1996–97 Chicago Bulls season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1996–97 Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPhil Jackson
OwnersJerry Reinsdorf
ArenaUnited Center
Results
Record69–13 (.841)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Jazz 4–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWGN-TV
SportsChannel Chicago
RadioWMVP
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Bulls' 31st season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Bulls entered the season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals in six games, winning their fourth NBA championship. During the off-season, the Bulls signed 43-year old free agent All-Star center Robert Parish, who won three championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.[2] Coming off of one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, The Bulls, on the backs of recording another first-place finish in their division and conference, repeated as NBA champions. The Bulls were led by Michael Jordan, perennial All-Star small forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound ace Dennis Rodman, with the former two (Jordan and Pippen) both being selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.[3][4] Other notable players on the club's roster that year were clutch-specialist Croatian Toni Kukoč, and sharp-shooting point guard Steve Kerr.

The Bulls got off to a fast start winning their first twelve games, while posting a 42–6 record before the All-Star break.[5] During the final month of the regular season in early April, the team signed free agent Brian Williams, who previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, and spent most of the 1996–97 season as a free agent. Williams played in the final nine games of the season as a backup center for the Bulls.[6] Though, the Bulls look to make history against the New York Knicks in their final regular season game of the year, Pippen missed a game-winning 3 and they finished with a 69–13 record, just missing out on becoming the first team in NBA history to have back-to-back 70 wins seasons.[7] Jordan led the league in scoring once again averaging 29.6 points per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team. Pippen averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while Rodman led the league with 16.1 rebounds per game,[8] but played just 55 games due to suspensions and injuries, such as serving an 11-game suspension for kicking a cameraman during a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 15, 1997,[9] and a knee injury which cost him to miss the final 13 games of the regular season.[10] Kukoč provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.2 points per game, but played just 57 games due to a foot injury.[11] The Bulls had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[12]

In the playoffs, the Bulls would sweep the Washington Bullets in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round.[13] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in five games,[14] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center 103–95.[15] In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the NBA Finals,[16] where they defeated regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz in six games for their fifth title in seven years.[17] Following the season, Parish retired after 21 seasons in the NBA,[18] Williams signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[19] and Dickey Simpkins was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

Offseason[]

NBA draft[]

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 29 Travis Knight C  United States UConn

Roster[]

1996–97 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 1 Brown, Randy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–05–22 New Mexico State
F 30 Buechler, Jud 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1968–06–19 Arizona
F 35 Caffey, Jason 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1973–06–12 Alabama
G 9 Harper, Ron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1964–01–20 Miami (OH)
G 23 Jordan, Michael 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1963–02–17 North Carolina
G 25 Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–27 Arizona
F 7 Kukoč, Toni 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1968–09–18 Croatia
C 13 Longley, Luc 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1969–01–19 New Mexico
C 00 Parish, Robert 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1953–08–30 Centenary College of Louisiana
F 33 Pippen, Scottie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–09–25 Central Arkansas
F 91 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
F 8 Simpkins, Dickey 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1972–04–06 Providence
F 6 Steigenga, Matt 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1970–03–27 Michigan State
C 34 Wennington, Bill Injured 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1963–04–26 St. John's
C 18 Williams, Brian 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–04–06 Arizona
Head coach
  • Phil Jackson
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 12, 1997

Regular season[]

Season standings[]

Central Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 69 13 .841 – 39–2 30–11 24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks 56 26 .683 13 36–5 20–21 17–11
x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 15 30–11 24–17 17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets 54 28 .659 15 30–11 24–17 14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 27 25–16 17–24 13–15
Indiana Pacers 39 43 .476 30 21–20 18–23 11–17
Milwaukee Bucks 33 49 .402 36 20–21 13–28 10–18
Toronto Raptors 30 52 .366 39 18–23 12–29 6–22
1996–97 NBA East standings
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls 69 13 .841 –
2 y-Miami Heat 61 21 .744 8
3 x-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 12
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 56 26 .683 13
5 x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 15
6 x-Charlotte Hornets 54 28 .659 15
7 x-Orlando Magic 45 37 .549 24
8 x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 25
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 27
10 Indiana Pacers 39 43 .476 30
11 Milwaukee Bucks 33 49 .402 36
12 Toronto Raptors 30 52 .366 39
13 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 43
14 Philadelphia 76ers 22 60 .268 47
15 Boston Celtics 15 67 .183 54

