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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
Today is the 30th anniversary of Game One between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference second round series of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. I have gone ahead and rewatched this game, listing my observations of what I saw with a fresh set of eyes. Here is some background about this game.
What I remember from this day: My grade school St. Bart's had a baseball game against a rival school Immaculate Conception, actually a doubleheader early this Sunday morning. Coached by my Dad, our eighth-grade team had not won a game yet this season. However, we jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first game of the doubleheader. Somehow, we lost the game. In the second game, I pitched decent. I remember the leadoff hitter on the other team bunted the ball, which I ran down and threw to first base. My throw was a bit wide, causing our first baseman to clothesline the runner accidentally. Apparently, this didn't sit to well with my opponents. A few innings later, I reached base on a walk. As I got to the bag, the first baseman looked at me and spoke under his breath, calling me a "Little Punk." I laughed at the bully first baseman. By the way, we lost and finished without a win, though it was a very fun season. My Dad was a great coach who let us have fun. Unfortunately, we were an unmotivated group of eighth graders who weren't that good at baseball.
As a side note, St. Bart's and IC had a big basketball rivalry when I was in grade school. In seventh grade, we won all three games against the Cowboys, which beat us all three games in eighth grade. I remember getting slammed into a wall on a fastbreak against IC that season, resulting in a flagrant foul. While not as physical as the Bulls and Knicks, St. Bart's and IC did not like each other.
([email protected])
Today is the 30th anniversary of Game One between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference second round series of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. I have gone ahead and rewatched this game, listing my observations of what I saw with a fresh set of eyes. Here is some background about this game.
What I remember from this day: My grade school St. Bart's had a baseball game against a rival school Immaculate Conception, actually a doubleheader early this Sunday morning. Coached by my Dad, our eighth-grade team had not won a game yet this season. However, we jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first game of the doubleheader. Somehow, we lost the game. In the second game, I pitched decent. I remember the leadoff hitter on the other team bunted the ball, which I ran down and threw to first base. My throw was a bit wide, causing our first baseman to clothesline the runner accidentally. Apparently, this didn't sit to well with my opponents. A few innings later, I reached base on a walk. As I got to the bag, the first baseman looked at me and spoke under his breath, calling me a "Little Punk." I laughed at the bully first baseman. By the way, we lost and finished without a win, though it was a very fun season. My Dad was a great coach who let us have fun. Unfortunately, we were an unmotivated group of eighth graders who weren't that good at baseball.
As a side note, St. Bart's and IC had a big basketball rivalry when I was in grade school. In seventh grade, we won all three games against the Cowboys, which beat us all three games in eighth grade. I remember getting slammed into a wall on a fastbreak against IC that season, resulting in a flagrant foul. While not as physical as the Bulls and Knicks, St. Bart's and IC did not like each other.
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What I remember from this game: As the second game of the doubleheader winded down, I remember my friend Todd's Dad talking about the upcoming Bulls' game with me through the dugout fence. Todd's Dad mentioned that he heard Jordan might not play because of his bad back. I was taken aback, thinking there was no way Jordan would miss the game. Now I was feeling a bit worried. Anyways, my Dad dropped off several of my teammates at their homes and we got back in time to watch Game One. From what I remember, the game was a bit sloppy, though the Bulls pulled it out in the fourth quarter, with Jordan having a big game as I suspected he would.
Here is Game One between the Knicks and Bulls. I highly suggest watching the opening promo from NBC. It gets me pumped up 30 years later.
Make the jump to see the starting lineups and read my observations as I watch this game for the first time in years.
Starting Lineups: New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls
- Point Guard: Derek Harper vs. Ron Harper
- Shooting Guard: John Starks vs. Michael Jordan
- Small Forward: Anthony Mason vs. Scottie Pippen
- Power Forward: Charles Oakley vs. Dennis Rodman
- Center: Patrick Ewing vs. Luc Longley
- Head Coach: Jeff Van Gundy vs. Phil Jackson
NBC T.V. Commentators: Marv Albert with the play-by-play, Matt Guokas with the color commentary
First Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 13-9 with 6:43 remaining. Man, the introduction of the starting lineups still holds up 30 years later. Freaking amazing. As for the game, Anthony Mason is beginning the game on Michael Jordan, with Derek Harper guarding Scottie Pippen. Both teams are coming out firing. Jordan has hit 3-for-5 from the field, with his back hardly looking like an issue. Pippen is doing some major work on the boards, with three offensive boards, including a putback slam of a missed layup by Ron Harper. Chicago has 4 offensive boards and a 9-1 advantage on the glass so far. Luc Longley is off to a good start, hitting a half hook and then blocking a shot at the rim, leading to the fastbreak for Harper. Chicago is threatening to send weak-side traps on Derek Harper. The Knicks are getting good penetration. After missing his first two shots, Ewing finally connected. The only players who haven't scored are John Starks for the Knicks and Dennis Rodman for the Bulls. There has been a nice flow to this game.
First Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 23-15 with 2:43 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. Jordan is cooking, scoring 15 of Chicago's 23 points, and matching New York's output. After working Mason during the first segment, Jordan is posting up and getting what he wants against Derek Harper. Jordan hit a nice fadeaway, drew a foul on Harper on another fadeaway and then had a cutting layup off a nice pass from Longley, who has been very active. Speaking of activity, Rodman has 6 rebounds as he is back in the starting lineup. His high in the first series was 10 against the Heat. Chicago has 7 offensive rebounds and a 15-4 advantage on the glass. Ewing has hit 3 field goals so far. Starks, who was hot in the first series against Cleveland, has only taken two shots, both misses.
End of First Quarter Observations
Chicago leads 25-17 at the end of the first quarter. Ron Harper hits Scottie Pippen for a beautiful lob dunk as Pippen jab stepped Mason out of his shorts and back cut to the rim. Charlie Ward has entered for Derek Harper, who got a stinger with one minute left after Ewing ran into him crashing the offensive glass. Ward hit a nice floater and stripped the ball from Steve Kerr. The Bulls also have put in Kukoc for Rodman, who has two fouls. Jordan finishes going 6/10 from the field in the first quarter. Charles Oakley has been the Knicks' best player with several offensive boards and baskets. Starks missed a three at the end of the quarter, going 0-for-4 from the field during the first 12 minutes. New York has missed 7 of its last 8 shots.
Second Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 34-21 with 9:58 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. The Bulls have the Knicks frazzled with their aggressive defense. Steve Kerr has hit two threes, one off a Longley offensive rebound, the other off a Jordan deflection in the press. Pippen just forced a turnover off the Knicks in front of the New York bench as the Bulls are picking up full court, trapping and getting in the passing lanes. Jordan had a beautiful, one-arm, length-of-the-court pass to Pippen, who snuck downcourt after a Knicks' miss. The Bulls are really bringing the defensive intensity and making it a focal point on offense to post up New York's smaller guards, with Pippen going after the 6'4'' Hubert Davis.
Second Quarter, Under-8 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 38-27 with 7:29 remaining as the Bulls take a timeout. The Knicks are on a mini 4-0 run as the Bulls have had a few defensive breakdowns, letting Mason and Ewing get behind the defense. Chicago was up 15 points after Jordan posted and scored on Davis and then got a fastbreak dunk off a nice assist from Toni Kukoc. The Bulls did a great job of there of pushing the ball off a Knicks' miss. Prior to the mini run from the Knicks, Chicago was showing very active hands, with Kukoc and Pippen both getting deflections. Kukoc missed a three and is now 1-for-17 from deep in the playoffs.
Second Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 46-38 with 2:36 remaining. The series is now getting a bit chippy with the refs blowing a lot of whistles. Jordan and Derek Harper were whistled for double technical fouls for talking smack after Randy Brown hit a jumper off a broken play. Rodman has three fouls, but did a nice job of playing a few minutes without picking up a fourth. James Edwards picked up two quick fouls for the Bulls. Phil Jackson has played everyone off the bench except Bill Wennington. New York has picked it up offensively, with Hubert Davis hitting two jumpers for 5 points and J.R. Reid giving some nice minutes. The Knicks have overdribbled a few possessions and been called for three travels this quarter. This has been a good response by New York, which trailed by as much as 15 early in the quarter. After shooting just 8/24 from the field in the first quarter, New York is off to a blistering 10/14 (71%) shooting start this quarter.
