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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. 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.

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 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] 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.[20][21][22][23][24] The Bulls had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[25]

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,[26] 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,[27][28][29][30][31] and a knee injury which cost him to miss the final 13 games of the regular season.[32][33][34][35] Kukoč provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.2 points per game, but only played 57 games due to a foot injury,[36][37][38] 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.[26] Jordan also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting,[39][40] while Pippen finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Jordan finished in fifth place,[41] and Kukoč finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[42][43][44][45] Kerr also won the Three-Point Shootout during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.[46][47][48]

In the playoffs, the Bulls would sweep the Washington Bullets in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round.[49][50][51][52] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in five games,[53][54][55][56] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95.[57][58][59] In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the NBA Finals,[60][61][62][63] where they defeated regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz in six games for their fifth title in seven years.[64][65][66][67][68]

Following the season, Parish retired after 21 seasons in the NBA,[69][70][71] while Williams signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[72][73][74] and Dickey Simpkins was traded to the Golden State Warriors.[75][76]

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
129Travis KnightC  United StatesUConn

Roster

1996–97 Chicago Bulls roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G1Brown, Randy6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)1968–05–22New Mexico State
F30Buechler, Jud6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)1968–06–19Arizona
F35Caffey, Jason6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)255 lb (116 kg)1973–06–12Alabama
G9Harper, Ron6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg)1964–01–20Miami (OH)
G23Jordan, Michael6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1963–02–17North Carolina
G25Kerr, Steve6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg)1965–09–27Arizona
F7Kukoč, Toni6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)192 lb (87 kg)1968–09–18Croatia
C13Longley, Luc7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)265 lb (120 kg)1969–01–19New Mexico
C00Parish, Robert7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)235 lb (107 kg)1953–08–30Centenary
F33Pippen, Scottie6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg)1965–09–25Central Arkansas
F91Rodman, Dennis6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg)1961–05–13SE Oklahoma State
F8Simpkins, Dickey6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)248 lb (112 kg)1972–04–06Providence
F6Steigenga, Matt6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1970–03–27Michigan State
C34Wennington, Bill  7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)245 lb (111 kg)1963–04–26St. John's
C18Williams, Brian6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)260 lb (118 kg)1969–04–06Arizona
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 12, 1997

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls6913.841–39–230–1124–4
x-Atlanta Hawks5626.6831336–520–2117–11
x-Detroit Pistons5428.6591530–1124–1717–11
x-Charlotte Hornets5428.6591530–1124–1714–14
Cleveland Cavaliers4240.5122725–1617–2413–15
Indiana Pacers3943.4763021–2018–2311–17
Milwaukee Bucks3349.4023620–2113–2810–18
Toronto Raptors3052.3663918–2312–296–22
1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Chicago Bulls6913.841–
2y-Miami Heat6121.7448
3x-New York Knicks5725.69512
4x-Atlanta Hawks5626.68313
5x-Detroit Pistons5428.65915
6x-Charlotte Hornets5428.65915
7x-Orlando Magic4537.54924
8x-Washington Bullets4438.53725
9Cleveland Cavaliers4240.51227
10Indiana Pacers3943.47630
11Milwaukee Bucks3349.40236
12Toronto Raptors3052.36639
13New Jersey Nets2656.31743
14Philadelphia 76ers2260.26847
15Boston Celtics1567.18354

Record vs. opponents

1996–97 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta—3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston1–3—0–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte3–14–0—0–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago3–14–04–0—3–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland1–32–11–31–3—2–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas0–21–11–10–20–2—3–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver1–11–10–20–21–11–3—0–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit3–14–02–21–32–22–02–0—2–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–2—0–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–0—1–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–1—2–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–2—2–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–2—1–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–1—4–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–4—0–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–0—2–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–2—2–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–2—3–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–3—2–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–2—1–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–1—1–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–1—2–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–2—3–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–3—0–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–0—2–01–34–02–0
Toronto0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–2—1–11–12–2
Utah1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–1—4–02–0
Vancouver0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–4—1–1
Washington1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1—

