The J-Notes
Fansided

10 best individual Finals preformances in Utah Jazz history

By Jonah Kubicek

Michael Jordan (L) of the Chicago Bulls smiles while standing next to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz 07 June in the first half of game three of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The seven game series is tied at 1-1. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan (L) of the Chicago Bulls smiles while standing next to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz 07 June in the first half of game three of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The seven game series is tied at 1-1. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen (L) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Stockton 17 December during the first quarter of their NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen (L) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Stockton 17 December during the first quarter of their NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images) /

#9: Karl Malone – 1997 Game One

Another game where an individual effort wasn’t enough to propel the Jazz to victory. Malone posted 23 and 15 for a dominant double-double, but the greatest player in history simply never gave up. This will be a trend on the list: a Jazzman does excellent, but not quite enough.

#8: John Stockton – 1997 Game One

Actually, Malone did have some help in the Jazz’s first-ever Finals game. In fact, John Stockton outplayed Malone. His 12 assists and 16 points are almost expected, but he also played solid defense on everyone, swiping three steals. The defensive effort puts Stockton’s game above Malone’s, but these games are very close.

Spoiler alert: this game is the only one with multiple entries.

#7: John Stockton – 1997 Game Four

Finally, a game the Jazz won. This game was a low-scoring, defensive affair, and Stockton found himself in the middle of it. Malone outscored Stockton 23 to 17, but the point guard added 12 assists and four steals, which slightly edges out his Game One performance. Plus, the Jazz won, so that’s always a bonus.