1995–96 Chicago Bulls season
Encyclopedia
In the 1995–96 season, the Chicago Bulls
set an NBA record by becoming the first team to win 70 regular season games. They finished the season with a record of 72–10 and would go on to defeat the Seattle SuperSonics
in the 1996 NBA Finals
.
were traded from the Spurs
to the Bulls
for Will Perdue
and cash considerations to fill a large void at power forward left by Horace Grant, who left the Bulls prior to the 1994–95 NBA season.
Haley only played in 1 game during the regular season and didn't participate in the playoffs. He was best-known for his friendship with the enigmatic Rodman.
In his book Bad as I Wanna Be, Rodman stated that Michael Jordan
and Scottie Pippen
had to approve the trade before it took place. Rodman chose the number 91 (9+1=10 according to Rodman for why he chose that number) for his jersey since #10 was retired by the Bulls in 1995 in honor of Bob Love
.
}
, Scottie Pippen
, and Dennis Rodman
led Chicago to the NBA Finals as the Bulls had a historic run. The Bulls finished 72–10 in the regular season to break the 1971–72 Lakers
' record of 69 wins in a season. In his first full season since returning to the NBA, Jordan won his eighth scoring title to break Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven and also came away with a triple crown of awards: the MVP awards for the regular season, All-Star Game and NBA Finals. The Bulls improved 25 games from the previous year's 47–35 record to their all-time record 72 regular season wins. In addition, they would go on to set another regular season landmark by becoming the fastest team to 41 wins; by going 41–3 before losing their 4th game that year, which was also a record once held by the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers, who got off to a 39–3 start. They would win 33 road games, setting yet another NBA record. They also had a 39–2 home record, which was one win shy of tying the Boston Celtics for best home record in history. For these reasons, many fans and media members regard the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls to be the greatest NBA team of all time.
Later, in the playoffs
, the Bulls easily made their way to the NBA Finals
and the NBA championship. Rodman, Jordan, and Scottie Pippen all made the All-Defensive First Team, the first time three players from the same team made it on the first team. Rodman led the league in rebounding for the fifth straight year, and Jordan won the scoring title, the second time that teammates had led the league in scoring and rebounding.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
set an NBA record by becoming the first team to win 70 regular season games. They finished the season with a record of 72–10 and would go on to defeat the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
in the 1996 NBA Finals
1996 NBA Finals
The 1996 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1995-96 NBA season of the National Basketball Association. The Seattle SuperSonics of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference, with the Bulls holding home court advantage...
.
Offseason
Prior the 1995–96 NBA season, Ian Loeffelholz and Jack HaleyJack Haley (basketball)
Jack Kevin Haley is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'10" forward/center from Huntington Beach High School and UCLA, Haley spent nine seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio...
were traded from the Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
to the Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
for Will Perdue
Will Perdue
William Edward Perdue is a retired American NBA basketball player who won four NBA Championships. Perdue is now an ESPN basketball commentator and analyst.Perdue attended Merritt Island High School, Merritt Island, Florida...
and cash considerations to fill a large void at power forward left by Horace Grant, who left the Bulls prior to the 1994–95 NBA season.
Haley only played in 1 game during the regular season and didn't participate in the playoffs. He was best-known for his friendship with the enigmatic Rodman.
In his book Bad as I Wanna Be, Rodman stated that Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
had to approve the trade before it took place. Rodman chose the number 91 (9+1=10 according to Rodman for why he chose that number) for his jersey since #10 was retired by the Bulls in 1995 in honor of Bob Love
Bob Love
Robert ' Earl “Butterbean” Love is a retired American professional basketball player who spent the prime of his career with the NBA's Chicago Bulls...
.
