Before the start of Game 4 of the series, Chicago media wrote countless articles about Jordan defying fate.
It was the era's equivalent of "the Lakers overturning the Mavericks 5-4."
It belonged to the epoch that proclaimed, "We have no rivals in the West."
It was the time of "I never flop."
All were self-deceptive nonsense.
Though already on the brink of death, clutching at straws, Chicago fans still couldn't believe the reality before them. After all, they were accustomed to victory. Even last season, without Jordan, they watched their team advance to the finals.
Now, with Michael Jordan back leading the team, the Bulls might actually be swept in the Eastern Conference Finals? Unbelievable!
Even if not swept, being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals was unacceptable.
However, considering the Bulls' performance in the first three games, whether the Magic could sweep Jordan in G4 remained uncertain, but clinching the series was a done deal.