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by: Chris Maynard
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Two 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 the first and second games of this series.
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Two 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 the first and second games of this series.
Game 1 Recap: Chicago held on for a 91-84 victory despite playing maybe its worst team game of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. The Bulls came out blazing in the first and second quarter, leading by as many as 15 points, with Michael Jordan scoring 15 points during the game's first twelve minutes. Give credit to the Knicks, which got the game back to its style the rest of the second and third quarters. New York got hot from the field and closed the rebounding gap. The fourth-quarter was back and forth, but Chicago did just enough behind Jordan's 44 points while New York went cold in the game's final five minutes. All in all, the Knicks played the better team game, but Chicago had the best player on the court in Jordan.
5 Quick Observations from Game 1
5 Quick Observations from Game 1
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1. Jordan breaks out. After watching Jordan get off to hot starts in Games Two and Three against the Miami Heat, only to be slowed down by a tight back, this scoring outburst in Game One was due. Jordan absolutely torched the Knicks with his patented post-up and fadeaway game. It had to be crushing as Knicks' fans all those years to have no answer for Jordan, who would seemingly beat New York at least once by himself per playoff series.
2. Pippen stuffs the stat sheet during a "poor" performance. Scottie Pippen had a rough shooting night, going only 4-for-15 from the field. He didn't even make my five stars of the game. Yet Pippen nearly had another triple double, scoring 11 points, grabbing 10 boards, dishing out 7 assists, getting 2 steals and blocking 1 shot. Even on an off night, Pippen impacted the game in so many ways.
3. The Ron Harper appreciation society. Ron Harper has really stood out to me rewatching these Bulls playoff games. His defense was really at another level. After shutting down Tim Hardaway following the first half of Game One of the first-round series against the Heat, Harper put the clamps on John Starks, who was 0-for-9 from the field, including 5 misses from three, en route to a measly four points. Starks had set a then NBA record with 14 threes during the Knicks' first-round sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers before Harper got his hooks into him.
4. A more focused Rodman? Dennis Rodman had a very mature game, getting 12 rebounds while being saddled with fouls. It was apparent that Rodman was focused for the start of this series against the respected Knicks, grabbing 6 rebounds in the first quarter before getting saddled with fouls. While Rodman had yet to break out in the playoffs, his ability to avoid a technical in Game One was a good sign of a player bringing a better mental edge against a more difficult opponent.
5. A game effort but missed opportunity for the Knicks. Honestly, New York played a very strong Game One, rebounding from a rough 15 minutes to start the game and dictating the pace, tempo and style of play the rest of the way. Derek Harper had a great all-around game as did Charles Oakley. Ewing was very good but came up a bit short in the fourth quarter when it mattered. For New York to have any chance, Anthony Mason and Starks would need to contribute more. As an aside, I absolutely loved these Knicks' road uniforms with the orange stripe down the side.
2. Pippen stuffs the stat sheet during a "poor" performance. Scottie Pippen had a rough shooting night, going only 4-for-15 from the field. He didn't even make my five stars of the game. Yet Pippen nearly had another triple double, scoring 11 points, grabbing 10 boards, dishing out 7 assists, getting 2 steals and blocking 1 shot. Even on an off night, Pippen impacted the game in so many ways.
3. The Ron Harper appreciation society. Ron Harper has really stood out to me rewatching these Bulls playoff games. His defense was really at another level. After shutting down Tim Hardaway following the first half of Game One of the first-round series against the Heat, Harper put the clamps on John Starks, who was 0-for-9 from the field, including 5 misses from three, en route to a measly four points. Starks had set a then NBA record with 14 threes during the Knicks' first-round sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers before Harper got his hooks into him.
4. A more focused Rodman? Dennis Rodman had a very mature game, getting 12 rebounds while being saddled with fouls. It was apparent that Rodman was focused for the start of this series against the respected Knicks, grabbing 6 rebounds in the first quarter before getting saddled with fouls. While Rodman had yet to break out in the playoffs, his ability to avoid a technical in Game One was a good sign of a player bringing a better mental edge against a more difficult opponent.
