May 18, 20201 min

"The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays"

The 1998 NBA Finals was memorable enough that it often overshadows the 1997 NBA Finals, which also featured a six-game series between the Bulls and Jazz.

In it, Michael Jordan hit a Game 1 winner and Steve Kerr hit a Game 6 winner. (“I guess I gotta bail Michael out again.”)

Another forgotten great moment: With nine seconds left in Game 1, with the score tied at 82, Karl Malone went to the free throw line with a chance to take the lead. In a moment of uncharacteristic mischievousness, Scottie Pippen strode by Malone and whispered, "The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays."

It was indeed Sunday and Malone was nicknamed the Mailman, and the Mailman proceeded to brick two free throws, setting up Jordan’s game-winner.

ESPN released an oral history of that moment today. You can read ithere.


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