Halftime Observations
Chicago leads 54-47 at the break. Jordan hits a ridiculous jumper with two guys in his face right before the end of the half. Jordan is the reason the Bulls are up seven, with 25 points on 10/18 from the field, including a beautiful up-and-under on Harper the possession before. The Knicks finished the half on a 24-17 burst, shooting a dazzling 68% (13/19) for the second quarter and doing a better job on the glass. Oakley has six rebounds for New York, which found great offensive rhythm in the second quarter. Ewing leads the Knicks with 14 points, on 7/13 from the field. Derek Harper had a nice driving layup and three during this last stretch. The Illinois alum was quite an underrated player in the 1980s and 1990s. Here are some relevant stats. New York shot 49% in the first half, going 21/43 from the field. Chicago was at 46% (20/44). Chicago was 11 for 11 from the free throw line while New York was 2 for 2.
Third Quarter, Under-9 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 63-52 with 8:33 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. The Knicks had the lead down to 4 points, but Chicago has gone on a 7-0 run. The United Center was feeling a bit anxious as New York got an inside basket from Mason and a jumper from Oakley. However, the Bulls have seized some momentum as Scottie Pippen had a steal and dunk and Mason was called for a technical foul after being whistled for an offensive foul on a rebound attempt. Jordan hit the technical free throw and canned a quick jumper, and just like that the Bulls are up 11. Chicago was never a team to give an inch as the Bulls would take a mile. Ewing was chewing out Mason for his lack of discipline and composure. Jordan has 30 points, hitting 2 of 3 shots so far this half.
Third Quarter, Under-6 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 65-59 with 5:44 remaining. The Bulls led by 13 after a Jordan jumper, but the Knicks have responded with a 7-0 run. Ewing scored five points and Mason had two off a nice post up during this stretch. Chicago's Ron Harper has been great during this stretch, with a blocked shot and steal of John Starks, and a big offensive rebound on a missed Jordan three with the shot clock running down. Starks is having a miserable game, going 0-for-6 from the field and having an awful turnover off a careless pass. New York is hanging around though as the Bulls have missed a few shots on its last three possessions. Jordan has 32 points on 13/23 from the field; the rest of the Bulls have 33 points on 12/26 from the field. New York has done a great job of getting the Bulls in the penalty and closing the rebounding gap, trailing just 26 to 24 on the glass at the moment.
End of Third Quarter Observations
Chicago leads 73-69 at the end of the third quarter. Chicago had missed 11 straight shots, with the Knicks going on a 13-0 run in five minutes of game time. Derek Harper had a beautiful layup and jumper to tie the game at 63. New York had several chances to take the lead but failed to do so, including off a Harper pickpocket of Jordan at half court. Toni Kukoc was huge in the last minute, breaking the scoreless drought with a running lefty floater on the right baseline, rebounding a missed Jordan three and hitting Longley for a corner jumper, and assisting on a Jordan jumper from the wing. Give the Knicks credit. New York has outplayed the Bulls in the second and third quarters. Rodman has struggled with a couple of close-in shots, and the Knicks are blocking him out quite well on the glass. After notching 6 rebounds in the first quarter, Rodman has just 3 boards since. New York outscored Chicago 22-19 in the third, and went 10/11 from the free throw line. Chicago was just 8/25 from the field. Jordan has 36 points.
Fourth Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 77-69 with 9:56 remaining as New York takes a timeout. With Jordan on the bench getting his back worked on, New York had two chances to tie the game, but Ward missed a jumper and layup. The Knicks have not scored on four possessions, with Mason recently overdriving, leading to a steal for Kukoc, who hits Harper for a layup. Pippen is now just 4-for-14 from the field after missing a banker just inside the free throw line off a nice curl. Kukoc is 0/4 from three and just 1/20 from deep in the playoffs. New York did not take advantage with Jordan out of the game, and that could be costly.
Fourth Quarter, Under-9 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 79-71 with 8:17 remaining as the Bulls call a timeout. Jordan has just reentered at the timeout. Give credit to Bill Wennington, who responds to an Oakley offensive board and basket with a nice jumper from the wing off a screen and roll. Wennington just grabbed an offensive board off a missed Kukoc layup and drew a foul on the floor. New York has only hit one field goal with Jordan out, with Ewing 0/3 this quarter and having two misses close at the basket.
