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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
I have watched and reviewed Chicago's 4-1 series victory against the New York in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs.
Here are the total stats for the series and my recaps for each game:
5 Quick Observations/Revelations from Game 5
1. New York lost this game in the first half. With the Bulls off to a slow offensive start with shots not falling, New York had a chance to go up nine in the second quarter but failed to do so. Overall, New York lacked enough urgency to get up on the Bulls, which was not playing all that great. For a team in an elimination game, New York needed more desperation but let the Bulls hang around.
2. Chicago survives with spurts of offense. Once again, it felt like the Knicks were in control for major parts of this game until the Bulls finished with offensive flurries at the end of the first quarter to tie the game at 18 and the end of the second-quarter to go up six at the break. For a team that couldn't find the offensive rhythm for large chunks of this series, Chicago's ability to go on quick runs really proved huge. The Bulls came out looking to kill in the third quarter and essentially put the game away in that frame.
3. This game was a bit of a snooze to watch. The first half of this game was hard to watch, as Chicago's offense really stalled out and New York did not take advantage. Chicago had the luxury of feeling things out, New York did not. The second half picked up a bit, but overall, this might have been the most boring game of the series.
4. Pippen gets hot when it matters. Like in Game Three, Pippen struggled with his shot but got on a couple of quick heaters that really changed the game. Pippen found his shot late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter, which coincided with when the Bulls took control of the game. When Pippen has been scoring in the 1996 playoffs, the Bulls have been virtually unbeatable.
5. The little things are big. Game Five felt like history repeating itself. New York was playing decent defense while Chicago was struggling to hit shots. Yet the Bulls did all the little things to turn these games, like extending possessions on the offensive glass. Conversely, New York did all of the little things wrong when it mattered, having inopportune turnovers, failing to block out, etc. The Knicks were much closer than this five-game series indicated yet still so far away.
([email protected])
I have watched and reviewed Chicago's 4-1 series victory against the New York in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs.
Here are the total stats for the series and my recaps for each game:
- Game 1 Recap: Chicago 91, New York 84.
- Game 2 Recap: Chicago 91, New York 80.
- Game 3 Recap: New York 102, Chicago 99.
- Game 4 Recap: Chicago 94, New York 91.
- Game 5 Recap: Chicago 94, New York 81.
5 Quick Observations/Revelations from Game 5
1. New York lost this game in the first half. With the Bulls off to a slow offensive start with shots not falling, New York had a chance to go up nine in the second quarter but failed to do so. Overall, New York lacked enough urgency to get up on the Bulls, which was not playing all that great. For a team in an elimination game, New York needed more desperation but let the Bulls hang around.
2. Chicago survives with spurts of offense. Once again, it felt like the Knicks were in control for major parts of this game until the Bulls finished with offensive flurries at the end of the first quarter to tie the game at 18 and the end of the second-quarter to go up six at the break. For a team that couldn't find the offensive rhythm for large chunks of this series, Chicago's ability to go on quick runs really proved huge. The Bulls came out looking to kill in the third quarter and essentially put the game away in that frame.
3. This game was a bit of a snooze to watch. The first half of this game was hard to watch, as Chicago's offense really stalled out and New York did not take advantage. Chicago had the luxury of feeling things out, New York did not. The second half picked up a bit, but overall, this might have been the most boring game of the series.
4. Pippen gets hot when it matters. Like in Game Three, Pippen struggled with his shot but got on a couple of quick heaters that really changed the game. Pippen found his shot late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter, which coincided with when the Bulls took control of the game. When Pippen has been scoring in the 1996 playoffs, the Bulls have been virtually unbeatable.
5. The little things are big. Game Five felt like history repeating itself. New York was playing decent defense while Chicago was struggling to hit shots. Yet the Bulls did all the little things to turn these games, like extending possessions on the offensive glass. Conversely, New York did all of the little things wrong when it mattered, having inopportune turnovers, failing to block out, etc. The Knicks were much closer than this five-game series indicated yet still so far away.
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My 5 Keys to the Series
1. Rebounding: Chicago outrebounded New York 227 to 188 in the series, including having 84 offensive rebounds to New York's 45 rebounds, an astounding +39 in that area, leading to #2.
2. Field Goal Attempts: While New York shot better than the Bulls, 44% to roughly 41%, Chicago had 71 more field goal attempts as a result of the offensive rebounding domination.
3. Turnovers: New York nearly committed 30 more turnovers than the Bulls this series, (98 to 70), often at the worst times, a credit to the Bulls' defense as well as the Knicks' poor decision making.
4. Fourth-quarter performances: Each game was close heading into the fourth quarter, where Chicago was the better team with the exception of Game Four, which the Bulls stole late in the game's final two minutes.