5. A game effort but missed opportunity for the Knicks. Honestly, New York played a very strong Game One, rebounding from a rough 15 minutes to start the game and dictating the pace, tempo and style of play the rest of the way. Derek Harper had a great all-around game as did Charles Oakley. Ewing was very good but came up a bit short in the fourth quarter when it mattered. For New York to have any chance, Anthony Mason and Starks would need to contribute more. As an aside, I absolutely loved these Knicks' road uniforms with the orange stripe down the side.
What I remember from this day of Game Two: Honestly, I don't remember much of this day and game. I know it was a Tuesday game so I had school earlier that day. As this game was on cable, I didn't watch Game Two at the time. I might have listened to it on the radio and certainly found out the Bulls' won during the 10 o'clock news. Honestly, this is one of the rare playoff games from the 1990s Bulls that I do not have much recollection. Sorry to disappoint. :-(
Here is Game Two between the Knicks and Bulls.
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
TNT Commentators: Verne Lundquist on commentary, Danny Ainge on color
- 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
TNT Commentators: Verne Lundquist on commentary, Danny Ainge on color
First Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
New York leads 8-6 with 6:50 remaining. Patrick Ewing is off to a hot start, hitting his last three shots after missing his first attempt of the game. Ewing has two jumpers and a nice layup sweeping through the lane. Michael Jordan has yet to take a shot, electing to get his teammates involved early after scoring 44 points in Game One. Dennis Rodman has been active, notching three offensive rebounds, two of which he stuck back for baskets. Luc Longley opened the game with a baseline jumper and then blocked Ewing but has several turnovers passing the ball Chicago has four turnovers on offense. Scottie Pippen has taken only one shot. Derek Harper had a nice drive and score on Jordan for New York's first points of the game.
First Quarter, Under-4 Timeout Observations
New York leads 14-10 with 3:34 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. Chicago's offense looks choppy, very similar to the first game, with the exception of the first quarter and early moments of the second quarter. Chicago started the game 3/11 from the field, going scoreless for 3:40. Jordan has only one shot attempt, a missed layup off a bad turnover by Ewing, who made a lazy outlet pass. Chicago is staying alive on the offensive boards, with Pippen tipping in a Jordan miss and Longley grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring with a sweeping lefty hook. Ewing has matched Chicago with 10 points on 5/8 shooting. He is thriving in the faceup game. Rodman was off to a fantastic start with 6 rebounds, 4 offensive, before picking up his second foul. Starks also picked up his second foul and hasn't taken a shot yet. Ewing missed his one free throw attempt and continues to struggle from the line in the playoffs. Charles Oakley had a nice put back off an offensive board. Chicago has no offensive rhythm and needs a spark. Expect Jordan to get aggressive. Derek Harper has missed three wide open threes.
End of First Quarter Observations
Chicago leads 22-19 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulls finally get going at the end of the quarter, going on a 10-0 run in a 1:59 stretch. Jordan came out and hit his first jumper then Toni Kukoc found a cutting Ron Harper for a layup. Chicago has picked up the defense, forcing 5 Knicks' on 6 possessions. Pippen has been the catalyst, stripping a driving Oakley and leading break with an assist to Harper for a layup. Pippen then stole the ensuing inbound and canned a three to get his struggling jumper going. Pippen then took a charge on Derek Harper, who has two fouls. New York got a three from Gary Grant, playing for the ill Charlie Ward, right at the end of the quarter to stop the bleeding. Jordan finishes with 4 points in the first quarter after scoring 15 in the first quarter of Game One. New York is getting killed off second-chance points and turnovers. Chicago has 10 second-chance points and 12 points off turnovers.
Second Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 26-19 with 9:53 remaining. The Knicks are not learning the errors of their first quarter ways as Chicago gets three offensive rebounds on its first three possessions, including a Jordan putback. Jordan has been crashing the offensive glass, where he has gotten away with two push offs so far this game. Rodman is playing his best game of the playoffs, with another offensive board. Scottie Pippen had a nasty block of Mason at the rim. New York is getting suffocated by Chicago's defense, and throwing the ball over the place. It hasn't been a pretty Game Two so far but Chicago has turned this game with defense and offensive rebounding.