Fourth Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 81-76 with 6:03 remaining. Both teams are cold starting the fourth, with the Knicks 3/12 and the Bulls 2/10. New York had trimmed the lead to three points off a Hubert Davis three and penetrating layup by Harper, but were unable to get it any closer. Jordan had two free throws to extend the lead to five. That was an ugly stretch as both teams are missing some golden opportunities. Longley blew a layup at the front of the rim as he was expecting to get fouled. Rodman just picked up an over-the-back foul, his fourth foul of the game. He has been frustrated with the officiating all night but not received a technical foul. Speaking of techs, Oakley and Pippen got double Ts fighting for a rebound.
Fourth Quarter, Under-6 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 81-78 with 5:29 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout with Ewing securing a defensive board while falling out of bounds. Ewing just got a baseline fadeaway to hit rim, bounce up and in. Pippen missed a finger roll at the rim before Ewing got the board and called timeout while falling out of bounds. New York had to take a full timeout as the Knicks are out of 20 second timeouts.
Fourth Quarter, Under-4 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 86-82 with 3:11 remaining. Chicago missed 9 straight shots until Jordan just canned a jumper for his 39 and 40th points of the game. New York had the game down to one twice, 81-80 on a Harper layup, and 83-82 after two Starks' free throws. Jordan's jumper put the Bulls up three. Rodman has hit 2-of-4 free throws during this stretch. Starks is now 0-8 from the field.
Fourth Quarter, Under-2 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 90-84 with 1:52 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. This might have been the turning point. Out of the last timeout, Jordan drove coast-to-coast for a layup. Ewing just missed two free throws with an opportunity to cut the Bulls' lead to two. Jordan then followed up with a fadeaway in the lane off a nice post up.
Final Score: Chicago Bulls 91, New York Knicks 84.
Chicago survives an ugly performance to win Game One as the Knicks miss their last six shots and do not have a field goal for the final 5:15. Jordan finishes with 44 points on 17/35 from the field while the Bulls go 22/24 from the free throw line. New York had a rough fourth quarter offensively in a game that was there for the taking. New York played well, Chicago didn't and still won. That can't be a good sign for Game Two. Here is the box score.
Five Stars of the Game
1. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. Bad back and all, Jordan accounts for nearly half of Chicago's points. Jordan had 15, 10, 11 and 8 points in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.
2. Derek Harper, New York Knicks. Harper had 19 points on 8/17 from the field, notched 5 assists and made things harder defensively on Jordan after a hot first quarter.
3. Charles Oakley, New York Knicks. Oakley had a very effective 14 points and 13 rebounds.
4. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing had 21 points and 16 rebounds but was just 9/23 from the field. He missed several close shots in the fourth quarter, bricked two big free throws late, and was called for traveling several times.
5. Luc Longley, Chicago Bulls. On a night when Pippen and Kukoc struggled to shoot, and Rodman was frustrated with fouls, Longley had 8 points and 8 rebounds. These stats may not seem special, but Longley did a nice job playing tough defense on Ewing, using 5 of his 6 fouls, and making several little plays late, including a strip of Ewing, offensive tap that led to Rodman free throws, and great shuffling of his feet to force a Ewing travel late. Longley had an active game as did Ron Harper, as seen with the dud of the game.
2. Derek Harper, New York Knicks. Harper had 19 points on 8/17 from the field, notched 5 assists and made things harder defensively on Jordan after a hot first quarter.
3. Charles Oakley, New York Knicks. Oakley had a very effective 14 points and 13 rebounds.
4. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing had 21 points and 16 rebounds but was just 9/23 from the field. He missed several close shots in the fourth quarter, bricked two big free throws late, and was called for traveling several times.
5. Luc Longley, Chicago Bulls. On a night when Pippen and Kukoc struggled to shoot, and Rodman was frustrated with fouls, Longley had 8 points and 8 rebounds. These stats may not seem special, but Longley did a nice job playing tough defense on Ewing, using 5 of his 6 fouls, and making several little plays late, including a strip of Ewing, offensive tap that led to Rodman free throws, and great shuffling of his feet to force a Ewing travel late. Longley had an active game as did Ron Harper, as seen with the dud of the game.
Dud of the Game
John Starks, New York Knicks. Starks finished with four points, all from the free throw line, and missed all 9 of his shots, including 5 from the three-point line. Give Ron Harper credit for his defense on Starks, who was coming off scoring nearly 20 points a game against Cleveland. To Starks' credit, he didn't get frustrated and lose his cool as had been the case in the past.
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