It’s one of the most iconic games in NBA history: Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot over Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Helped Jordan and the Bulls win their third consecutive NBA championship.
While the game is loved and cherished throughout the sporting world, for every winner there is bound to be a loser. For the Utah Jazz, they’re on the other side of the ball.
However, at least one die-hard Utah Jazz fan thinks the shot shouldn’t have counted – for the record, most Jazz fans believe Jordan delayed the shot. As a guest on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday morning, Smith discussed one of the most contentious debates in the organization’s history and his perspective.
“Jordan pushed the Wi-Fi in the building,” he said with a laugh.
Yes, jazz fans, when you enter the Delta Center for some reason and search for local Wi-Fi to connect, Smith has made it as easy as possible for you to find it. All you have to do is find the network titled “JordanPushedOff” and you’re good to go.
This subtle part of the Utah jazz experience is why Smith is so beloved across jazz country. Not only is he one of the youngest owners in the league, he’s a die-hard jazz fan who grew up in Utah and started his own company in the Beehive State. He is the heart of Utah State.
The “Jordan Push” debate has raged for 25 years, with some believing Jordan extended his forearm to separate himself from Russell — a foul by NBA standards. Jordan has always been adamant that he’s not putting it off, saying so again a few years ago in Netflix’s “The Last Dance” documentary.
While the debate may never be resolved, Smith and McAfee touched on other topics. From Dwyane Wade joining the team’s ownership to how the Jazz have changed the franchise in recent years, there’s almost nothing on the show that veers off topic.