Second Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 33-25 with 6:57 remaining. Jordan has ditched his passivity, scoring 9 points already this quarter. New York had not scored for the first four minutes of the quarter until Charles Oakley got an offensive rebound and putback. Oakley has a quiet 7 rebounds while Rodman has 8 boards, which have been more pronounced and impactful. Back in the game, Starks had a steal of Steve Kerr but missed a contested layup at the rim with Scottie Pippen hovering. Starks has yet to scratch. Ewing just got an and-one on James "Buddha" Edwards, who also scored on a nice move across the lane a few possessions earlier. New York has finally found some offense, hitting on its last three possessions after a frigid start to the quarter. Chicago has been the aggressor so far in the second quarter.
Second Quarter, Under-4 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 40-32 with 3:03 remaining as the Knicks call a timeout. Things are getting a bit testy as Ewing had to call a timeout while diving on the ground for a loose ball. Pippen stepped over and looked down at Ewing, who was not pleased. Jordan has 14 points this quarter, including a beautiful up and under and and-one off a fast break during this stretch. After starting the quarter 0/8, New York hit 5 straight field goals. However, Rodman blocked a Mason shot at the rim and the Knicks have gone cold. Derek Harper blew a layup on the break, and Jordan made him pay with his own layup. Longley just hit a jumper off a nice assist from Ron Harper. It hasn't always been pretty from Longley, but he has been having a strong start to the series. Starks finally got on the board with two free throws but has yet to hit a shot in the series. He only has one shot so far tonight.
Second Quarter, Under-2 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 42-38 with 1:29 remaining as New York takes a 20 second timeout following a Chicago deflection out of bounds. Give credit to Starks, who has picked up his game. Starks drew a foul on Longley and hit two free throws. He then got a rebound and was fouled on a bad play by Ron Harper, 94 feet away from the basket. That was a rare mistake from Harper. Starks then doubled up Kukoc to force a 24-second shot clock violation and then hit his first shot of the series, a driving layup on Harper. Bill Wennington just scored on a nice duck in against Ewing, who has two fouls. New York has picked up the defense, though, and the Bulls offense has not looked smooth. Kukoc is having another tough game after a rough Game One.
Second Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 42-41 with 9.3 seconds left in the half as the Bulls take a timeout. New York is on a 11-4 run. Out of the Knicks' timeout, Starks got caught driving baseline, hung in the air and kicked out to Derek Harper, who canned a three. Kukoc missed a corner three and is now 1-for-22 from deep in the playoffs. New York had two opportunities to take the lead but Mason and Ewing missed shots in close. Pippen missed a dunk attempt that caromed out to Kukoc, who found Jordan, who missed the open three. Chicago has gone cold again, in large part due to the Knicks' defense.
Halftime Observations
Chicago leads 42-41 at the break. Kukoc takes a straight-on three that barely grazes rim. However, the ball goes out of bounds to Chicago. Kukoc floats an inbound pass to Jordan, who misses a fadeaway at the end of the quarter. Jordan finishes the half with 18 points on 7/14 from the field. After going 4/15 in Game One, Pippen is just 2/10. Kukoc is 0/3 from deep. New York has found some success posting up Anthony Mason. Starks provided a spark at the end of the half. Chicago has played maybe two good full quarters this series. The Bulls have lost their shooting touch, after shooting at least 50% in all three games against the Heat. Give credit to the Knicks' defense, which has not been overly physical but just tough.
Third Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
New York leads 43-42 as Chicago takes a timeout. The Knicks should be up more, having missed at least four layups on three combined fast breaks. Chicago is settling for, and clanking, jumpers. New York is limiting the Bulsl to one shot at a time. Oakley canned a jumper to give New York its first lead since late in the first quarter. Chicago's offense has looked very stagnant these first two games, with the exception of a few bursts. It feels like the Knicks should be up about 6 points. New York seems to be hungrier but are not taking advantage of in-close opportunities. Rodman has 12 rebounds. Oakley and Rodman are really battling tonight, nothing dirty, just good , hard basketball. Oakley has been outstanding these first two games of the series. After missing two jumpers, Jordan drove to the lane and drew a foul. New York is 1/6 to start the half, Chicago is 0/5.