Record vs. opponents[]

1996–97 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta — 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 — 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 — 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 — 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 — 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 — 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 — 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 — 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 — 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 — 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 — 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 — 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 — 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 — 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 — 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 — 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 — 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 — 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log[]

Regular season[]

1996–97 game log
Total: 69–13 (Home: 39–2; Road: 30–11)
November: 15–1 (Home: 6–0; Road: 9–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 1 @ Boston W 107–98 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (7) FleetCenter
18,624 		1–0
2 November 2 Philadelphia W 115–86 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (12) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center
24,040 		2–0
3 November 5 Vancouver W 96–73 Michael Jordan (22) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center
23,726 		3–0
4 November 6 @ Miami W 106–100 Michael Jordan (50) Dennis Rodman (22) Scottie Pippen (5) Miami Arena
15,200 		4–0
5 November 8 @ Detroit W 98–80 3 players tied (16) Dennis Rodman (20) Michael Jordan (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		5–0
6 November 9 Boston W 104–92 Michael Jordan (27) Scottie Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center
23,813 		6–0
7 November 11 Phoenix W 97–79 Michael Jordan (26) Dennis Rodman (22) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,807 		7–0
8 November 13 Miami W 103–71 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (19) Brown & Kukoč (4) United Center
23,889 		8–0
9 November 15 @ Charlotte W 110–87 Michael Jordan (38) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (7) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042 		9–0
10 November 16 Atlanta W 97–69 Michael Jordan (25) Dennis Rodman (15) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,939 		10–0
11 November 20 @ Phoenix W 113–99 Jordan & Pippen (37) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (7) America West Arena
19,023 		11–0
12 November 21 @ Denver W 110–92 Michael Jordan (31) 3 players tied (7) Pippen & Rodman (5) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171 		12–0
13 November 23 @ Utah L 100–105 Michael Jordan (44) Dennis Rodman (10) Michael Jordan (4) Delta Center
19,911 		12–1
14 November 25 @ L.A. Clippers W 88–84 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (14) Kukoč & Pippen (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,144 		13–1
15 November 29 @ Dallas W 116–97 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Toni Kukoč (6) Reunion Arena
18,042 		14–1
16 November 30 @ San Antonio W 97–88 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (8) Alamodome
37,058 		15–1
December : 12–3 (Home: 8–1; Road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
17 December 3 @ Milwaukee W 107–104 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (12) Jordan & Pippen (6) Bradley Center
18,717 		16–1
18 December 5 L.A. Clippers W 114–96 Scottie Pippen (25) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (12) United Center
23,687 		17–1
19 December 7 Miami L 80–83 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center
23,861 		17–2
20 December 8 @ Toronto L 89–97 Scottie Pippen (28) Dennis Rodman (11) Michael Jordan (8) SkyDome
33,385 		17–3
21 December 11 Minnesota W 103–86 Michael Jordan (27) Scottie Pippen (9) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center
23,505 		18–3
22 December 13 @ New Jersey W 113–92 Michael Jordan (32) Bill Wennington (8) Jordan & Pippen (6) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049 		19–3
23 December 14 Charlotte W 87–82 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (23) Jordan & Pippen (5) United Center
23,771 		20–3
24 December 17 L.A. Lakers W 129–123 (OT) Scottie Pippen (35) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center
23,919 		21–3
25 December 19 @ Charlotte W 93–72 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (14) Dennis Rodman (5) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042 		22–3
26 December 21 @ Philadelphia W 111–105 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (7) CoreStates Center
20,918 		23–3
27 December 23 New Jersey W 113–81 Michael Jordan (24) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (5) United Center
23,601 		24–3
28 December 25 Detroit W 95–83 Scottie Pippen (27) Dennis Rodman (22) Kukoč & Pippen (8) United Center
23,744 		25–3
29 December 26 @ Atlanta L 103–108 Michael Jordan (34) Parish & Rodman (10) Ron Harper (4) Omni Coliseum
16,378 		25–4
30 December 28 Cleveland W 102–97 Michael Jordan (45) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center
23,792 		26–4
31 December 30 Indiana W 81–79 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (21) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center
23,692 		27–4
January : 13–1 (Home: 7–0; Road: 6–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
32 January 3 Orlando W 110–89 Michael Jordan (22) Dennis Rodman (22) Ron Harper (7) United Center
23,904 		28–4
33 January 6 Utah W 102–89 Scottie Pippen (24) Dennis Rodman (16) Toni Kukoč (6) United Center
23,904 		29–4
34 January 10 @ Milwaukee W 116–101 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (26) 3 players tied (5) Bradley Center
18,717 		30–4
35 January 11 Houston W 110–86 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (18) Jordan & Pippen (7) United Center
24,196 		31–4
36 January 14 Washington W 108–107 Michael Jordan (39) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center
