on Bulls, LET’S GO!......

Catch this one Pippen, YES! Oooh shouldn’t have left me open, Stockton, now you can watch me hit this shot…..88-85, Bulls up. 26.5 seconds on the clock.

……90-87, yes Bulls! Let’s work! Don’t get comfortable.  Still 6.2 seconds left, anything can happen!...........

Nice try, Hornacek, next time bud. 90-87, Bulls win game 5 – on to game 6.

Victory…..nausea. Victory….exhaustion.

                                   

                                                                        Victory.