Third Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 52-51 with 4:59 remaining. Chicago has turnovers on four of its last six possessions. The Bulls have 14 turnovers so far this game, New York has 11. The Bulls are ahead thanks to three pointers from Ron Harper and Scottie Pippen, who finally hit one. Derek Harper briefly gave the Knicks a three on a corner three off a Chicago double of Ewing. At the start of this segment, it was the Jordan and Ewing show. Jordan hit a ridiculous fadeaway on Harper, who played great defense, and then canned a free-throw line jumper. Ewing hit a beautiful baseline fadeaway over Longley and then had an and-one on Wennington, abusing him in the post. Ewing missed the free throw and is just 2/5 from the line tonight. Somehow Chicago is up when it feels like the Knicks should be. New York has had very active hands on defense tonight. The Bulls have looked out of sorts big time.
End of Third Quarter Observations
Chicago leads 61-59 at the end of the third quarter. Kukoc scores on a dribble drive on Chicago's last possession for his first basket of the game and the Knicks miss four shots on the final possession of the quarter. That was an ugly end to the quarter. I can't remember a game when Chicago was fumbling away so many basketballs on offense. Ron Harper had 8 points, including another big three, that quarter, and has 13 points and 7 rebounds for the game. Jordan sat out most of the last stretch, meaning he should play all of the fourth quarter. New York is 10/16 from the free throw line while Chicago is 8/9. Pippen is 3/16 from the field. The Bulls are 5/17 from three, New York is 4/11. There were 3 ties and 8 lead changes in the third quarter, which was marked by turnovers and fouls in the last stretch. Expect a grinder of a fourth quarter. Jordan has 22 points on 9/20 from the field. Ewing leads New York with 21 points.
Fourth Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 66-63 with 9:41 remaining. Pippen started the quarter with a nice fadeaway over Mason and then a steal during which he called a timeout while falling out of bounds. Jordan just hit a jumper off a moving Steve Kerr screen, plus the foul. New York got a jumper from backup big Herb Williams. New York is trying to steal some minutes with Williams and Willie Anderson as all five starters played at least 40 minutes in Game One. Hubert Davis has struggled from the field after hitting all of his shots in Game One. Oakley has four fouls and is on the bench. Rodman just went to the bench as well. He has 17 rebounds tonight, which matches his season-high against the Knicks. Mason had a beautiful spin move on Jordan for a layup. Mason has 10 points and is good in the post, but he tends to be forgotten at times.
Fourth Quarter, Under-9 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 71-63 with 8:50 remaining as New York calls a timeout. The Bulls are finally getting some offensive rhythm here. Jordan hit a free throw out of the timeout. Then Bill Wennington had a nice steal of Mason. Wennington followed up with a nice assist on a give and go jumper by Steve Kerr. Wennington has given Chicago good minutes in limited time the first two games. Derek Harper missed a forced three and then Pippen drove down court and hit a beautiful baseline jumper off a crossover. Like in Game One, New York's fourth quarter offense is going missing. The United Center is rocking.
Fourth Quarter, Under-8 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 74-63 with 7:34 remaining as the Knicks take another timeout. Pippen just canned a big three from the top of the key over Willie Anderson. New York has scored just 4 points in 4 minutes. Longley blocked a Ewing faceup jumper leading to the eventual Pippen three. The Bulls are not playing well but still up eleven. Give credit to Pippen who has gone 3-for-3 this quarter after starting 3-for-16 from the field. Chicago is on a 10-0 run in the last 2:16, having hit 5/7 from the field this quarter. New York is just 2/6 from the field.
