Michael Jordan puts on a show at the 1987 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. (Andy Hayt/SI)
GALLERY: Michael Jordan Through the Years
GALLERY: Michael Jordan’s Top 23 SI Covers
Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman at the famous 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire. (Neil Leifer/SI)
SI VAULT: Ali’s secret plan leads to shocking upset over Foreman (11.11.74)
Pat Riley backs down Phil Jackson during a 1972 game between the Lakers and Knicks. The two would win a combined 16 championships as coaches. (Walter Iooss Jr./SI)
Finals Game 5, referred to as “The Flu Game”, was one of Michael Jordan’s most memorable. The day before Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus He finished the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. With only a few seconds remaining and the game finally in hand, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen’s arms.
