The seventh installment of ESPN’s docuseries on the 1997-98 Bulls, “The Last Dance,” highlighted the first-round matchup between Chicago and the John Calipari-led New Jersey Nets. Among the highlights from that season used in the episode was a clip of then ESPN anchor Brian Kenny quoting Michael Jordan, saying:
Michael Jordan actually said, to lose a game to the Nets, his team would have to ‘fall asleep.’
The Nets then gave the Bulls a scare in Game 1, but Chicago ultimately prevailed and won the opening contest of the series 96-93. The Bulls would go on to win the series in three games, en route to another NBA title.
Former Nets wing Kendall Gill remembers how the Nets almost got the better of Chicago in Game 1. He had something to say about Jordan’s comment when he appeared on WFAN’s Joe & Evan on Monday:
You know, Game 1 we almost caught ’em, they were taking a nap. But they woke up at the end. With the team being so young, I don’t think Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn really knew any better. They were like, we just playing basketball. They didn’t really realize we were playing the Chicago Bulls dynasty.
The retired Net also recalled the play in the final minute of overtime in Game 1 when the score was 91-91 and Jordan picked Kittles pocket, then scored on a fast break and went to the line after Gill tried to stop him:
That’s why I’m still mad at Kerry Kittles — because he didn’t run the play he was supposed to run. Coming out of the huddle, Calipari draws up a play, all right, Kerry you’re going to get the ball. Michael Jordan’s on you. Swing the ball to Kendall, who had Tony Kucoc on him and just let Kendall take him one-on-one. What does Kerry Kittles decide to do? He decides to try to take Michael Jordan by himself.
So, Michael steals the basketball and he’s got like three or four steps on me. But I really think that I can catch him because I had success against Michael, guarding him. Blocking his shots and things like that. Not on the fastbreak, but blocking his jump shot and everything. But I still thought that I had an opportunity to get it. And it was the last seconds of the game, it was a key play. The only thing was he jumped before I did and, unfortunately, I fouled him and here I am, what, 22 years later still having to answer questions about that. Anytime my brother wants to shut me up, he sends me that play.