23,891 		32–4
37 January 15 @ Minnesota W 112–102 Scottie Pippen (29) Dennis Rodman (15) Toni Kukoč (7) Target Center
20,113 		33–4
38 January 17 Milwaukee W 100–73 Jordan & Kukoč (24) Luc Longley (8) Michael Jordan (11) United Center
23,898 		34–4
39 January 19 @ Houston L 86–102 Michael Jordan (26) Michael Jordan (14) Scottie Pippen (7) The Summit
16,285 		34–5
40 January 21 New York W 88–87 Michael Jordan (51) Scottie Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center
23,902 		35–5
41 January 23 @ Cleveland W 87–71 Michael Jordan (32) Scottie Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (8) Gund Arena
20,562 		36–5
42 January 25 Toronto W 110–98 Michael Jordan (24) Jason Caffey (6) Toni Kukoč (13) United Center
23,913 		37–5
43 January 28 @ Vancouver W 111–96 Michael Jordan (28) Scottie Pippen (10) Toni Kukoč (11) General Motors Place
19,193 		38–5
44 January 30 @ Sacramento W 111–93 Michael Jordan (32) Luc Longley (11) Kukoč & Pippen (6) ARCO Arena
17,317 		39–5
45 January 31 @ Golden State W 115–92 Scottie Pippen (32) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (8) San Jose Arena
18,748 		40–5
February : 10–2 (Home: 6–0; Road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 February 2 @ Seattle W 91–84 Michael Jordan (45) Michael Jordan (7) Toni Kukoč (9) KeyArena
17,072 		41–5
47 February 4 @ Portland W 88–84 Michael Jordan (36) Scottie Pippen (8) Toni Kukoč (5) Rose Garden
21,538 		42–5
48 February 5 @ L.A. Lakers L 90–106 Michael Jordan (27) Toni Kukoč (6) Scottie Pippen (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		42–6
All-Star Break
49 February 11 Charlotte W 103–100 Michael Jordan (43) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,884 		43–6
50 February 14 @ Atlanta W 89–88 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (12) Jordan & Pippen (4) Omni Coliseum
16,378 		44–6
51 February 16 Orlando W 110–89 Scottie Pippen (22) Dennis Rodman (13) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center
23,919 		45–6
52 February 18 Denver W 134–123 Scottie Pippen (47) Dennis Rodman (13) Michael Jordan (12) United Center
23,874 		46–6
53 February 21 @ Washington W 103–99 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (12) Scottie Pippen (7) US Airways Arena
18,756 		47–6
54 February 22 Golden State W 120–87 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (12) Harper & Kerr (7) United Center
23,917 		48–6
55 February 24 Portland W 116–89 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (15) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center
23,841 		49–6
56 February 27 @ Cleveland L 70–73 Michael Jordan (23) Dennis Rodman (16) Michael Jordan (4) Gund Arena
20,562 		49–7
57 February 28 Sacramento W 126–108 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (11) Harper & Jordan (6) United Center
23,836 		50–7
March : 12–2 (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 3 Milwaukee W 108–90 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (11) Dennis Rodman (7) United Center
23,894 		51–7
59 March 5 San Antonio W 111–69 Scottie Pippen (19) Caffey & Longley (10) Randy Brown (8) United Center
23,841 		52–7
60 March 7 Indiana W 104–96 Michael Jordan (38) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center
23,902 		53–7
61 March 9 @ New York L 93–97 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Jordan & Pippen (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		53–8
62 March 11 @ Boston W 117–106 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (16) Michael Jordan (9) FleetCenter
18,624 		54–8
63 March 12 @ Philadelphia W 108–104 Scottie Pippen (31) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (8) CoreStates Center
21,061 		55–8
64 March 14 @ New Jersey L 98–99 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (9) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049 		55–9
65 March 15 Atlanta W 99–79 Scottie Pippen (17) Dennis Rodman (14) Longley & Pippen (7) United Center
23,984 		56–9
66 March 18 Seattle W 89–87 (OT) Michael Jordan (32) Michael Jordan (18) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,989 		57–9
67 March 21 @ Indiana W 117–98 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (8) Market Square Arena
16,759 		58–9
68 March 22 Detroit W 103–88 Scottie Pippen (26) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (7) United Center
23,896 		59–9
69 March 25 Dallas W 94–92 Jordan & Kerr (20) Dennis Rodman (21) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center
23,854 		60–9
70 March 27 @ Toronto W 96–83 Longley & Pippen (16) Michael Jordan (10) Scottie Pippen (7) SkyDome
34,104 		61–9
71 March 29 New Jersey W 111–101 Scottie Pippen (31) Scottie Pippen (8) Michael Jordan (10) United Center
23,916 		62–9
April : 7–4 (Home: 4–1; Road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 1 Boston W 111–106 Michael Jordan (21) Jason Caffey (9) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center
23,906 		63–9
73 April 3 @ Washington L 102–110 Michael Jordan (34) Caffey & Kukoč (8) Michael Jordan (6) US Airways Arena
18,756 		63–10
74 April 4 Cleveland W 84–71 Michael Jordan (22) Scottie Pippen (7) Luc Longley (6) United Center
23,955 		64–10
75 April 6 @ Orlando W 110–94 Michael Jordan (37) Caffey & Jordan (8) Michael Jordan (5) Orlando Arena
17,248 		65–10
76 April 7 Philadelphia W 128–102 Michael Jordan (30) Luc Longley (11) Ron Harper (7) United Center
23,618 		66–10
77 April 9 @ Indiana W 86–80 Michael Jordan (23) Jason Caffey (16) Scottie Pippen (3) Market Square Arena
16,760 		67–10
78 April 10 @ New York W 105–103 Michael Jordan (34) Caffey & Jordan (8) Michael Jordan (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		68–10
79 April 13 @ Detroit L 91–108 Scottie Pippen (21) Jason Caffey (10) Michael Jordan (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		68–11
80 April 14 Toronto W 117–100 Michael Jordan (30) Michael Jordan (11) Michael Jordan (10) United Center
23,896 		69–11
81 April 16 @ Miami L 92–102 Scottie Pippen (28) Michael Jordan (8) Luc Longley (5) Miami Arena
15,200 		69–12
82 April 19 New York L 101–103 Michael Jordan (33) 3 players tied (6) Scottie Pippen (12) United Center
24,161 		69–13
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs[]

