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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jack Simone

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith takes subtle jab at Bulls legend Michael Jordan

The Chicago Bulls ran the 1990s. More specifically, Michael Jordan ran the 1990s. His Bulls won six championships over the course of eight years, completely dominating the rest of the league. The only two years they didn’t win over that stretch was when Jordan retired to go play baseball.

For two years in a row, the Bulls took on the Utah Jazz in the Finals, and both years, they won. One of the two matchups produced one of the most iconic shots in NBA history when Jordan stepped back and nailed a mid-range shot to help clinch the 1998 Finals in Utah.

However, to this day, Jazz fans believe Jordan pushed off Bryon Russell en route to hitting the shot. Jazz owner and long-time fan Ryan Smith even named Utah’s in-arena WiFi after the moment, taking a subtle jab at Jordan in the process. (H/t The Pat McAfee Show)

“There was a lot of discussion happening between Michael Jordan and the Jazz fans that year I remember,” Smith said. “Whether it was the pizza, getting sick, going to Vegas, whatever it was. The WiFi in the building is ‘Jordan pushed off.'”

Jazz fans are clearly still upset over the call, but while they reminisce in anger, Jordan will be polishing his sixth ring.

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