Fourth Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 81-67 with 4:07 remaining. Well, that was a fun stretch of playoff basketball. Out of the last timeout, Jordan stripped Starks leading to a 2-on-1 break where Pippen dunked on the helpless Derek Harper. Ewing and Bulls Assistant Coach Jim Cleamons got double technical fouls for talking trash after Chicago was called for three-straight fouls. Ewing began making his way to the bench as if he was ready to fight Cleamons. Jordan missed a jumper but crashed the board, knocking a loose ball to Ron Harper, who made a nice floater. Kukoc just hit a baseline fadeaway and stripped Mason. Chicago has turned up the defense this quarter, with New York having just 5 points from the field and 8 points for the quarter. Derek Harper just got a technical foul for barking at the officials following a foul call against Jordan. New York is frustrated, and Chicago is the reason why. The first two games have come down to which team has been better in the fourth quarter. Clearly, it has been the Bulls. New York has 7 turnovers this quarter compared to only 6 shot attempts.
Fourth Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 88-69 with 2:39 remaining. How this game has turned. Chicago has outscored New York 27-10 in the fourth quarter. Jordan hit a beautiful baseline fadeaway and assisted on a deep Steve Kerr three and a wide open dunk for Rodman. Stick a fork in the Knicks in Game Two. Harper and Starks got double technicals during this stretch, making that five total Ts for the fourth quarter.
Final Score: Chicago Bulls 91, New York Knicks 80.
Gary Grant hits a three at the buzzer as the Knicks score some points in garbage time to make their fourth-quarter points look more respectable. Chicago outscores the Knicks 30-21 in the fourth quarter to take a 2-0 lead. Here is the box score.
Five Stars of the Game
1. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. After a quiet first quarter during which he wanted to get his teammates going, Jordan score half of his game-high 28 points in the second quarter. Jordan added 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Jordan made a conscious effort early in the game to hit the boards. In my opinion, this was Jordan's best all-around game of the first five games of the 1996 NBA Playoffs.
2. Ron Harper, Chicago Bulls. Harper continued to have a great start to the 1996 NBA Playoffs, keeping Chicago in front in the third quarter with 8 of his 15 points. Harper added 9 rebounds and made things tough on John Starks yet again. Starks was just 2/5 from the field after going 0/9 in Game One.
3. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman finishes with 19 rebounds, 1 more than the 18 he had in three games against the Heat during the first round. Through the first two games, Rodman has 27 rebounds and has not been given a technical. Rodman and Oakley have battled like two warriors. Rodman has kept his cool despite being called for some questionable fouls that have taken him out of games early.
4. Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls. After shooting 3-for-16 during the first three quarters, Pippen hit 4-of-5 shots in the fourth quarter to get the Chicago offense going. Pippen finished 7/21 for 19 points. He added 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 1 block.
5. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing had 23 points and 10 rebounds but was nonexistent in the fourth quarter for the second-straight game.
2. Ron Harper, Chicago Bulls. Harper continued to have a great start to the 1996 NBA Playoffs, keeping Chicago in front in the third quarter with 8 of his 15 points. Harper added 9 rebounds and made things tough on John Starks yet again. Starks was just 2/5 from the field after going 0/9 in Game One.
3. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman finishes with 19 rebounds, 1 more than the 18 he had in three games against the Heat during the first round. Through the first two games, Rodman has 27 rebounds and has not been given a technical. Rodman and Oakley have battled like two warriors. Rodman has kept his cool despite being called for some questionable fouls that have taken him out of games early.
4. Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls. After shooting 3-for-16 during the first three quarters, Pippen hit 4-of-5 shots in the fourth quarter to get the Chicago offense going. Pippen finished 7/21 for 19 points. He added 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 1 block.
5. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing had 23 points and 10 rebounds but was nonexistent in the fourth quarter for the second-straight game.
Dud of the Game
New York Knicks' 4th Quarter Offense. After scoring just 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game One, including going scoreless during the last five minutes, New York was outscored 27-10 at the start of the last 12 minutes in Game Two. While New York got 9 points in garbage time, the Knicks let two golden opportunities to steal a game in Chicago slip away as a result of ineffective offense when the games mattered most, during crunch time.
Here are the highlights of Game Two.
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