A game to remember... 1996 @ Indiana, Bulls win a Legendary memorable battle vs the hard hitting Pacers Michael Jordan hit 44 points Scottie Pippen had 40 points Dennis Rodman grabbed 23 rebounds
The Bulls title runs were no flukes, but they never get recognized for one HUGE break they caught along the way; no significant injuries in any of their runs. The Celtics, Sixers, Lakers, and Pistons all had titles left on the table during their Finals runs because of injuries. The Bulls were talented….and blessed with good health.(
@dereklarner6298 The Bulls last season Pippen barely played. He was a useless tit in the playoff run as well. Jordan carried hard that season with the help of Rodman.
@@2414kels I know he was. But it still cracks me up I remember watching live and would laugh. Like damn Rodman. You could probably score 20 ppg if you wanted to but only wanted defense and rebounds. Bc he knew that was his role.
@@jordanhutton5787it was 2 seasons later. This game is 1996/96 regular season. The Pacers took the Bulls to 7 games was in the ECF 1998. The Pacers strengthened their team by adding some extra firepower in the offence, acquiring GSW legend Chris Mullin who is also a member of the 1992 USA Dream Team.
Normally, you see a slowed down pace where the PG dribbles it up the court after a rebound but Rodman initiates a lot of fast breaks from his rebounds. Such an underrated skill to have.
Most people don't realize things like this. The way he started so many fast breaks was a huge benefit to their offense. It gave them a big edge, but you won't see that in most stats
His passing was appreciated but underrated. And the dude could make just about any kind of pass. Down court, alley oop, behind the back, no look, between defenders, all of it. I think he even nutmegged a dude once (between defender's legs).
Back then watching these three was a treat, you would not want to move away from the TV. I would be glued to the TV for the entire game. Next day, couldn't wait to watch the highlights. 96 season was RED Hot BULLSSSSSS.
@@BlindfoldSniper He even did it on the road. I got to see Rodman with the Bulls twice, both times when they played in Orlando (I live in Tampa). And in both games, there were times when the road crowd gave him some cheers/props for his effort and energy. Fans always love those underdogs who rise to greatness through sheer grit and determination. And Rodman wasn't low key about it, he showed his emotions and like interacted with the crowd. I remember at the one game, he fouled someone, and the crowd booed, so he like waved his arms as he comes off the floor, basically telling the crowd FU, so then the crowd really booed. lol. He fed off of them, and they fed off of him.
I've been watching basketball for about 47 years and I've never seen a basketball player with as many basketball moves as Jordan had. This dude was just unbelievable! No wonder why he was so unstoppable
Bulls ultimately finished the '95-'96 season (playoffs included) with the better record too. Their 87-13 record that season is absurd. Perhaps even more absurd, they backed it up in '97-'98 with what would have been an all-time record tying 69-13 regular season, and an 84-17 record including the playoffs, if not for the previous season already breaking the record.
Why do people feel the need to bash one team, to uplift the other? I consider the 72-10 Bulls squad the goat. They were 6-0 in the finals. Two different 3peats, courtesy of MJ. And as team, hardware wise the Warriors are the best of their era.
I’m 57 and watched the entire 3 peat run with Rodman on the Bulls. Had most all their games on my cable station. Best team ever. They had so many highly competitive regular season games. Everybody gave it all to try and beat them. Nobody took a game off for “load management “. I would love to watch that entire run again if they aired every game on tv in order. It would probably get higher ratings than today’s nba. Serious
MJ’s double fake on Reggie M was extraordinary. MJ just glides and floats across the court. So graceful and economical in all his moves. I love MJ, but DR is my all time fav player.
Back then...the NBA teams either got swept or had a losing record that year against the Bulls. The Pacers were the only team to have a .500 record against the Bulls.