1997 playoff game log
Total: 15–4 (Home: 10–1; Road: 5–3)
First Round: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 25 Washington W 98–86 Michael Jordan (29) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (8) United Center
24,122 		1–0
2 April 27 Washington W 109–104 Michael Jordan (55) Scottie Pippen (9) Luc Longley (6) United Center
24,267 		2–0
3 April 30 @ Washington W 96–95 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (10) Michael Jordan (6) US Airways Arena
18,756 		3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 6 Atlanta W 100–97 Michael Jordan (34) Michael Jordan (11) Michael Jordan (6) United Center
24,397 		1–0
2 May 8 Atlanta L 95–103 Michael Jordan (27) Michael Jordan (16) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center
24,544 		1–1
3 May 10 @ Atlanta W 100–80 Michael Jordan (21) Jason Caffey (11) Kukoč & Pippen (5) Omni Coliseum
16,378 		2–1
4 May 11 @ Atlanta W 89–80 Michael Jordan (27) Jordan & Pippen (8) 3 players tied (4) Omni Coliseum
16,378 		3–1
5 May 13 Atlanta W 107–92 Michael Jordan (24) Dele & Longley (10) Jordan & Pippen (7) United Center
24,544 		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 Miami W 84–77 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (19) Harper & Pippen (4) United Center
24,544 		1–0
2 May 22 Miami W 75–68 Jordan & Pippen (23) Dennis Rodman (10) Ron Harper (6) United Center
24,544 		2–0
3 May 24 @ Miami W 98–74 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (9) Toni Kukoč (6) Miami Arena
14,720 		3–0
4 May 26 @ Miami L 80–87 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (11) Scottie Pippen (5) Miami Arena
14,720 		3–1
5 May 28 Miami W 100–87 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (7) United Center
24,544 		4–1
NBA Finals: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 1 Utah W 84–82 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (12) Michael Jordan (8) United Center
24,544 		1–0
2 June 4 Utah W 97–85 Michael Jordan (38) Michael Jordan (13) Michael Jordan (9) United Center
24,544 		2–0
3 June 6 @ Utah L 93–104 Scottie Pippen (27) Ron Harper (7) Michael Jordan (6) Delta Center
19,911 		2–1
4 June 8 @ Utah L 73–78 Michael Jordan (22) Scottie Pippen (12) 3 players tied (4) Delta Center
19,911 		2–2
5 June 11 @ Utah W 90–88 Michael Jordan (38) Scottie Pippen (10) Jordan & Pippen (5) Delta Center
19,911 		3–2
6 June 13 Utah W 90–86 Michael Jordan (39) Jordan & Rodman (11) Michael Jordan (4) United Center
24,544 		4–2
1997 schedule

