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by: Chris Maynard
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Let's continue with my recaps of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' historic regular season.
Here are the recaps for:
([email protected])
Let's continue with my recaps of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' historic regular season.
Here are the recaps for:
The Chicago Bulls had won 54 games and lost just 6 through the first 60 games of the season, though Game 61 would portend some doubt within me.
This stretch of games would start with a shocking loss, a Sunday matinee destruction by the New York Knicks, which had just fired Don Nelson and named Jeff Van Gundy Head Coach. I remember watching this stunning Bulls loss on NBC, throwing in the towel in the second half to go shopping for a suit with my Dad for my Confirmation that Friday night.
After rebounding against Washington on March 13th, Chicago had a rematch with the Denver Nuggets on Friday March 15th, the night of my Confirmation. Denver had beaten Chicago earlier in February, with the Bulls storming back from a 25-point deficit at halftime before ultimately losing by six points. I totally forgot about this Bulls' game after my two-hour confirmation, though my parents hosted some family at our house afterward. As my family started to watch the last set of Friday night games for the first round of the 1996 NCAA Tournament, I suddenly remembered the Bulls had played, asking my Uncle John if Chicago won. Pulling my leg, my Uncle said Denver killed us, with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf having a huge game. Of course, my Uncle filled me in on the joke after seeing how upset I was that Chicago apparently lost.
This stretch of games would start with a shocking loss, a Sunday matinee destruction by the New York Knicks, which had just fired Don Nelson and named Jeff Van Gundy Head Coach. I remember watching this stunning Bulls loss on NBC, throwing in the towel in the second half to go shopping for a suit with my Dad for my Confirmation that Friday night.
After rebounding against Washington on March 13th, Chicago had a rematch with the Denver Nuggets on Friday March 15th, the night of my Confirmation. Denver had beaten Chicago earlier in February, with the Bulls storming back from a 25-point deficit at halftime before ultimately losing by six points. I totally forgot about this Bulls' game after my two-hour confirmation, though my parents hosted some family at our house afterward. As my family started to watch the last set of Friday night games for the first round of the 1996 NCAA Tournament, I suddenly remembered the Bulls had played, asking my Uncle John if Chicago won. Pulling my leg, my Uncle said Denver killed us, with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf having a huge game. Of course, my Uncle filled me in on the joke after seeing how upset I was that Chicago apparently lost.
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Chicago's next game, the following night in New Jersey, was no joking matter. After being on his best behavior for most of the season, Dennis Rodman lost his mind, headbutting referee Ted Bernhardt, ultimately resulting in a six-game suspension. After scoring four points in my eighth-grade basketball All-Star game this Saturday, I remember watching the second round of the tournament and flipping over to this Bulls' game on WGN, with a shirtless Rodman storming off the court after getting ejected. I worried if this was the time Rodman was going to implode and cost the Bulls a title.
Without Rodman, Chicago would win three straight games, including getting some revenge against the Knicks. However, the Bulls would suffer another shocking loss, 109-108 to the expansion Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 24, 1996. The Raptors really gave the Bulls some problems this year, with Damon Stoudamire proving to be a tough guard for all of Chicago, even Jordan.
The Bulls would rebound with home victories against the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers, to finish this stretch 8-2 and 62-8 after 70 games. With 12 games remaining, Chicago could lose no more than 5 games if hoping to tie the then NBA record of 69 wins and 13 losses, set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
Without Rodman, Chicago would win three straight games, including getting some revenge against the Knicks. However, the Bulls would suffer another shocking loss, 109-108 to the expansion Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 24, 1996. The Raptors really gave the Bulls some problems this year, with Damon Stoudamire proving to be a tough guard for all of Chicago, even Jordan.
The Bulls would rebound with home victories against the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers, to finish this stretch 8-2 and 62-8 after 70 games. With 12 games remaining, Chicago could lose no more than 5 games if hoping to tie the then NBA record of 69 wins and 13 losses, set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
Make the jump to view Games 61-70 and link to the box scores as Chicago continues its quest to match and set the all-time record for wins during an NBA regular season.
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