We can see old basketball how great the team and players. Jordan and pippen scored 40 point plus each player and Rodman 23 rebound. Bulls only won small margin points. How hard and competitive the league was. Cos they play with heart to the game and for the team franchise so the audiences worth it the money too. Now adays tickets more expensive but quality of basketball lower and lower.
I remember like it was yesterday!!! Greatest game by far by Chicago's big three!! Loved watching the Bulls!! No way any team can beat this team!! I wish they could play in the world today.. it would be crazy!! If the Warriors racked up 73 wins against this defense, the Bulls would sure go undefeated!! And Lewhine might not have any runs to the finals at all!! Yes Lewhine fans!! I said it!! Your idol would not make it in the 90s, and if that Bulls team was in his era, he would be just another role player!!
lol they claimed the 90s was played at slow pace when clearly you see these guys running and moving as quick as these guys today jordan was double and triple teamed and still dropped 44
on March 18, 1968 Wilt Chamberlain committed the only (unofficial) quintuple double in nba history _a quintuple double is when a players has at least 10 points 10 rebounds 10 assists, 10 steals and 10 blocks in a single game_ Wilt had 53 points 32 rebounds 14 assists 24 blocks ad 11 steals against the Lakers TOP THAT JORDAN/RODMAN/PIPPEN !!!!
The Way I See It, This Team Was Nearly UnbeataBULL! Golden State Would Have No Answers On Defense! Steph Is Too Small For Harper Or MJ. Post Ups For Both Harp & MJ. Steph Eventually Fouls Out. Durant & Klay Also Fall N2 Foul Trouble Because Of Pip, Rodman & MJ. Then There's Kukoc.
The weapon that this team was cannot be understated. Two All-NBA players in Pippen and Jordan and three on the all-defensive team in Pippen, Jordan and Rodman. The sixth man of the year and just strong bit players who helped in their own way. It was a team that was fun to watch on both ends of the floor for all 48 minutes.
Bulls in 5. Pippen guards Iggy and helps defend everything else, Harper guards Curry, Jordan guards Klay, Longley guards the paint, Rodman guards KD. Curry puts up his numbers, KD works hard to put up numbers but does. Everyone else is a non factor. Curry can't guard anyone. Draymond stays in foul trouble. Iggy stays in foul trouble. Longley has a double double against Dray or Looney. Plus Kukoc comes off the bench. Warriors can't play man to man defense. If they play a zone the Bulls kill them inside. Bulls played man to man and kept three point shooting teams that year under 100 points. So yeah. Bulls in 5.
The bulls would not have been able to guard 3 players that can drop 50 lol just stop. The bulls in the 90s never had to face a stacked team like the 80s celtics or lakers. They would not have beat those teams nor would have beat the KD warrios. Curry and Klay broke the bulls 70 win mark WITHOUT Kevin Durant their finals mvp in 2017.
So a combined points rebounds of 107 for three players. Wilt had 129 points rebounds combined all by himself once. And had 87 combined in a finals game against the Bill Russell Celtics once (55 rebounds).
They were proper rebounds. Modern ball shouldn't even count rebounds as a stat. The other team puts up a three and everyone runs away except one. So many small guards leading teams in rebounds is just because they are left to bring the ball up the court. Rodman would destroy them.
My son is 10 years old starting basketball….I’m trying to teach him the importance of grabbing rebounds…..just told him about Rodman the other day…grab 20 rebounds and it doesn’t matter what else you do
A mid February game, two playoff bound teams, regardless of the outcome of this game. Really nothing to play for. Today, some of the stars would sit out a game like this for “load management.” These players balled out like it was the 7th game of the finals, every night. That’s why no one will ever be like Jordan, who brought it every. Single. Night. Didn’t matter what month, the opponent, high stakes game or low stakes, he looked to destroy you every game. And he made his teammates do it too.
Even with pip and MJ scoring 40 a piece and rodzilla rebounding they still barley won, shows you how good the pacers were. Don’t give me that bulls didn’t play anybody crap