5. Backcourt differential: Jordan averaged 36 points per game this series while John Starks and Derek Harper combined for roughly 25 points. Ron Harper averaged nearly 11 points a game, with Chicago having a 47 to 25 advantage in back-court scoring each game.
2. Field Goal Attempts: While New York shot better than the Bulls, 44% to roughly 41%, Chicago had 71 more field goal attempts as a result of the offensive rebounding domination.
3. Turnovers: New York nearly committed 30 more turnovers than the Bulls this series, (98 to 70), often at the worst times, a credit to the Bulls' defense as well as the Knicks' poor decision making.
4. Fourth-quarter performances: Each game was close heading into the fourth quarter, where Chicago was the better team with the exception of Game Four, which the Bulls stole late in the game's final two minutes.
5. Backcourt differential: Jordan averaged 36 points per game this series while John Starks and Derek Harper combined for roughly 25 points. Ron Harper averaged nearly 11 points a game, with Chicago having a 47 to 25 advantage in back-court scoring each game.
Make the jump for my breakdown of the series, including my:
- Top five games of the series in terms of viewing excitement.
- Three-word descriptions for each team in each game.
- Individual grades for the key players in the series.
- Team grades for the series.
- Implications for the future.
Top Five Games of the Series in Terms of Viewing Excitement
1. Game 3 - Saturday matinee provides an overtime classic.
2. Game 4 - Mother's Day contest goes down to the wire.
3. Game 1 - Jordan's individual greatest shines.
4. Game 2 - Intensity picks up with fiery fourth quarter.
5. Game 5 - A sleepy finale concludes an ugly series at times for the Bulls.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 1 for the...
After being on the verge of big games against the Miami Heat, only to be limited by a back strain, Jordan busted out with 44 points in Game One while New York went scoreless the last five minutes, a symbol of fourth-quarter woes to come.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 2 for the...
New York was only down two entering the fourth quarter, where the Bulls turned it on and Assistant Head Coach Jim Cleamons got into it with Patrick Ewing, whose Knicks let two winnable games get away, leaving the Windy City down 2-0 instead of going back to the Big Apple tied at one game apiece.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 3 for the...
Rodman played a game-high 51 minutes while Jordan and Pippen led Chicago on a furious rally late in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime, but John Starks and Patrick Ewing both had great performances when the Knicks needed it most.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 4 for the...
Chicago was up 11 early in the fourth before New York seemed to have the game won behind Ewing's late game heroics, but the Bulls got two big baskets from Bill Wennington to steal the win late.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 5 for the...
Chicago did not play a great Game 5 or overall series against New York, which lacked enough fire and desperation in the finale, as if accepting of its fate against the Bulls.
1. Game 3 - Saturday matinee provides an overtime classic.
2. Game 4 - Mother's Day contest goes down to the wire.
3. Game 1 - Jordan's individual greatest shines.
4. Game 2 - Intensity picks up with fiery fourth quarter.
5. Game 5 - A sleepy finale concludes an ugly series at times for the Bulls.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 1 for the...
- Chicago Bulls - Jordan breaks out.
- New York Knicks - Fourth quarter foreshadowing.
After being on the verge of big games against the Miami Heat, only to be limited by a back strain, Jordan busted out with 44 points in Game One while New York went scoreless the last five minutes, a symbol of fourth-quarter woes to come.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 2 for the...
- Chicago Bulls - Fiery fourth quarter.
- New York Knicks - Should be even.
New York was only down two entering the fourth quarter, where the Bulls turned it on and Assistant Head Coach Jim Cleamons got into it with Patrick Ewing, whose Knicks let two winnable games get away, leaving the Windy City down 2-0 instead of going back to the Big Apple tied at one game apiece.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 3 for the...
- Chicago Bulls - Three ultimate warriors.
- New York Knicks - Stars step up.
Rodman played a game-high 51 minutes while Jordan and Pippen led Chicago on a furious rally late in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime, but John Starks and Patrick Ewing both had great performances when the Knicks needed it most.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 4 for the...
- Chicago Bulls - Madison Garden steal.
- New York Knicks - Can't blame Ewing.
Chicago was up 11 early in the fourth before New York seemed to have the game won behind Ewing's late game heroics, but the Bulls got two big baskets from Bill Wennington to steal the win late.
Three-Word Descriptions of Game 5 for the...
- Chicago Bulls - Must be better.
- New York Knicks - Lacked enough urgency.
Chicago did not play a great Game 5 or overall series against New York, which lacked enough fire and desperation in the finale, as if accepting of its fate against the Bulls.
