Remember that top 10 list we put together before the Bulls-Celtics series? The one that listed the best playoff games in Chicago franchise history? Yeah, let's just say it's had a few additions since then. Let's take a look at where some of these new classics rank among the old ones ...
10. Rose has a playoff debut to remember
Game 1, 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Everybody knew Derrick Rose was good, but in his first playoff game, he proved why he has the chance to be special. The 20-year-old phenom had 36 points, 11 assists and four rebounds as the Bulls stunned the defending champions in Boston.
9. The NBA title comes to Chicago
Listen
Game 5, 1991 NBA Finals
Like so many others in his career, the image of Michael Jordan clutching the Larry O'Brien trophy for the first time and sobbing is indelible. This game capped a playoff run in which the Bulls went 15-2 and finally overcame the ghosts of years gone by with a 4-1 Finals series victory over the Lakers.
8. MJ is in the zoneListen
Game 1, 1992 NBA Finals
Will anyone ever forget the look on MJ's face during the first half, in which he hit six 3-pointers? Jordan was so locked in against the Blazers that at one point, he looked over at Magic Johnson, who was broadcasting the game for NBC, and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "Hey, I can't believe it, either."
7. Kerr clinches ring No. 5Listen
Game 6, 1997 NBA Finals
Steve Kerr sat on the Bulls' bench toward the end of the game and had a message for His Airness: "I'll be ready." The sharpshooting guard wasn't lying. When the Jazz swarmed Jordan, he found Kerr at the top of the key for a wide-open jumper that gave the franchise its fifth title.
6. Noah stuffs Pierce, Celtics in triple-overtime
Game 6, 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
With the game tied at 123, Joakim Noah decided to take matters into his own hands. He stepped in front of Paul Pierce, stole the ball, dribbled it all the way down the floor and then stuffed it on the Celtics star. An exhausted Pierce fouled out of the game on that play, and the dunk gave the Bulls a lead they would never relinquish.
5. MJ's 63 not enough to beat CeltsListen
Game 2, 1986 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Boston Garden was the home of many great performances over the years, but no player ever put on the type of show Jordan did in that game. He scored 63 points and prompted this quote from Hall of Famer Larry Bird: "I didn't think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us. He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it's just God disguised as Michael Jordan."
4. "A shot on Ehlo
GOOOOOOOOD!"Listen
Game 5, 1989 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
MJ sent the Bulls to the Eastern Conference semis with this buzzer-beater over Cavs forward Craig Ehlo, the first playoff series victory of Jordan's career. According to Wikipedia, "The Shot" was the first game-winner in Jordan's illustrious playoff career and was made even more memorable by Jim Durham's famous call.
3. The Flu GameListen
Game 5, 1997 NBA Finals
Jordan battled through a bad case of food poisoning to lead the Bulls to a crucial Game 5 victory in Utah, surprising almost everybody in the process. At times it looked like he might pass out on the floor, but in Jordanesque fashion, he ended up with 38 points and played almost the entire game. "The way he looked, there's no way I thought he could even put on his uniform," Scottie Pippen said after the game. "I'd never seen him like that. He looked bad -- I mean really bad."
2. Paxson clinches three-peatListen
Game 6, 1993 NBA Finals
The Suns focused so much on Jordan that they forgot all about John Paxson lurking around the 3-point line. The diminutive guard made them pay, hitting a clutch 3-pointer that gave the Bulls the first NBA three-peat since the Celtics of the 1960s.
1. Jordan caps Chicago career in styleListen
Game 6, 1998 NBA Finals
Jordan pulled up from the top of the key, gave Utah's Bryon Russell a little push and drilled the game-winning shot, giving the franchise its sixth NBA title. You've seen the play a million times, and it will go down in history as the last shot Jordan ever took in a Bulls uniform. As he held his hand in the air, you got the sense that it was the perfect ending to a stellar career. (Let's just forget the whole Washington episode happened.)
Honorable Mention
Gordon goes for 42 but can't topple Boston's Allen
Game 2, 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
UConn coach Jim Calhoun had to be beaming while watching two of his former players duel. Ben Gordon hit difficult shots from all over the floor, but, in the end, he couldn't compete with Ray Allen's heroics. The Boston guard drilled a 3-pointer with two seconds to play in overtime, giving the Celtics the win and evening up the epic series.
Gordon is clutch, Bulls win in 2OT
Game 4, 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
When the Bulls needed Gordon most, he delivered. Playing with a strained groin, the diminutive guard had 22 points, hitting several huge shots to lead the Bulls back from the edge of defeat.
Theus scores 37, upends Knicks
Game 2, 1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Bulls weren't supposed to beat the Knicks
but Reggie Theus didn't care what the "experts" said. The young guard exploded for a career-high 37 points, leading the Bulls past the Knicks in this 115-114 OT thriller. Theus said it was the loudest he ever heard the old Chicago Stadium.
Phoenix prevails in 3OT
Game 3, 1993 NBA Finals
Charles Barkley & Co. outlasted Jordan & Co., giving the Suns their first win of the series. Of course, MJ racked up 55 points in the following game and put the Bulls on the verge of their third straight title, but this game gave the series legitimacy and goes down as one of the all-time greats in NBA history.
Pippen takes a seat
and Kukoc drains the bucket:
Game 3, 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals
The final play against the Knicks was drawn up for Toni Kukoc, and Scottie Pippen endured his "1.8 seconds of shame." Sports Illustrated's Phil Taylor wrote: "Pippen's desertion of his teammates in Game 3 is likely to cast a bigger shadow over his career than Jordan ever did."
"Oh, what a move by Jordan!"Listen
Game 2, 1991 NBA Finals
After MJ's game-tying shot attempt rattled out in Game 1, the Lakers took home-court advantage from the Bulls. But the Bulls answered emphatically in Game 2. Jordan made 13 consecutive field goals, the last of which was the right-handed-dunk-turned-lefty-layup that elicited cries of joy from Marv Albert, and the trouncing set the tone for the rest of the series.