NBA Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Jason Caffey Jason Caffey Jason Andre Caffey is an American former professional basketball player who won two championship rings with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s... |
F | Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball program has a history of being among the best of the Southeastern Conference . It trails only Kentucky in basketball wins, SEC tournament titles, and SEC regular season titles in the 12-member conference. The team is coached by head coach Anthony Grant,... |
| 2 | 31 | Dragan Tarlac Dragan Tarlac Dragan Tarlać is a retired Serbian / Greek professional basketball player. He played in the NBA. He is 2.11 m in height.-Europe:... |
C | Olympiakos Olympiacos BC Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions... (Greece A1 Ethniki The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA... ) |
Roster
| Players | Coaches |
|---|---|
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Luc Longley Luc Longley Lucien James "Luc" Longley is a retired Australian professional basketball player, who was the first Australian to play in the NBA, where he played for eleven seasons... |
Bill Wennington Bill Wennington William Percey Wennington is a retired Canadian basketball player in the National Basketball Association who won three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. A center, he was also a member of two Canadian Olympic Basketball Teams and the 1983 World University Games team that won gold against... |
James Edwards James Edwards (basketball) James Franklin Edwards is a retired American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Buddha" for his appearance and stoic demeanor, the 7' 0" Edwards played 19 years in the NBA, playing both the center and power forward positions... |
|
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Dennis Rodman Dennis Rodman Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The... |
Dickey Simpkins Dickey Simpkins LuBara Dixon "Dickey" Simpkins is an American former professional basketball player best known for his tenure with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s... |
Jason Caffey Jason Caffey Jason Andre Caffey is an American former professional basketball player who won two championship rings with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s... |
Jack Haley Jack Haley John Joseph "Jack" Haley was an American stage, radio, and film actor best known for his portrayal of the Tin Man and Kansas farmworker Hickory in The Wizard of Oz.-Career:... John Salley John Salley John Thomas "Spider" Salley is a retired American professional basketball player, actor and talk show host. He was the first player in NBA history to play on three different championship-winning franchises.... |
| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Scottie Pippen Scottie Pippen Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins... |
Toni Kukoč Toni Kukoc Toni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were... |
||
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats... |
Jud Buechler Jud Buechler Judson Donald "Jud" Buechler is a retired American professional basketball player. He grew up in Poway, CA and attended Poway High School, where he was a top basketball recruit as well as a Top-50 men's volleyball prospect.... |
||
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Ron Harper Ron Harper Ronald "Ron" Harper is a retired American professional basketball player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001 with four teams in the NBA. At 6 ft 6 in , his position was shooting guard/point guard.- Collegiate career :... |
Steve Kerr Steve Kerr Stephen Douglas "Steve" Kerr is a retired American professional basketball player. He shot .454 from three point range over his career and currently holds the record as the most accurate three-point shooter in NBA history... |
Randy Brown Randy Brown Randy Brown is a retired American basketball player. A 6'2" guard who played at New Mexico State University, Brown was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft... |
Regular season
Michael JordanMichael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
, and Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
led Chicago to the NBA Finals as the Bulls had a historic run. The Bulls finished 72–10 in the regular season to break the 1971–72 Lakers
1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers season
The highlight of the Los Angeles Lakers season was winning their first NBA title since moving to Los Angeles. The Lakers beat the New York Knicks in five games to win the title, after going 69-13 during the regular-season, a record that stood for 24 seasons...
' record of 69 wins in a season. In his first full season since returning to the NBA, Jordan won his eighth scoring title to break Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven and also came away with a triple crown of awards: the MVP awards for the regular season, All-Star Game and NBA Finals. The Bulls improved 25 games from the previous year's 47–35 record to their all-time record 72 regular season wins. In addition, they would go on to set another regular season landmark by becoming the fastest team to 41 wins; by going 41–3 before losing their 4th game that year, which was also a record once held by the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers, who got off to a 39–3 start. They would win 33 road games, setting yet another NBA record. They also had a 39–2 home record, which was one win shy of tying the Boston Celtics for best home record in history. For these reasons, many fans and media members regard the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls to be the greatest NBA team of all time.
Later, in the playoffs
1996 NBA Playoffs
The 1996 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1995-1996 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their first NBA championship in three years by defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle...
, the Bulls easily made their way to the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
and the NBA championship. Rodman, Jordan, and Scottie Pippen all made the All-Defensive First Team, the first time three players from the same team made it on the first team. Rodman led the league in rebounding for the fifth straight year, and Jordan won the scoring title, the second time that teammates had led the league in scoring and rebounding.