Individual Player Grades for the Bulls
Point Guard Ron Harper: A
After two series, Harper is the unsung hero for the Bulls, with his defensive efforts on Tim Hardaway and Starks crucial as well as being an efficient scorer who has been doing a lot of little things to help Chicago. Harper killed New York with timely threes out of New York double teams of Jordan.
Shooting Guard Michael Jordan: A
Jordan did not have his most efficient series shooting the ball, but still averaged 36.0 points. His performance at the end of the fourth quarter of Game Three was legendary.
Small Forward Scottie Pippen: B+
Pippen struggled with his shooting throughout the series and a bad back in Games Four and Five, but got going in spurts to propel the Bulls. Also Pippen's shooting never impacted his overall effect on the game.
Power Forward Dennis Rodman: A
Rodman was fantastic this series, averaging 15.6 rebounds, playing focused and engaged basketball, providing some surprising offense, and frustrating Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley without crossing the line.
Center Luc Longley: C
The big man was in foul trouble pretty much all series long, at least Games Three through Five.
Bench: A
With Toni Kukoc missing Games 3-5 with a bad back after having two bad games in Chicago, the bench really stepped up. Steve Kerr was excellent the first four games as were Randy Brown and Jud Buechler in Games Four and Five. Wennington had a strong series, as seen during his Game Four heroics, and probably should have played more while John Salley and James Edwards provided decent minutes as big bodies against Ewing.
Head Coach Phil Jackson: B
The Bulls really struggled offensively this series, with Jackson unable to get the team going in this regard. With Kukoc out and back-to-back games in New York, Jackson really had to use his bench to leave the Big Apple with a split.
Overall Series Team Grade for the Bulls: B-
Chicago really did not play a great offensive series but did enough of the little things to prevail. The Bulls would definitely have to be better against the Orlando Magic to reach the NBA Finals.
Individual Player Grades for the Knicks
Guard John Starks: C -
Starks struggled shooting during all three games in Chicago, and while breaking out for 30 points in Game Three, he forced and missed some crucial shots when it mattered during the critical Game Four.
Guard Derek Harper: C
Harper was excellent offensively in Game One and the start of Game Four but struggled mightily in Games 3 and 5. Harper played physical defense on Jordan, with his 6'4'' body providing some resistance. Ultimately, Jordan was too much for Harper, one of the underrated players of the eighties and early nineties.
Small Forward Anthony Mason: B-
With the exception of a confounding Game Four where he only had 1 point and 2 shots, Mason had a decent series that left me wanting more. New York did not get Mason involved enough at points, as seen during Game Five when he didn't even have a shot in the fourth quarter.
Power Forward Charles Oakley: B-
Oakley had a solid, workman like series, averaging a double double in points and rebounds. However, his turnovers were astounding, with four per game.
Center Patrick Ewing: B
Ewing was great during the two games in New York and had moments in Chicago but was quiet too often in the fourth quarter of these road games.
Bench: C
New York's lack of depth really hurt this series. Hubert Davis was good in Game One but seemingly lost Van Gundy's confidence as the series went on. Veteran Willie Anderson was on the decline at this point in his career. Charlie Ward had a nice series. J.R. Reid played in Game One, but did not get time the rest of the series. Herb Williams saw some spot minutes.
Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy: C-
The Knicks competed but made the same maddening mistakes over and over again throughout the series, which is a reflection of coaching.
Overall Series Team Grade for the Knicks: C-
New York was in every game, but just couldn't get over the hump due to bad rebounding and decision-making and a lack of clutch plays when it mattered most. Still, New York should have probably pushed this series to six games.
Implications for Both Teams
For Chicago, the Bulls got some much needed rest, with four full days off before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic. As Jordan and Pippen alluded to after defeating New York, the Bulls would need to be much better against the Magic. Getting healthy would be a good start, with Kukoc out with an ailing back and Pippen dealing with back and ankle problems.
For New York, major changes were coming. Van Gundy would return as coach though the Knicks would move on from Mason and Derek Harper. New York traded Mason to Charlotte for Larry Johnson. The Knicks let Harper walk as a free agent, choosing to sign Detroit's Allan Houston and New Jersey's Chris Childs. New York would also have three first-round choices in Syracuse's John Wallace, Kentucky's Walter McCarty and Mississippi State's Dontae Jones, all of whom looked good on paper but didn't contribute much as rookies.
The revamped Knicks seemed ready to meet the Bulls in the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals, getting a 3-1 lead on the Miami Heat in the second round. Of course, a fight between Charlie Ward and P.J. Brown during Game 5 changed the entire complexion of the series, which the Knicks would lose in seven, in large part due to player suspensions. Ewing's Knicks would never see Jordan's Bulls again in the playoffs. In fact, the teams haven't met in the playoffs since this series in 1996, which is crazy to think about.
