Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Wikipedia

1996–97 Chicago Bulls season

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][3][4][5] 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.

1996–97 Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPhil Jackson
General managerJerry Krause
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 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,[6][7][8][9] in which Jordan recorded the first triple-double in an All-Star Game (14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists).[10][11][12][13] It was also Pippen's seventh and final All-Star appearance. 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 of the season,[14][15] while posting a 42–6 record before the All-Star break.[16] In 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 regular season as a backup center for the Bulls.[17][18][19][20] 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 three-pointer 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.[21][22][23][24][25] The Bulls had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[26]

Jordan led the league in scoring once again, averaging 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, while Pippen averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team. Both Jordan and Pippen were named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Rodman led the league with 16.1 rebounds per game,[27] but only played 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,[28][29][30][31][32] and a knee injury which cost him to miss the final 13 games of the regular season.[33][34][35][36] Kukoč provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.2 points per game, but only played 57 games due to a foot injury,[37][38][39] while Luc Longley provided the team with 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Kerr contributed 8.1 points per game off the bench, while shooting .464 in three-point field goal percentage, second-year forward Jason Caffey averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, starting at power forward in a few games during Rodman's suspension, and Ron Harper contributed 6.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.[27]

Jordan also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting.[40][41] Meanwhile, Pippen finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Jordan finished in fifth place,[42] and Kukoč finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[43][44][45][46] Kerr also won the Three-Point Shootout during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.[47][48][49]

In the playoffs, the Bulls would sweep the Washington Bullets in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round.[50][51][52][53] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in five games,[54][55][56][57] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95.[58][59][60] In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the NBA Finals,[61][62][63][64] where they defeated regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz in six games for their fifth title in seven years.[65][66][67][68][69]

Following the season, Parish retired after 21 seasons in the NBA,[70][71][72] while Williams signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[73][74][75][76] and Dickey Simpkins was traded to the Golden State Warriors.[77][78]

Offseason

edit

NBA draft

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

Roster

edit
1996–97 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB 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
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   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
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 12, 1997

Regular season

edit

Season standings

edit
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

edit
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

edit

Regular season

edit
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

edit
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

edit
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

edit
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

edit
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 5 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 19 27.1 .400 .344 .750 4.3 3.0 1.26 .74 7.5
Michael Jordan 19 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 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 19 39.6 .417 .345 .791 6.8 3.8 1.47 .95 19.2
Dennis Rodman 19 14 28.2 .370 .250 .577 8.4 1.4 .53 .21 4.2

NBA finals

edit

Schedule

edit
  • 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

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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.[79][80][81][82][83]

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

Game 6

edit

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.[65]

