Back in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone stepped to the line with just over nine seconds to go and a chance to give his team the lead over Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. The game was tied at 82.
But Scottie Pippen decided to say something to Malone that would affect the end of the contest: “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays.”
Malone missed both free throws and Jordan nailed the game-winner en route to his and Pippen’s fifth ring.
It’s one of the greatest trash talk lines ever uttered, yet it wasn’t covered in The Last Dance for some reason. And look, I get it: even with 10 parts to the documentary, you can’t cover EVERYTHING. Thank goodness ESPN’s Dave Fleming put together an oral history of the Pippen line that was published last week.
"The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays."
Pippen to Karl Malone in GM 1 of the 97 NBA Finals. Malone missed both FTS then MJ hits the clutch jumper.
pic.twitter.com/okj86QyTE3— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 18, 2020
Still, people were curious why it wasn’t covered at all:
Game 1 ‘97 Finals newly crowned MVP Malone steps to the line in final seconds of tie game. Pippen tells Malone before first shot: “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sunday.” Malone misses both. MJ hits game-winner. Perhaps the best trash talk in history. Did not make #LastDance.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 18, 2020
they didn't include the "Mailman don't deliver on Sunday" story and postgame interview from Game 1??????
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) May 18, 2020
they didn't include the "Mailman don't deliver on Sunday" story and postgame interview from Game 1??????
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) May 18, 2020
Skipping over Pippen’s “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays” line in Episode 9 is the most egregious error in this entire series.
— Jake Lawrence (@TheRealestRJL) May 18, 2020
“The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays” is an all-time great trash talk bite. We can’t just gloss over that, right?#TheLastDance
— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) May 18, 2020
Wait, so they showed Scottie choking on FTs to set up Reggie, but then don't show Scottie saying "Mailman don't deliver on Sundays" and Malone bricking FTs to set up Jordan?!!! COME ON!!!!
— Mike Lynch (@SportInfo247) May 18, 2020
Wait, so they showed Scottie choking on FTs to set up Reggie, but then don't show Scottie saying "Mailman don't deliver on Sundays" and Malone bricking FTs to set up Jordan?!!! COME ON!!!!
— Mike Lynch (@SportInfo247) May 18, 2020
What they didn't show was the 2 missed free throws by Karl Malone that would of sealed the game for UTAH if I'm not mistaken…Pip told Malone before he shot, T"he Mailman dont deliver on Sunday"…#TheLastDance
— LeVelle Moton (@LeVelleMoton) May 18, 2020
Skipping “The Mailman Don’t Deliver on Sundays” is CRIMINAL. #TheLastDance
— Craig (@_craigtweets) May 18, 2020
Disappointed we didn’t get “The Mailman Doesn’t Deliver on Sunday” #TheLastDance
— Greg Thompson (@gregthompson27) May 18, 2020
At least we have the oral history, which was a fun read.
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