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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
([email protected])
Thirty years ago today, the Chicago Bulls were enjoying some time off after sweeping the Orlando Magic during the Eastern Conference Finals, eagerly awaiting their opponent for the 1996 NBA Finals.
Chicago would finally get its answer on Sunday, June 2, 1996, as the Seattle SuperSonics avoiding blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Utah Jazz, winning Game 7 at home by a 90-86 score. It's crazy to think that Chicago nearly played Utah three straight NBA Finals, with the Bulls defeating the Jazz in six games during the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
Anyways, I remember going out to eat with my cousin Brian, Aunt Donna and Uncle John on this Sunday night, which was the final weekend before my last week of eighth grade. After dinner, we watched this game in the backyard of their house. Honestly, I was not too worried about whatever team would be Chicago's opponent. With the Bulls having vanquished the Magic, I was very confident Chicago would defeat both Seattle and Utah. At this point in time a title seemed inevitable for the Bulls, with the 1996 NBA Finals ultimately following that path before Chicago had a bit of a scare before getting the job done on Father's Day.
Here is Game 7 between the Sonics and Jazz. How I loved these new Seattle and old Utah uniforms, though the Jazz would upgrade to very cool-looking new uniforms the next season.
Chicago would finally get its answer on Sunday, June 2, 1996, as the Seattle SuperSonics avoiding blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Utah Jazz, winning Game 7 at home by a 90-86 score. It's crazy to think that Chicago nearly played Utah three straight NBA Finals, with the Bulls defeating the Jazz in six games during the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
Anyways, I remember going out to eat with my cousin Brian, Aunt Donna and Uncle John on this Sunday night, which was the final weekend before my last week of eighth grade. After dinner, we watched this game in the backyard of their house. Honestly, I was not too worried about whatever team would be Chicago's opponent. With the Bulls having vanquished the Magic, I was very confident Chicago would defeat both Seattle and Utah. At this point in time a title seemed inevitable for the Bulls, with the 1996 NBA Finals ultimately following that path before Chicago had a bit of a scare before getting the job done on Father's Day.
Here is Game 7 between the Sonics and Jazz. How I loved these new Seattle and old Utah uniforms, though the Jazz would upgrade to very cool-looking new uniforms the next season.
With the matchup between the Bulls and Sonics set, here are the two games the teams played during the 1995-96 season. The teams split two games, with the Sonics defeating the Bulls at home on my birthday, November 26, 1995, and Chicago avenging Seattle at home on January 10, 1996.
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With the 30th anniversary of the 1996 NBA Finals beginning on this Friday, June 5th, here is what I am planning for the rest of this little passion project.
If interested, make the jump to see the full seven games of the 1996 Western Conference Finals. Surprisingly, a lot of these games are not fully on YouTube, which seems like a crime to me. :-)
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - Revisiting Chicago's Three Prior Trips to the NBA Finals
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 - The Time Chicago Nearly Traded Scottie Pippen to Seattle for Shawn Kemp
- Friday, June 5, 2026 - 1996 NBA Finals, Game 1 Rewatch and Review
- Saturday, June 6, 2026 - Ranking Chicago's Game 1 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Sunday, June 7, 2026 - 1996 NBA Finals, Game 2 Rewatch and Review
- Monday, June 8, 2026: Ranking Chicago's Game 2 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Tuesday, June 9, 2026: 1996 NBA Finals, Game 3 Rewatch and Review
- Wednesday, June 10, 2026: Ranking Chicago's Game 3 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Thursday, June 11, 2026: An Appreciation for the Seattle SuperSonics
- Friday, June 12, 2026: 1996 NBA Finals, Game 4 Rewatch and Review
- Saturday, June 13, 2026: Ranking Chicago's Game 4 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Sunday, June 14, 2026: 1996 NBA Finals, Game 5 Rewatch and Review
- Monday, June 15, 2026: Ranking Chicago's Game 5 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Tuesday, June 16, 2026: 1996 NBA Finals, Game 6 Rewatch and Review
- Wednesday, June 17, 2026: Ranking Chicago's Game 6 Performances during the NBA Finals (1991-1998)
- Thursday, June 18, 2026: Dennis Rodman Gets in Trouble at the Grant Park Celebration
- Friday, June 19, 2026: Recap of the 1996 NBA Finals
- Saturday, June 20, 2026: Recap of the Chicago Bulls' Championship Run through the 1996 NBA Playoffs
- Sunday, June 21, 2026: The Finale of this Passion Project
If interested, make the jump to see the full seven games of the 1996 Western Conference Finals. Surprisingly, a lot of these games are not fully on YouTube, which seems like a crime to me. :-)
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