Michael Jordan Simulator A Senseless Taunting Of Utah Jazz Fans

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

For many fans of the Utah Jazz that were following the team during its heyday with John Stockton and Karl Malone, the moment that continues to haunt them more than any other came during game six of the 1998 NBA Finals. You all know what I’m talking about.

Michael Jordan. Bryon Russell. The shot (or the shove, depending on how you look at it).

Jordan (supposedly) shaking Russell out of his shoes and sinking a jumper to clinch the title remains one of the classic moments in NBA history and source of angst for Jazz fans everywhere.

Now, through the magic of technology, there exists a basketball court where one can recreate Jordan’s dagger in an immersive environment packed complete with the Delta Center floor and a cheering crowd:

This senseless taunting of Jazz fans was a collaboration between Nike’s Jordan Brand, the video-production company Stardust and the creative wizards at AKQA. It was on display at the Jordan All-Star Weekend exhibition during the league’s mid-season break.

One can only hope that this cruel and terrible creation has since been cast back into the fires of Mount Doom from which it was spawned.

Now, personally, I’ve always been more bothered by David Benoit shooting the team out of the playoffs in their series against the Houston Rockets in 1995. After winning 60 games that season, they had a chance to close out the eventual champions at home in game five of the first round series. Alas, Benoit misfired on three-point shot after three-point shot in the final moments and the Jazz collapsed defensively, allowing the Rockets to take the game and the series after having led by a comfortable margin.

If somebody were to erect a monument to that, it would probably be harder for me to swallow. With that being said, the thought of thousands of fans delighting in Utah’s misery at the hands of His Ariness during All-Star weekend is a close second.

If only MJ had shot the ball like the guys in this video…

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