Michael's "Last Shot": Did he push Bryon Russell ?

What can be a more fairytale ending than MJ hitting the game-winning jumper in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz in a dramatic 1 minute. Let's recap the events again.

59.2 seconds left in the game and MJ ties it 83-83 a piece with a pair of freethrows after a blocking foul by John Stockton. Luckily MJ was not injured.

Then in the next play, Karl Malone throws cross-court to John Stockton who was left alone by Ron Harper. Harper left Stockton to help out Pippen who was guarding Antoine Carr beneath the basket. 43.7 seconds. Stockton catches the skipout pass and nails the three pointer. Utah Jazz lead 86-83.

41.9 seconds in the game, an inbound pass by Pippen to MJ. MJ drives right pass Bryon Russell and avoids the out-stretch arms of Stockton for the lay-up in Antoine Carr's face. That took 4 seconds off the clock. Chicago is behind by 1 point, 86-85

Utah Jazz possession and 37.1 seconds left. Karl Malone post-up Dennis Rodman for what could be the game sealer. But MJ sneaks up from his blind-side, reaches out and swipes the ball down Malone's feet at 21.4 seconds. Malone was surprised and fell as he tried to recover the ball between his massive legs. Sneaky MJ never cleared Jeff Hornacek and Malone did not realise this.

19.8 seconds and the fairytale ending is about to happen. MJ dribbles up along the left-side of the court.

8.8 seconds left... he drives hard to the right to beat Bryon Russell.

7.9 seconds. Stops suddenly at the top of the keyway, letting Russell go past. An off-balance Russell slips as he tries to quickly turnaround and cover MJ.

Down on his knees, 7.2 seconds in game Bryon Russell sees MJ elevate and unleash the LAST SHOT.

45 points for MJ and the Chicago Bulls lead 86-87 with 5.2 seconds in the game.

Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan calls a full-timeout. Stockton takes the three-pointer and misses. The Chicago Bulls win. Championship number 6 for MJ and Co...

Did MJ push Bryon Russell ? Check out the animated GIF below.

BELOW : Game 6 of the 97-98 NBA Finals was tough... Do you think Jordan pushed Bryon Russell ? (3.949 megabyte GIF. Takes 13 mins to load if 56k!!)

Looks pretty clean to me. MJ just wanted to "trick" Russell that he was going to penetrate for a finger roll, but instead he pulls up for the winning jumper....
Check out the nice arc on the jumper.

"That may have been [CATCHES BREATH] ....who knows what will unfold in the next several months; but that may have been the LAST SHOT Michael Jordan will ever take in the NBA" - Bob Costas NBC sports commentator right after MJ hits the game-winning last shot.