Point Guard Ron Harper: A
After two series, Harper is the unsung hero for the Bulls, with his defensive efforts on Tim Hardaway and Starks crucial as well as being an efficient scorer who has been doing a lot of little things to help Chicago. Harper killed New York with timely threes out of New York double teams of Jordan.
Shooting Guard Michael Jordan: A
Jordan did not have his most efficient series shooting the ball, but still averaged 36.0 points. His performance at the end of the fourth quarter of Game Three was legendary.
Small Forward Scottie Pippen: B+
Pippen struggled with his shooting throughout the series and a bad back in Games Four and Five, but got going in spurts to propel the Bulls. Also Pippen's shooting never impacted his overall effect on the game.
Power Forward Dennis Rodman: A
Rodman was fantastic this series, averaging 15.6 rebounds, playing focused and engaged basketball, providing some surprising offense, and frustrating Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley without crossing the line.
Center Luc Longley: C
The big man was in foul trouble pretty much all series long, at least Games Three through Five.
Bench: A
With Toni Kukoc missing Games 3-5 with a bad back after having two bad games in Chicago, the bench really stepped up. Steve Kerr was excellent the first four games as were Randy Brown and Jud Buechler in Games Four and Five. Wennington had a strong series, as seen during his Game Four heroics, and probably should have played more while John Salley and James Edwards provided decent minutes as big bodies against Ewing.
Head Coach Phil Jackson: B
The Bulls really struggled offensively this series, with Jackson unable to get the team going in this regard. With Kukoc out and back-to-back games in New York, Jackson really had to use his bench to leave the Big Apple with a split.
Overall Series Team Grade for the Bulls: B-
Chicago really did not play a great offensive series but did enough of the little things to prevail. The Bulls would definitely have to be better against the Orlando Magic to reach the NBA Finals.
Individual Player Grades for the Knicks
Guard John Starks: C -
Starks struggled shooting during all three games in Chicago, and while breaking out for 30 points in Game Three, he forced and missed some crucial shots when it mattered during the critical Game Four.
Guard Derek Harper: C
Harper was excellent offensively in Game One and the start of Game Four but struggled mightily in Games 3 and 5. Harper played physical defense on Jordan, with his 6'4'' body providing some resistance. Ultimately, Jordan was too much for Harper, one of the underrated players of the eighties and early nineties.
Small Forward Anthony Mason: B-
With the exception of a confounding Game Four where he only had 1 point and 2 shots, Mason had a decent series that left me wanting more. New York did not get Mason involved enough at points, as seen during Game Five when he didn't even have a shot in the fourth quarter.
Power Forward Charles Oakley: B-
Oakley had a solid, workman like series, averaging a double double in points and rebounds. However, his turnovers were astounding, with four per game.
Center Patrick Ewing: B
Ewing was great during the two games in New York and had moments in Chicago but was quiet too often in the fourth quarter of these road games.
Bench: C
New York's lack of depth really hurt this series. Hubert Davis was good in Game One but seemingly lost Van Gundy's confidence as the series went on. Veteran Willie Anderson was on the decline at this point in his career. Charlie Ward had a nice series. J.R. Reid played in Game One, but did not get time the rest of the series. Herb Williams saw some spot minutes.
Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy: C-
The Knicks competed but made the same maddening mistakes over and over again throughout the series, which is a reflection of coaching.
Overall Series Team Grade for the Knicks: C-
New York was in every game, but just couldn't get over the hump due to bad rebounding and decision-making and a lack of clutch plays when it mattered most. Still, New York should have probably pushed this series to six games.
Implications for Both Teams
For Chicago, the Bulls got some much needed rest, with four full days off before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic. As Jordan and Pippen alluded to after defeating New York, the Bulls would need to be much better against the Magic. Getting healthy would be a good start, with Kukoc out with an ailing back and Pippen dealing with back and ankle problems.
For New York, major changes were coming. Van Gundy would return as coach though the Knicks would move on from Mason and Derek Harper. New York traded Mason to Charlotte for Larry Johnson. The Knicks let Harper walk as a free agent, choosing to sign Detroit's Allan Houston and New Jersey's Chris Childs. New York would also have three first-round choices in Syracuse's John Wallace, Kentucky's Walter McCarty and Mississippi State's Dontae Jones, all of whom looked good on paper but didn't contribute much as rookies.
The revamped Knicks seemed ready to meet the Bulls in the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals, getting a 3-1 lead on the Miami Heat in the second round. Of course, a fight between Charlie Ward and P.J. Brown during Game 5 changed the entire complexion of the series, which the Knicks would lose in seven, in large part due to player suspensions. Ewing's Knicks would never see Jordan's Bulls again in the playoffs. In fact, the teams haven't met in the playoffs since this series in 1996, which is crazy to think about.
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