The Jordan Challenge:
The Arrival
When: April 20, 1986. Game 2, 1st round playoffs vs. Celtics
Goal 1: Score 63+ points
Goal 2: Shoot 50%+ from the field
Goal 3: Dish out 6+ assists
One-liner: Jordan made his mark with this 63 point playoff game against a heavily favored Celtics team.
69 Points
When: March 28, 1990. Regular season game vs. Cavs
Goal 1: Score 69+ points
Goal 2: Shoot 50%+ from the field
Goal 3: Dish out 6+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: This time Jordan gets the win by dropping 69 points and putting a dent in the Cavaliers’ playoff plans.
Shootout
When: Any date in 1990. Regular season game vs. Hawks
Goal 1: Outscore Dominique
Goal 2: Hold Dominique under 25 Points
Goal 3: Dish out 5+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: Jordan and Dominique Wilkins face off in some of the all-time greatest scoring performances of the era.
Bad Boys
When: May 26, 1990. Game 3, Eastern Conference Finals vs. Pistons
Goal 1: Score 47+ points
Goal 2: Dish out 4+ assists
Goal 3: Win the game
One-liner: Jordan showed the Pistons and the world that no defensive strategy could stop him for long.
1991 NBA Finals
When: June 2 thru June 12, 1991 vs. Lakers
Goal 1: Average 31.0+ points
Goal 2: Shoot 55%+ from the field
Goal 3: Average 11+ assists
Goal 4: Win the series
One-liner: Jordan silenced the doubters by coming back from a game one embarrassment to thrash the Lakers in these Finals.
The Shrug
When: June 3, 1992. Game 1, NBA Finals vs. Blazers
Goal 1: Score 35+ points in the first half
Goal 2: Make 6+ threes in the first half
Goal 3: Hold Drexler to under 20 points
Goal 4: Win the Game
One-liner: Just to prove a point, Jordan sets the tone for the series by dominating the first half of this first Finals game.
Double Nickel
When: March 18, 1995. Regular season game vs. Knicks
Goal 1: Score 55+ points
Goal 2: Shoot 55%+ from the field
Goal 3: Dish out 2+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: After a stint with the bat, Jordan returns to New York to tear up the Knicks for 55 points and an unforgettable pass.
Father’s Day Victory
When: June 16, 1996. Game 6, 1996 Finals (last game of series as Bulls won 4-2) vs. Sonics
Goal 1: Score 22+ points
Goal 2: Grab 9+ rebounds
Goal 3: Dish out 7+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: Michael ran the table over the entire league but this fourth title would prove to be just as special as his first.
The Flu Game
When: June 11, 1997. Game 5, 1997 Finals (not the last game of the series as it went to 6) vs. Jazz
Goal 1: Score 38+ points
Goal 2: Grab 7+ rebounds
Goal 3: Dish out 5+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: A very ill Jordan still manages to both dominate the game and hit the winning shot in the last seconds of the game.
Michael’s Last Dance
When: June 14, 1998. Game 6, 1998 Finals vs. Jazz
Goal 1: Score 45+ points
Goal 2: Get 4+ steals
Goal 3: Dish out 1+ assists
Goal 4: Win the game
One-liner: With one final resounding shot, Jordan seals both his legacy and the fate of the Jazz’s championship hopes."