Regular season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 0 | 9.9 | .406 | .091 | .609 | 1.0 | 1.1 | .84 | .18 | 2.7 | |
| 74 | 0 | 10.0 | .463 | .444 | .636 | 1.5 | .8 | .46 | .09 | 3.8 | |
| 57 | 0 | 9.6 | .438 | .000 | .588 | 1.9 | .4 | .21 | .12 | 3.2 | |
| 28 | 0 | 9.8 | .373 | .000 | .615 | 1.4 | .4 | .04 | .29 | 3.5 | |
| 1 | 0 | 7.0 | .333 | .000 | .500 | 2.0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 5.0 | |
| 80 | 80 | 23.6 | .467 | .269 | .705 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 1.31 | .40 | 7.4 | |
| 82 | 82 | 37.7 | .495 | .427 | .834 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 2.20 | .51 | 30.4 | |
| 82 | 0 | 23.4 | .506 | .515 | .929 | 1.3 | 2.3 | .77 | .02 | 8.4 | |
| 81 | 20 | 26.0 | .490 | .403 | .772 | 4.0 | 3.5 | .79 | .35 | 13.1 | |
| 62 | 62 | 26.5 | .482 | .000 | .777 | 5.1 | 1.9 | .35 | 1.35 | 9.1 | |
| 77 | 77 | 36.7 | .463 | .374 | .679 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 1.73 | .74 | 19.4 | |
| 64 | 57 | 32.6 | .480 | .111 | .528 | 14.9 | 2.5 | .56 | .42 | 5.5 | |
| 17 | 0 | 11.2 | .343 | .000 | .600 | 2.5 | .9 | .47 | .88 | 2.1 | |
| 60 | 12 | 11.4 | .481 | 1.000 | .629 | 2.6 | .6 | .15 | .13 | 3.6 | |
| 71 | 20 | 15.0 | .493 | 1.000 | .860 | 2.5 | .6 | .30 | .23 | 5.3 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 7.0 | .571 | .500 | .750 | .6 | .4 | .31 | .06 | 2.8 | ||
| 17 | 7.5 | .474 | .381 | .500 | .6 | .4 | .41 | .00 | 2.7 | ||
| 6 | 4.7 | .444 | .000 | .750 | .7 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 1.8 | ||
| 18 | 27.4 | .425 | .319 | .690 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 1.39 | .39 | 8.8 | ||
| 18 | 40.7 | .459 | .403 | .818 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 1.83 | .33 | 30.7 | ||
| 18 | 19.8 | .448 | .321 | .871 | 1.0 | 1.7 | .78 | .00 | 6.8 | ||
| 15 | 29.3 | .391 | .191 | .838 | 4.2 | 3.9 | .93 | .27 | 10.8 | ||
| 18 | 24.4 | .469 | .000 | .757 | 4.6 | 1.6 | .39 | 1.39 | 8.3 | ||
| 18 | 41.2 | .390 | .286 | .638 | 8.5 | 5.9 | 2.61 | .89 | 16.9 | ||
| 18 | 34.4 | .485 | .000 | .593 | 13.7 | 2.1 | .78 | .44 | 7.5 | ||
| 16 | 5.3 | .545 | .000 | .286 | .7 | .4 | .06 | .12 | .9 | ||
| 18 | 9.4 | .520 | .000 | .500 | 1.7 | .5 | .22 | .06 | 3.0 |
Award winners
- Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
, NBA Coach of the Year - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, All-NBA TeamAll-NBA TeamThe All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The team has been selected in every season of the...
, First Team - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, All-Star GameNational Basketball Association All-Star GameThe National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. From that year on, the game has matched the best players in the Eastern Conference with the best players in the Western Conference....
MVP - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, NBA MVP - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, NBA Finals MVP - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, NBA All-Defensive TeamNBA All-Defensive TeamThe NBA All-Defensive Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1968–69 NBA season to the best defensive players during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; the coaches are not allowed to vote for players on their own team...
, First Team - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Field Goals (916) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1850) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Total Points (2491) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (30.4 points per game) - Scottie PippenScottie PippenScottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
, All-NBA Team, First Team - Scottie PippenScottie PippenScottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
, NBA All-Defensive Team, First Team - Dennis RodmanDennis RodmanDennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
, NBA All-Defensive Team, First Team - Dennis RodmanDennis RodmanDennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
, Regular season leader, Rebounds Per Game (14.9) - Dennis RodmanDennis RodmanDennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
, Regular season leader, Offensive Rebounds (356) - Dennis RodmanDennis RodmanDennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
, Regular season leader, Rebound Rate (26.6) - Toni KukocToni KukocToni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were...
, NBA Sixth Man of the YearNBA Sixth Man of the Year AwardThe National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season to the league's most valuable player for his team coming off the bench as a substitute . A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from throughout...