After struggling to find success in the 80s, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls finally got over the hump to win a championship just after the start of a new decade. The Chicago Bulls bested Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA finals. And the rest is history. However, the finer details of the grueling series are not privy to the casual fan.

Did you know that Phil Jackson instructed Jordan to hand over the reins to another Bulls player in the series’ final game? And no, it was not Scottie Pippen.

In one of the excerpts from his New York Times bestseller autobiography ‘Unguarded’, Scottie Pippen gives a POV of the first championship run of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. The insight gives us a rare look at the team’s disposition during the intense battle against the Lakers. Moreover, Pippen also revealed how the legendary coach Phil Jackson made a huge adjustment in the final minutes, which secured the win.

Phil Jackson sidelined Michael Jordan in the final minutes of the 1991 NBA finals

The pressure was at an all-time high in the final minutes of Game 5 at Staples Center. With less than five minutes left, both teams were tied at 93. However, Phil Jackson wasn’t pleased. During one of the timeouts, he made a bold adjustment. The veteran coach asked Michael Jordan, which player ‘was open whenever the Lakers ganged up on him.’ Jordan uttered the name of John Paxson. Jackson then exclaimed, “Then get him the ball!” Trusting his coach and his teammate, Jordan did precisely what Jackson told him for the remainder of the game. 

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In a shocking turn of events, the Bulls started to take control of the game under the reins of 6’2” guard John Paxson. Owning to his shooting prowess, Paxson took over the Bulls’ offense. Moreover, Paxson swished an 18-footer at the top of the key to put the Bulls ahead by four with less than a minute to go.

However, Scottie Pippen put the final nail in the coffin. Pippen secured the win by making two free throws on the charity stripe. According to his words, “That was it.” The day marked the birth of the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90s. 

This incident started the process of Michael Jordan trusting his teammates. Therefore, it was a pivotal move for the Bulls’ roster, including stars like Scottie Pippen. “It was about time,” Pippen commented on Jordan starting to trust his teammates and Phil Jackson’s coaching.

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Going into Game 5, the Bulls were up by 3-1 against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Scottie Pippen struggled in the four games prior. Moreover, in the POV from the excerpt in his book, Pippen’s qualms leading up to the closeout game were evident. However, Pippen’s woes in the series were vindicated after Paxon made the shot and secured the title.