He played 44 minutes
If people are wondering why Jordan is a six-time champion and why Karl Malone failed to beat him twice in the NBA finals, they need only look at this game. Not so much the play on the court, but how long each man played. Malone, who was perfectly healthy, logged 34 minutes on the court. Jordan, who was dangerously sick, played an absurd 44 minutes. People can talk about the athleticism and physical prowess all they want. That’s not what made Jordan the greatest of all-time. It was his heart and unyielding will to win.
That night showcased it better than any other in his career.
