Eastern Conference Champions 1998
The curtain call for the greatest dynasty ever assembled.
The 1998 Eastern Conference Championship wasn't merely another trophy; it was the final breath of the Jordan-era Bulls. This title capped a second three-peat, cementing a legacy that remains unmatched in NBA history.
- Team
- Chicago Bulls
- Conference
- Eastern Conference
- Head Coach
- Phil Jackson
- Key Players
- Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
- Finals Opponent
- Utah Jazz
- Series Result
- Won 4-2
Lore & Background
The path to the Finals demanded resilience. Chicago survived a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, overcoming a 2-1 deficit with clutch performances from Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. In the NBA Finals, they faced the Utah Jazz again—this time rewriting history after their 1997 loss. Jordan's legendary 'Last Shot' in Game 6 at the Delta Center did more than win a game; it secured back-to-back championships, completing a second three-peat that seemed impossible to sustain.
In Their Own Story
The air in the Delta Center was thick with the scent of sweat and desperation. The clock ticked down, the crowd roaring for the Jazz, but Michael Jordan moved with a terrifying calmness. He dribbled past Bryon Russell, pulled up at the top of the key, and released the ball just as the buzzer sounded. As the net snapped back, the silence that followed was heavier than any noise in the arena, broken only by the realization that an era had officially ended.
Reader's Guide
The Chicago Bulls captured their sixth NBA title during the 1997-98 season, concluding their second three-peat run. This victory marked the final act for the core trio of Michael Jordan (age 35), Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman under Phil Jackson before the team's historic dissolution. The road included a physical seven-game series against Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals, followed by a defensive battle with Utah in the Finals. The significance extends beyond the ring; it completed six championships in eight years, establishing the Bulls as the defining franchise of the decade and setting a standard for dynasty construction that has never been replicated.
Did You Know?
- This was the last time Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls before his second retirement.
- The series clincher featured the iconic 'Last Shot' by Michael Jordan, often cited as one of the greatest moments in NBA history.
- Michael Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone on Utah's final possession of Game 6, setting up the winning shot.
- The Bulls became the first team in NBA history to win two separate three-peats.
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