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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Jeff Hornacek of the Utah Jazz (Otto Greule/ALLSPORT) /

#6: Jeff Hornacek – 1998 Game Two

You didn’t think this list would just be Stockton and Malone, did you? I’ll let you in on a secret: they account for eight of the ten best games, but two players snuck in there.

Jeff Hornacek was one of the best third wheels ever. Rodman, Klay Thompson, Manu Ginobili, and Chris Bosh all get an edge, but Hornacek is right there behind them. In the 1998 season, he averaged an efficient 14 points, but in Game Two of the ‘98 Finals he took it up a notch, shooting 9/14 overall and 2/3 from deep to secure 20 points in the loss. This is the only time in Jazz Finals history that someone other than Stockton or Malone led the offense. Another fun fact: Malone led the Jazz in scoring ten of the 12 games.

Hornacek tried his best, but a role player is no match for the Bulls dynasty, and the Utah Jazz lost this game with poor showings from their two stars.

#5: Byron Russell – 1997 Game Six

In the final game of the series, the Jazz were not able to hold on. This is also the game that Byron Russell decided to play out of his mind. Over the 1998 season, he was a 30% three-point shooter who only scored 10 points a night. In Game Six he decided to let it fly, hitting 5/8 threes for 17 points. It was the 12th best playoff game of his career out of 105, and it came when the Jazz needed it most. Unfortunately, the rest of the team didn’t get the memo.

#4: Karl Malone – 1998 Game Six

The last Finals game in Jazz history, the last Bulls game of Micheal Jordan’s career, and a game where Malone is best known for getting double-teamed, resulting in Jordan stripping the ball away for his poorly named “last shot.”

Despite the poor memories, Malone was on fire in this game. He shot 11/19 for 31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished seven dimes, almost getting a triple-double. Poor Malone. He did all he could except look over his shoulder and hold onto the ball.