4/4/26

Jay C. Brandriet

June 8th, 1991.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Lakers at the Bulls.

Fourth quarter.

You know the lay-up I’m talking about.

Michael Jordan throws a no look pass and gets it right back from Cliff Levingston.

He elevates to the hoop with the ball in his right hand.

In flight, switches it to the left hand, and softly lays it in on the other side.

We’ve seen it a thousand times.

That’s baked into why First Things First co-host Nick Wright calls it “the most overrated play in NBA history.”

You’ll have to excuse our talented friend Nick.

He excels at punching down on Jordan.

It’s also easier to disrespect something that happened, when you were six years old.

Is the shot itself shown too much?

I can see that.

Is it replayed too often in comparison to the wide variety of highlights they could show?

100%. Yes.

Over played, not overrated.

CONTEXT PLEASE

Jordan was making his NBA playoff record 13th basket in a row!

Imagine how Mike is feeling after 12 straight.

He’s in the mood, to try some stuff.

People knew they were watching an artist making a bold statement.

Number 23 was saying,

This is my game!

This is my series!

This is my league!

The crowd was blowing the roof off of Chicago stadium, as the Bulls were about to enjoy their first ever finals win.

The spirit of this shot was never about an incredible lay-up.

It was about a feeling.

It’s like Michael was playing against the game, even more than he was playing against the Lakers.

It was the gateway moment, to a dynasty.

THAT is why we see it so much.

Jay C. Brandriet