The NBA first appeared on national television in the United States in 1962, marking one of the first milestones of the golden age of television in North America. It was then that televisions, although bulky, began to appear en masse in middle-class homes.
Only a small portion of the games were broadcast on national television and many games could only be heard on the radio. That’s why there is no video footage of Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point performance.
The league’s popularity exploded in the early 1980s with the arrival of two superstars: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Their showdown helped the NBA finally establish itself as one of the top sports leagues in the United States. In the 1990s, popularity peaked, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s take a look at the five highest-rated games in history.
5. June 12, 1998. Chicago Bulls-Utah Jazz. Game 5 of the final series: 30.6 million viewers
The video can be viewed on the NBA’s YouTube channel. The video is copyrighted by NBA MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.
In Game 5 of the series, Chicago was leading 3-1. This game could have been Michael Jordan’s last in a Chicago Bulls uniform, which naturally captured the attention of millions of viewers.
Karl Malone had one of his best games in the Finals, scoring 39 points to help Utah extend its run. Michael Jordan had a chance to win the game with a three-pointer at the final whistle, but the shot was too difficult and the ball missed the rim.
4. June 11, 1997. Utah Jazz-Chicago Bulls. Game 5 of the final series: 31 million viewers
The video can be viewed on the NBA’s YouTube channel. The video is copyrighted by NBA MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.
Yes, this is the same game as the flu. Even before the start of the game, it was known that Michael Jordan was sick. He was reported to be suffering from a runny nose, vomiting, shaking, and profuse sweating. Jordan’s trainer reported that he spent the entire day before the game in bed, experiencing severe dehydration.
The coaching staff insisted that Jordan miss the game, but with the score at 2-2 in the series, Game 5 was the deciding game. That’s when Michael stepped out onto the court.
Jordan looked extremely tired and Utah took advantage of this, building a 16-point lead in the second quarter. However, Michael recovered, scoring 17 points in twelve minutes and tying the score. 25 seconds before the final siren, he scored an open three-pointer that became the winner. Jordan finished with 38 points, seven rebounds and three steals. True heroism.
3. June 19, 2016. Golden State Warriors-Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 7 of the finals: 31.02 million viewers
The video can be viewed on the NBA’s YouTube channel. The video is copyrighted by NBA MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.
Since the 2010s, TV ratings have been falling due to the development of internet broadcasting (including illegal ones). But even in this era of declining television influence, one of the most watched matches in history took place. And it is hard to argue with the fact that it deserved such attention.
You remember the plot very well. An incredible story and a great sports story, one of the best in the history of basketball. Although the entire final series can hardly be considered the best due to the devastating results of most of the games, the seventh game is definitely among the most decisive in the history of American sports.
2. June 20, 1993. Phoenix Suns-Chicago Bulls. Sixth game of the final: 32.1 million viewers
The video can be viewed on the NBA’s YouTube channel. The video is copyrighted by NBA MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.
Let’s go back to the Jordan era again. The decisive game of the finals, after which Chicago made its first trip, and Michael left basketball for a couple of years. The series turned into a real battle between two superstars: Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. Michael was extremely unhappy that the Suns forward received the MVP award that season, and the legendary basketball player took it as a personal challenge.
Chicago led the series 3-2 and could have wrapped up the match in the fifth game, but Phoenix gave a decent rebuff. It seemed that the Suns had a good chance to take another game, especially on their home court. The Bulls controlled most of the match, but fell apart in the final quarter. It got to the point that the champions of the previous two seasons lost two points to the Suns a few seconds before the end.
And then one of the most legendary moments in history happened: Phoenix first tried to double-team Horace Grant, who immediately passed to John Paxson, who was left open for a three-point shot. The hit is Chicago’s third title. Jordan proved once again that experts can award prizes to anyone, but he remains the undisputed best basketball player on the planet.
1. June 14, 1998. Utah Jazz-Chicago Bulls. Sixth game of the final: 35.9 million viewers
The video can be viewed on the NBA’s YouTube channel. The video is copyrighted by NBA MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.
I don’t think you’re surprised by the first place. Even now, it remains the most legendary game in basketball history, which everyone knows about thanks to the documentary “The Last Dance.”
Chicago led the series 3-2, but Pippen was suffering from a serious back injury from the previous game. Jordan therefore needed to perform at his best to close out the series in Salt Lake City. He started by scoring 23 points in the first half.
The game was relatively even until the end. A tied score, a long-distance shot by Stockton, a layup by Jordan and then Michael’s interception, cross and game-winning shot, a moment that is still considered the most legendary in NBA history.
The basketball department of the “Championship” is actively producing materials as part of new special projects: “The best games of Russians in the NBA” and “Yegor Demin’s path to the NBA”. After reading this article, you can go to the articles of these projects by clicking on the corresponding block below.
