Full Game: The 51-Point "Con Man" Response | Michael Jordan vs Knicks (January 21, 1997) скачать в хорошем качестве

Full Game: The 51-Point "Con Man" Response | Michael Jordan vs Knicks (January 21, 1997)

This full game archive captures the January 21, 1997, regular-season contest between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks, a game defined by a calculated verbal jab and a legendary on-court rebuttal. Ahead of the matchup, Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy accused Michael Jordan of using friendships to disarm opponents before dominating them, a comment that provided the fuel for one of Jordan's most pointed offensive explosions of the season. Jordan's subsequent 51-point performance serves as a historical document of his unique ability to transform external criticism into competitive motivation, ultimately securing an 88-87 victory for the Bulls. Timestamped Index: 00:00:06 - Broadcast opens detailing Jeff Van Gundy's pre-game comments accusing Jordan of being a "con man" who "strikes like a viper." 08:04 - The Knicks begin the game with a clear strategy, forcing a shot-clock violation on Jordan's first possession. 14:23 - Scottie Pippen, coming off a poor shooting night, hits an early three-pointer, asserting himself offensively. 19:32 - An offensive foul on Larry Johnson leads to a technical foul on Jeff Van Gundy. 23:41 - Pippen caps a 10-0 personal scoring run with a driving layup to tie the game at 21-21. 31:32 - Jordan closes the 1st quarter with a three-pointer, giving him 18 points in the period. 42:22 - The broadcast discusses the Knicks' tactical plan: let Jordan shoot to wear him out for the 4th quarter. 43:12 - A double technical foul is called on Michael Jordan and Chris Childs for jawing off the ball. 1:08:07 - Chris Childs hits a three-pointer to give the Knicks a 57-56 lead, their first since the opening quarter. 1:11:01 - Jordan responds immediately, converting a layup that ignites an 18-4 Bulls run to end the 3rd quarter. 1:21:10 - Jordan hits a three-pointer to score his 41st point and extend the Bulls' lead to 15. 1:28:48 - A Charlie Ward three-pointer cuts the Bulls' lead to 80-75, capping a 14-2 Knicks run. 1:40:55 - Jordan scores in the post to reach 49 points with under a minute remaining. 1:42:23 - Jordan hits a pull-up jumper for his 50th and 51st points, then stares down the Knicks bench. 1:46:45 - Jordan's post-game interview confirming Van Gundy's comments provided motivation. The Bulls-Knicks rivalry was the defining conflict of the Eastern Conference in the 1990s, and this mid-season encounter added a significant chapter written in psychological warfare. The narrative was set before tip-off when Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, a Pat Riley protégé, offered a pointed analysis of Michael Jordan's competitive nature. [cite_start]Van Gundy claimed Jordan lulled opponents "into a false feeling of friendship and then strikes like a viper." [cite: 1] [cite_start]He elaborated, stating Jordan would befriend players, "pat him on the ass, and then... go out there and kick their ass." [cite: 5] [cite_start]Bulls coach Phil Jackson confirmed he shared these remarks with Jordan before the game, ensuring the words found their intended target. [cite: 1, 1039] Playing without the suspended Dennis Rodman and injured Ron Harper, the Bulls needed an exceptional performance. [cite_start]The Knicks' strategy was to let Jordan carry the offensive load, hoping to fatigue him for the crucial final six minutes. [cite: 41, 880] For a time, the plan seemed viable. After the Bulls built a double-digit lead, New York clawed back, taking a 57-56 lead late in the third quarter on a Chris Childs three-pointer. That moment, however, triggered Jordan's response. [cite_start]He personally ignited an 18-4 run to close the quarter, scoring 12 of those points himself. [cite: 757] As the Knicks mounted a final comeback in the fourth, cutting the lead to just three points, Jordan took complete control. [cite_start]Defying Van Gundy's strategy, he took seven shots in the final six minutes, making clutch jumpers and controlling the game's outcome. [cite: 1013] His final basket, a pull-up jumper to reach 51 points, was followed by a prolonged, intense stare directly at Van Gundy and the Knicks bench. In his post-game interview, when asked about the look, Jordan simply confirmed, "I did." Years later, during his Fall of Fame Induction Speech, he would elaborate: "So you guys, I must say thank you very much for giving me that motivation that I desperately needed." Jordan finished with a season-high 51 points on 18-for-30 shooting, a direct and dominant answer to a rival's challenge.