Player stats[]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Randy Brown 72 3 14.7 .420 .182 .679 1.5 1.8 1.12 .24 4.7
Jud Buechler 76 0 9.2 .367 .333 .357 1.7 .8 .30 .28 1.8
Jason Caffey 75 19 18.7 .532 .000 .659 4.0 1.2 .33 .12 7.3
Bison Dele 9 0 15.3 .413 .000 .733 3.7 1.3 .33 .56 7.0
Ron Harper 76 74 22.9 .436 .362 .707 2.5 2.5 1.13 .50 6.3
Michael Jordan 82 82 37.9 .486 .374 .833 5.9 4.3 1.71 .54 29.6
Steve Kerr 82 0 22.7 .533 .464 .806 1.6 2.1 .82 .04 8.1
Toni Kukoč 57 15 28.2 .471 .331 .770 4.6 4.5 1.05 .51 13.2
Luc Longley 59 59 24.9 .456 .000 .792 5.6 2.4 .39 1.12 9.1
Robert Parish 43 3 9.4 .490 .000 .677 2.1 .5 .14 .44 3.7
Scottie Pippen 82 82 37.7 .474 .368 .701 6.5 5.7 1.88 .55 20.2
Dennis Rodman 55 54 35.4 .448 .263 .568 16.1 3.1 .58 .35 5.7
Dickey Simpkins 48 0 8.2 .333 .250 .700 1.9 .6 .10 .10 1.9
Matt Steigenga 2 0 6.0 .250 .000 .500 1.5 1.0 .50 .50 1.5
Bill Wennington 61 19 12.8 .498 .000 .830 2.1 .7 .16 .18 4.6

