PHOENIX — The comparison surfaced shortly after Kevin Durant beat the Chicago Bulls on Monday. In the final seconds, the Phoenix Suns forward nailed a double-pump jumper to help the Suns win 115-113.
If you thought Durant’s incredible shot was similar to Michael Jordan’s iconic double-pump jumper that eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the first round of the 1989 playoffs, you’re not alone. Several Bulls players from the team agreed.
NBC Sports Chicago analyst Will Perdue watched Monday night’s game from a studio in Chicago. When he saw Durant’s shot, he immediately realized the significance.
“That’s a double pump!” Perdue left the Vanderbilt Bulls heading into his rookie season during the 1989 playoffs. “It’s the same thing Jordan did against (Craig) Aiello in ’89. “I was there! “
People around him didn’t believe it.
“Watch it again,” Perdue said.
Obviously, things were different back then. The 1989 Chicago team won in the first round and it was win or go home. Phoenix’s Monday night game comes midway through the season. Unlike the 1989 game, when Chicago trailed Cleveland 100-99 when Jordan caught the ball, this game was tied when Suns guard Grayson Allen prepared to serve with 6.3 seconds left. .
But just like 1989, everyone in the building knew where the ball was going. In 1989, it was Jordan. At the Trail Center on Monday, it was Durant. Jordan had to double pump to stop Ello from blocking. Durant had to do this to prevent Alex Caruso from deflecting the ball from behind.
Phoenix’s inbounds pass went to big man Jusuf Nurkic, who passed the ball back to Durant. Chicago goes directly to Jordan. Durant dribbles with his left hand. Jordan took two.
Durant hit in both quarters and had 17 points – not bad.
Jordan double pumps and shoots from the 17 – good.
In a phone interview Wednesday, Perdue said he remembered Jordan’s shot like it was yesterday. In 1989, he was in the Bulls’ rotation behind Bill Cartwright and Dave Corzine. The game unfolded on the other end of the court, away from Chicago’s bench. Perdue stood on the baseline at Ridgefield Stadium in Cleveland. He saw Jordan jump. He saw him double pump.
On Monday, he saw Durant do the same thing, changing his shot in mid-air because Durant saw Caruso coming from behind.
“Caruso almost blocked it – and there was a defender in front of him?” Perdue said. “It’s one of those things where it’s almost like Spider-Man. He has a third eye. Or he has an eye on the back of his head or something. … Perfect timing to pump after Caruso turns around and shoots, and then puts it in Lift back up. If you notice, it’s so sheer that the net barely moves.”
How difficult was it to capture a shot like this?
“Basically, it’s like driving a car going 100 miles an hour, slam on the brakes, reverse and drive in the opposite direction,” Perdue said. “Then still put it back into first gear and go back the way you came. To do that, try to stop all the inertia, from 1 to 10, which is 12.”
The similarities don’t end with Durant’s final shot. In fact, his performance Monday night was almost identical to Jordan’s performance in 1989. check it out:
First half…
Durant made 4 of 13 shots.
Jordan ranked 5th among 13 people.
Second half…
Durant scored 30 points.
Jordan scored 30 points.
In the fourth quarter…
Durant scored 17 points.
Jordan scored 17 points.
For games…
Durant made 16 of 32 shots and scored 43 points.
Jordan made 17 of 32 shots and 17 of 44 shots.
In 1989, Sam Vincent served as the Bulls’ backup guard. In the fifth game of the victory over the Cavaliers, he played 8 minutes and scored 2 points and 2 assists. He was on the bench when Jordan broke Cleveland’s heart.
“We realized how important this moment was to winning and advancing in the playoffs, but we didn’t realize the history that would be made around ‘The Shot,'” Vincent said. “A very impactful shot. An amazing shot. One of many for Michael. But it’s huge for how the Bulls grow from there.”
Vincent missed Durant’s shot. The men’s basketball coach at Beacon Academy in Leesburg, Fla., he was watching film Monday night in preparation for Friday’s game against Keep Striving Prep.but after sports world Sent him the video and Vincent agreed to take a look.
His reaction: Oh, wow.
“After watching it a few times,” Vincent said, “I did see an incredible, incredible comparison to the one Michael shot in Cleveland.”
Vincent said both players used their unique skills to their advantage. For Jordan, it’s his hanging ability. (“I don’t understand how he stayed in the air that long,” said an astonished Cleveland center Brad Daugherty after a 1989 game.) For Durant, the problem was his length.
“I don’t think it’s a practice shot you take, but I think it’s a practice shot you take Do Practice — I know Michael practices a lot, and I believe I’ve seen footage of Kevin doing it — just being able to dribble into a position with a power drive and really improve,” Vincent said. “You do it over and over again Practice shooting over and over again, and in a game, the defense will get close. But because you’ve worked on that shot, it’s easier to manipulate the ball to make the shot. “
Durant, 35, has been playing well all season, but he’s recently taken his game to a higher level. As Western Conference Player of the Week, he scored 40 points in a home win over Indiana. One night later, I fired up the Bulls. On Wednesday, he had 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to help Phoenix beat Dallas 132-109. After a slow start, Phoenix (26-18) has won seven straight. Suddenly, those preseason championship hopes no longer seemed so unrealistic.
In the 17th season, Durant played a leading role in the reversal.
“I hope Phoenix Suns fans truly understand what they’re witnessing,” Perdue said. “It’s not about age. “It’s about greatness. “
(Photo of Durant’s game-winning shot against the Bulls on Monday: Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)