The Chicago Bulls family is reeling after the sudden passing of beloved former player and broadcaster Stacey King at age 59. But as fans mourn, a buried story has resurfaced—one that insiders say could rewrite how we remember the 1992 NBA Finals. Sources close to the situation claim King didn’t just play a supporting role; he allegedly stepped in at a moment of crisis to prevent what could have been a devastating collapse for Michael Jordan and the dynasty.
The Game That Almost Broke the Bulls
According to reports from league historians and team insiders, Game 6 of the 1992 Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers was teetering on the edge of disaster. Chicago was trailing by a significant margin in the fourth quarter, and tensions inside the arena were reportedly reaching a boiling point. One unnamed source told us that Jordan was visibly frustrated, and whispers of a potential Game 7—a scenario the Bulls desperately wanted to avoid—were growing louder.
That’s when King, according to those present, took matters into his own hands. NBA.com notes that King scored on seven consecutive Bulls possessions, draining a bank shot that reportedly sent shockwaves through the Portland bench. “It wasn’t just the points—it was the energy,” a former teammate allegedly recalled. “Stacey was yelling, fist-pumping, getting in guys’ faces. He basically told everyone, ‘We’re not losing this game.’”
How One Unlikely Streak Changed Everything
With King’s scoring spree, the Bulls clawed back to within three points midway through the quarter. At that moment, sources say, head coach Phil Jackson made a calculated gamble: he sent Jordan back into the game. Jordan immediately sank a floater, and Portland’s composure began to fray. According to league insiders, the Trail Blazers started arguing with officials over alleged bad calls, opening the door for Chicago’s comeback.
“Scottie Pippen’s buzzer-beating three to tie the game at 85—that never happens without King holding the line first,” one analyst speculated. “If Stacey doesn’t go on that run, the whole narrative changes. You could be talking about Jordan choking in the Finals.”
A Legacy That Fans Are Only Now Understanding
King’s role in that pivotal moment has long been overshadowed by Jordan’s heroics, but those who were there say it’s time to set the record straight. “People see the highlight reels and think it was all MJ and Pippen,” a former Bulls staffer told us on condition of anonymity. “But ask anyone in that locker room—Stacey King was the reason they didn’t implode. He was the glue.”
After the 1992 championship, King went on to win two more titles with Chicago before moving on to stints with the Timberwolves, Heat, Celtics, and Mavericks. He later became a beloved television voice for the Bulls, a role he held for decades. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf released a statement calling King “a cherished member of the Bulls family” whose “connection to Chicago spanned more than three decades.”
But for many fans, this newly spotlighted story is changing how they view King’s contributions. Social media is buzzing with speculation about what might have happened if King hadn’t stepped up. “Could the Bulls have lost that series?” one trending post asks. “Reportedly, insiders say it was that close.”
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