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Randy Brown 17 5.8 .300 .000 .600 .6 .4 .47 .12 1.2
Jud Buechler 18 7.7 .419 .333 .600 1.3 .3 .17 .06 1.8
Jason Caffey 17 9.8 .455 .000 .786 2.5 .9 .18 .18 2.4
Bison Dele 19 17.7 .481 .000 .516 3.7 .6 1.00 .42 6.1
Ron Harper 19 27.1 .400 .344 .750 4.3 3.0 1.26 .74 7.5
Michael Jordan 19 42.3 .456 .194 .831 7.9 4.8 1.58 .89 31.1
Steve Kerr 19 17.9 .429 .381 .929 .9 1.1 .89 .11 5.0
Toni Kukoč 19 22.3 .360 .358 .707 2.8 2.8 .68 .21 7.9
Luc Longley 19 22.7 .548 .000 .385 4.4 1.8 .37 .84 6.5
Robert Parish 2 9.0 .143 .000 .000 2.0 .0 .00 1.50 1.0
Scottie Pippen 19 39.6 .417 .345 .791 6.8 3.8 1.47 .95 19.2
Dennis Rodman 19 28.2 .370 .250 .577 8.4 1.4 .53 .21 4.2

NBA finals[]

Schedule[]

  • Game 1 – June 1, Sunday @Chicago, Chicago 84, Utah 82: Chicago leads series 1-0
  • Game 2 – June 4, Wednesday @Chicago, Chicago 97, Utah 85: Chicago leads series 2-0
  • Game 3 – June 6, Friday @Utah, Utah 104, Chicago 93: Chicago leads series 2-1
  • Game 4 – June 8, Sunday @Utah, Utah 78, Chicago 73: Series tied 2-2
  • Game 5 – June 11, Wednesday @Utah, Chicago 90, Utah 88: Chicago leads series 3-2
  • Game 6 – June 13, Friday @Chicago, Chicago 90, Utah 86: Chicago wins series 4-2

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage's (Chicago's) home court (United Center).

Game 1[]

Sunday, June 1, at the United Center

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Utah 18 24 22 18 82
Chicago 17 21 24 22 84

Game 2[]

Wednesday, June 4, at the United Center

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Utah 20 11 28 26 85
Chicago 25 22 31 19 97

Game 3[]

Friday, June 6, at the Delta Center

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Chicago 22 23 15 33 93
Utah 31 30 16 27 104

Game 4[]

Sunday, June 8, at the Delta Center

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Chicago 16 24 16 17 73
Utah 21 14 21 22 78

Game 5: The Flu Game[]

Wednesday, June 11, at the Delta Center

Game 5, often referred to as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordan's most memorable. Just 24 hours earlier, on June 10, 1997, Michael Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning. The Bulls trainers told Jordan that there was no way he could play in the game. The Jazz had just won two in a row to tie the series, and Chicago needed their leader in this critical swing game. Against all odds, Jordan rose from bed at 3:00 p.m., just in time for the 6:00 tip-off at the Delta Center.

Jordan was visibly weak and pale as he stepped onto the court for Game Five. At first, he displayed no energy whatsoever, and John Stockton, along with reigning MVP Karl Malone, quickly led the Jazz to a 16-point lead. But in the second quarter, Jordan started to sink shots despite lacking his usual explosive speed and hardly being able to concentrate. He scored 17 points in the quarter as the Bulls hit the front before halftime.