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

Awards and honors

edit

NBA All-Star Game

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "1996-97 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats - Basketball-Reference.com".
  2. ^ "Parish, 43, Signs 2-Year Pact with Bulls". The New York Times. September 26, 1996. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "Parish, 43, Joins the Bulls as Backup". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 26, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Armour, Terry (September 26, 1996). "Parish's 21st Season Will Be on Madison St". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  5. ^ "Parish Keeps Rolling". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 26, 1996. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Armour, Terry (January 27, 1997). "Jordan, Pippen All-Stars Again". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  10. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1997). "N.B.A. Honors Its Past; Can It Live Up to It?". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  11. ^ Wise, Mike (February 10, 1997). "Rice Stages His Own Shootout in East's Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1997). "An All-Star Turns Into All-Timer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "Bulls 110, Nuggets 92". United Press International. November 22, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets Box Score, November 21, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Bulls Sign C-F Williams". United Press International. April 2, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Baker, Chris (April 3, 1997). "Clippers' Loss Becomes Bulls' Gain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  19. ^ "Williams Signs with Chicago". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 3, 1997. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Isaacson, Melissa (April 5, 1997). "Williams Jumps In Action a Little Too Early for the Bulls". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  21. ^ Wise, Mike (April 20, 1997). "Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  22. ^ Brown, Clifton (April 20, 1997). "When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  23. ^ Armour, Terry (April 20, 1997). "Knicks 103, Bulls 101". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  24. ^ "New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "1996–97 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  26. ^ "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  27. ^ a b "1996–97 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  28. ^ "Rodman Kicks a Cameraman". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 16, 1997. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "Rodman Kicks Up Controversy While Bulls Win Eighth in Row". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 16, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  30. ^ "Rodman Kicks Cameraman in Minnesota". The Washington Post. January 16, 1997. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  31. ^ Armour, Terry (January 18, 1997). "Rodman Suspended for 11 Games--at Least". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "Rodman to Pay Cameraman". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 21, 1997. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  33. ^ Brown, Clifton (March 27, 1997). "Bulls Lose Rodman for Last 13 Games". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  34. ^ "Rodman Out Until Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 27, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  35. ^ Armour, Terry (March 27, 1997). "Knee Injury Drops Worm". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  36. ^ Armour, Terry (March 27, 1997). "Bulls Lose Rodman to Knee Injury". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  37. ^ "Bulls' Kukoc Injured". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 4, 1997. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  38. ^ "Foot Injury Sidelines Bulls' Kukoc". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 4, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  39. ^ Armour, Terry (March 4, 1997). "Kukoc on Injured List with Strain". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  40. ^ "Malone Beats Out Jordan for M.V.P". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 19, 1997. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  41. ^ Kawakami, Tim (May 19, 1997). "MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  42. ^ Saladino, Tom (April 25, 1997). "Mutombo Tops on Defense". South Coast Today. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  43. ^ "Sixth Man Award for Starks". The New York Times. April 24, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  44. ^ "Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  45. ^ "NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery". SFGate. Staff and Wire Reports. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  46. ^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  47. ^ Sheridan, Chris (February 8, 1997). "Bryant, Kerr & Iverson Highlight All-Star Saturday". Associated Press. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  48. ^ Roberts, Selena (February 9, 1997). "Iverson Takes Rookie Honor, But He's No M.V.P. to Fans". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  49. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 9, 1997). "For Bryant, the Motto Is "Just Say Shoot"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  50. ^ Roberts, Selena (May 1, 1997). "Bulls Prevail, But Bullets Go Out Fighting". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  51. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 1, 1997). "In Their Final Shot, Bullets Just Miss". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  52. ^ Armour, Terry (May 1, 1997). "Sweating Bullets". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  53. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bullets vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  54. ^ Roberts, Selena (May 14, 1997). "Bulls, Led by Rodman, Keep Going". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  55. ^ Nadel, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Bulls Send Hawks Flying, 107-92". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  56. ^ Isaacson, Melissa (May 14, 1997). "Plenty of Reasons for Bulls' Playoff Success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  57. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hawks vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  58. ^ Nadel, Mike (May 8, 1997). "Hawks 103, Bulls 95". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  59. ^ Berkow, Ira (May 9, 1997). "Chicago's Late Heroics Fail to Arrive in Game 2". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  60. ^ Bagnato, Andrew (May 9, 1997). "When Push Comes to Shove". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  61. ^ Wise, Mike (May 29, 1997). "A Redeemed Jordan Sends Heat Packing". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  62. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 29, 1997). "Bulls Get Cooking, Turn Off the Heat". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  63. ^ Armour, Terry (May 29, 1997). "Hot Stuff! Heat Stuffed". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  64. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Heat vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  65. ^ a b Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  66. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  67. ^ Johnson, K.C. (June 16, 1997). "Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  68. ^ Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  69. ^ "1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  70. ^ "Parish Retires After 21 Years". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 26, 1997. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  71. ^ "Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns". Los Angeles Times. August 26, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  72. ^ "Parish Ends NBA Career After 21 Seasons and 1,611 Games". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 26, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  73. ^ "Williams Signs with Pistons". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  74. ^ "Ex-Clipper Williams Signs with Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 17, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  75. ^ Thompson, Jack (August 17, 1997). "Brian Williams Signs with Pistons". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  76. ^ "Pistons Sign Williams". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 17, 1997. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  77. ^ Armour, Terry (September 20, 1997). "Simpkins-Burrell Trade In Works". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  78. ^ Steele, David (September 23, 1997). "Warriors Acquire Bulls' Simpkins; Burrell Swapped for 6-10 Power Forward". SFGate. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  79. ^ Wise, Mike (June 12, 1997). "Weary Jordan Wills His Team Just One Away". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  80. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 12, 1997). "Jordan Makes Jazz Air Sick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  81. ^ Adande, J.A. (June 12, 1997). "Ill Star Lifts Bulls in Game 5". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  82. ^ Armour, Terry (June 12, 1997). "Queasy Does It". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  83. ^ Rock, Brad (June 12, 1997). "Jordan Mere Mortal? Don't You Believe It!". Deseret News. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1996–97_Chicago_Bulls_season&oldid=1254363195"