While most Bulls fans who remember the 1998 championship run can tell you all about the Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals or Michael Jordan’s go-ahead jumper over Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the Finals in Utah, the opening round three-game sweep over the New Jersey Nets is mostly forgotten.
But don’t tell that to our Bulls analyst Kendall Gill, who only had the opportunity to compete in the playoffs five times over his 15-year NBA career, including that first round series against the Bulls in 1998.
Like many Bulls fans, Kendall watched the re-airs of Games 1 and 2 from the series Monday night on NBC Sports Chicago, and the painful memory of letting the opener slip away in overtime is still fresh in his mind.
Kendall struggled through a 5-for-14 shooting night and wound up fouling out as the Nets lost Game 1 by three points in overtime. He came back in Game 2 with a 5-for-13 shooting effort while also committing five fouls as he split his time defending Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Kendall had his best performance of the series in Game 3 in New Jersey, scoring 17 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, but the Nets were eliminated with a 15-point loss.
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Growing up in the Chicago area, Kendall took great pride in representing his hometown, and wanted to play well in front of family and friends at both Chicago Stadium and later the United Center. He also relished his matchups against Jordan, always willing to match his physical gifts and competitive fire against the best player in the league.
Many players were defeated before they even took the court against Jordan, but not Kendall. Being on the national stage in the 1998 playoffs against the two-time defending NBA champs definitely was something he savored.
Kendall only played in 27 playoff games in his career, winning nine, and averaged 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals. His best postseason came in 1993, when he helped the Charlotte Hornets reach the conference semifinals, averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals over nine games. Charlotte knocked off the veteran Celtics in the first round before falling to a powerful Knicks team in five games.
The following season brought one of the biggest disappointments of Kendall’s NBA career. Traded to Seattle in September of 1993, the SuperSonics put together the best record in the West and were heavy favorites over No. 8 seed Denver in the opening round.
That Seattle team was loaded with Kendall, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. They easily won the first 2 games at home, but then let down on the road and dropped the next two in Denver. Kendall brought it in Game 5 back in Seattle, scoring 22 points, but George Karl’s SuperSonics folded under the pressure and wound up losing by four.
That Nuggets series win is still considered one of the biggest upsets in NBA playoff history, with the image of Dikembe Mutombo clutching the ball while laying on the court in celebration still featured in any collection of great postseason moments.
Kendall would make it to the playoffs three more times, with his favored Sonics team falling to the Lakers in the opening round in 1995, his Nets team swept by the Bulls in 1998 and his Timberwolves squad, led by Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell, losing a six-game series to the Lakers in 2003 (the NBA made its first round series best-of-seven starting in 2003).
Ironically, Kendall told me he turned down an opportunity to join the Shaq and Kobe Lakers for a more lucrative contract offer from the Nets. As a matter of fact, he says he still has the Lakers jersey that general manager Mitch Kupchak gave him for the press conference. That could have brought a championship ring (or three)!
Kendall also turned down an opportunity to join the Spurs late in the 2005 season after he had decided to retire.
So, while you’re enjoying NBC Sports Chicago’s re-air of the entire 1998 Bulls’ championship run, always remember how precious it is for the players, coaches and city to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning an NBA title. So many outstanding players, like Kendall, never had the opportunity to be a part of a team that had the perfect blend of talent, chemistry, health and good luck it takes to survive four rounds of playoff series against the best teams in the league.
Through May 15, NBC Sports Chicago is airing every 1998 Chicago Bulls NBA Playoff game (21 total). Find the full schedule here.
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