Luc Longley and Scottie Pippen did their best to keep the Bulls in the game while Jordan was fatigued again in the third. But Jordan turned it on again, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch rebound and three-point shot with the game tied and under a minute left that put the Bulls up by three points. Chicago held on for a narrow victory.

Jordan finished the game with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Malone was the highest-scoring Jazz player with 19 points but suffered from some dreadful shooting. Jordan stayed on the court for 44 minutes, resting for only four minutes while being perpetually at the brink of fainting. With only a few seconds remaining and the game finally at hand, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms.[20]

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Chicago 16 33 18 23 90
Utah 29 24 19 16 88

Game 6[]

Friday, June 13, at the United Center

Michael Jordan was not fully recovered from the flu, but was feeling much better and led the Bulls with 39 points. In the third quarter Michael Jordan dunked after a steal, bringing the crowd to its feet. The Bulls trailed by 9 points early in the fourth quarter but went on a 10-0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes when Steve Kerr hit a 3-pointer, but the Jazz would regain the lead. In the final minutes, Jordan's fadeaway on the baseline put the Bulls up by 3, before Bryon Russell hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 86-86. The two teams would fail to score on their next possessions. With 28 seconds left after Shandon Anderson missed a reverse layup, the Jazz expected Jordan to take the final shot. Instead, Jordan passed off to Steve Kerr, who hit a shot with 5 seconds left to send the United Center crowd into a frenzy. The Jazz looked for one final shot to stay alive, but Scottie Pippen made a massive defensive play as he knocked away Bryon Russell's inbound pass intended for Shandon Anderson and was able to pass the ball over to Toni Kukoč, who dunked the final 2 points of the game to bring the Finals to an end. Afterwards, Jordan was named the NBA Finals MVP.

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Utah 23 21 26 16 86
Chicago 17 20 27 26 90

Awards and honors[]

  • Scottie Pippen, Forward, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
  • Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
  • Robert Parish, Center, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
  • Michael Jordan, All-NBA Team, First Team
  • Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA Finals MVP
  • Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
  • Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goals (920)
  • Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1892)
  • Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Total Points (2431)
  • Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (29.6 points per game)

References[]

  1. ^ "1996-97 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats - Basketball-Reference.com".
  2. ^ "PARISH'S 21ST SEASON WILL BE ON MADISON ST". Chicago Tribune. September 26, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "JORDAN, PIPPEN ALL-STARS AGAIN". Chicago Tribune. January 27, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "1996–97 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "WILLIAMS JUMPS INTO ACTION A LITTLE EARLY FOR THE BULLS". Chicago Tribune. April 5, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot". New York Times. April 20, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  8. ^ "1996–97 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "NBA kicks back at Rodman 11-game suspension could cost Bulls star more than $1 million". Baltimore Sun. January 18, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  10. ^ "KNEE INJURY DROPS WORM". Chicago Tribune. March 27, 1997. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "KUKOC ON INJURED LIST WITH STRAIN". Chicago Tribune. March 4, 1997. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "IN THEIR FINAL SHOT, BULLETS JUST MISS". Washington Post. May 1, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Bulls, Led By Rodman, Keep Going". New York Times. May 14, 1997. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "Chicago's Late Heroics Fail to Arrive in Game 2". New York Times. May 9, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  16. ^ "HOT STUFF! HEAT STUFFED". Chicago Tribune. May 29, 1997. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "BULLS GOT THERE BECAUSE THEY'D BEEN THERE". Chicago Tribune. June 16, 1997. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Ex-Celtic Parish Ends His Career After 21 Years". Los Angeles Times. September 7, 1997. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  19. ^ "BRIAN WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH PISTONS". Chicago Tribune. August 17, 1997. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  20. ^ "QUEASY DOES IT". Chicago Tribune. June 12, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

External links[]

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