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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1November 1@ BostonW 107–98Michael Jordan (30)Dennis Rodman (13)Toni Kukoč (7)FleetCenter
18,624		1–0
2November 2PhiladelphiaW 115–86Michael Jordan (27)Dennis Rodman (12)Scottie Pippen (9)United Center
24,040		2–0
3November 5VancouverW 96–73Michael Jordan (22)Dennis Rodman (19)Scottie Pippen (8)United Center
23,726		3–0
4November 6@ MiamiW 106–100Michael Jordan (50)Dennis Rodman (22)Scottie Pippen (5)Miami Arena
15,200		4–0
5November 8@ DetroitW 98–803 players tied (16)Dennis Rodman (20)Michael Jordan (8)The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		5–0
6November 9BostonW 104–92Michael Jordan (27)Scottie Pippen (12)Scottie Pippen (11)United Center
23,813		6–0
7November 11PhoenixW 97–79Michael Jordan (26)Dennis Rodman (22)Scottie Pippen (7)United Center
23,807		7–0
8November 13MiamiW 103–71Michael Jordan (28)Dennis Rodman (19)Brown & Kukoč (4)United Center
23,889		8–0
9November 15@ CharlotteW 110–87Michael Jordan (38)Dennis Rodman (17)Scottie Pippen (7)Charlotte Coliseum
24,042		9–0
10November 16AtlantaW 97–69Michael Jordan (25)Dennis Rodman (15)Scottie Pippen (7)United Center
23,939		10–0
11November 20@ PhoenixW 113–99Jordan & Pippen (37)Dennis Rodman (16)Scottie Pippen (7)America West Arena
19,023		11–0
12November 21@ DenverW 110–92Michael Jordan (31)3 players tied (7)Pippen & Rodman (5)McNichols Sports Arena
17,171		12–0
13November 23@ UtahL 100–105Michael Jordan (44)Dennis Rodman (10)Michael Jordan (4)Delta Center
19,911		12–1
14November 25@ L.A. ClippersW 88–84Michael Jordan (40)Dennis Rodman (14)Kukoč & Pippen (4)Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,144		13–1
15November 29@ DallasW 116–97Michael Jordan (36)Dennis Rodman (19)Toni Kukoč (6)Reunion Arena
18,042		14–1
16November 30@ San AntonioW 97–88Michael Jordan (35)Dennis Rodman (14)Scottie Pippen (8)Alamodome
37,058		15–1
December: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
17December 3@ MilwaukeeW 107–104Michael Jordan (40)Dennis Rodman (12)Jordan & Pippen (6)Bradley Center
18,717		16–1
18December 5L.A. ClippersW 114–96Scottie Pippen (25)Dennis Rodman (14)Toni Kukoč (12)United Center
23,687		17–1
19December 7MiamiL 80–83Michael Jordan (37)Dennis Rodman (18)Scottie Pippen (5)United Center
23,861		17–2
20December 8@ TorontoL 89–97Scottie Pippen (28)Dennis Rodman (11)Michael Jordan (8)SkyDome
33,385		17–3
21December 11MinnesotaW 103–86Michael Jordan (27)Scottie Pippen (9)Scottie Pippen (8)United Center
23,505		18–3
22December 13@ New JerseyW 113–92Michael Jordan (32)Bill Wennington (8)Jordan & Pippen (6)Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		19–3
23December 14CharlotteW 87–82Michael Jordan (29)Dennis Rodman (23)Jordan & Pippen (5)United Center
23,771		20–3
24December 17L.A. LakersW 129–123 (OT)Scottie Pippen (35)Dennis Rodman (18)Scottie Pippen (6)United Center
23,919		21–3
25December 19@ CharlotteW 93–72Michael Jordan (35)Dennis Rodman (14)Dennis Rodman (5)Charlotte Coliseum
24,042		22–3
26December 21@ PhiladelphiaW 111–105Michael Jordan (31)Dennis Rodman (18)Scottie Pippen (7)CoreStates Center
20,918		23–3
27December 23New JerseyW 113–81Michael Jordan (24)Dennis Rodman (17)Toni Kukoč (5)United Center
23,601		24–3
28December 25DetroitW 95–83Scottie Pippen (27)Dennis Rodman (22)Kukoč & Pippen (8)United Center
23,744		25–3
29December 26@ AtlantaL 103–108Michael Jordan (34)Parish & Rodman (10)Ron Harper (4)Omni Coliseum
16,378		25–4
30December 28ClevelandW 102–97Michael Jordan (45)Dennis Rodman (16)Scottie Pippen (6)United Center
23,792		26–4
31December 30IndianaW 81–79Michael Jordan (28)Dennis Rodman (21)Scottie Pippen (5)United Center
23,692		27–4
January: 13–1 (home: 7–0; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
32January 3OrlandoW 110–89Michael Jordan (22)Dennis Rodman (22)Ron Harper (7)United Center
23,904		28–4
33January 6UtahW 102–89Scottie Pippen (24)Dennis Rodman (16)Toni Kukoč (6)United Center
23,904		29–4
34January 10@ MilwaukeeW 116–101Michael Jordan (33)Dennis Rodman (26)3 players tied (5)Bradley Center
18,717		30–4
35January 11HoustonW 110–86Michael Jordan (32)Dennis Rodman (18)Jordan & Pippen (7)United Center
24,196		31–4
36January 14WashingtonW 108–107Michael Jordan (39)Dennis Rodman (18)Scottie Pippen (8)United Center
23,891		32–4
37January 15@ MinnesotaW 112–102Scottie Pippen (29)Dennis Rodman (15)Toni Kukoč (7)Target Center
20,113		33–4
38January 17MilwaukeeW 100–73Jordan & Kukoč (24)Luc Longley (8)Michael Jordan (11)United Center
23,898		34–4
39January 19@ HoustonL 86–102Michael Jordan (26)Michael Jordan (14)Scottie Pippen (7)The Summit
16,285		34–5
40January 21New YorkW 88–87Michael Jordan (51)Scottie Pippen (10)Scottie Pippen (9)United Center
23,902		35–5
41January 23@ ClevelandW 87–71Michael Jordan (32)Scottie Pippen (12)Scottie Pippen (8)Gund Arena
20,562		36–5
42January 25TorontoW 110–98Michael Jordan (24)Jason Caffey (6)Toni Kukoč (13)United Center
23,913		37–5
43January 28@ VancouverW 111–96Michael Jordan (28)Scottie Pippen (10)Toni Kukoč (11)General Motors Place
19,193		38–5
44January 30@ SacramentoW 111–93Michael Jordan (32)Luc Longley (11)Kukoč & Pippen (6)ARCO Arena
17,317		39–5
45January 31@ Golden StateW 115–92Scottie Pippen (32)Scottie Pippen (10)Michael Jordan (8)San Jose Arena
18,748		40–5
February: 10–2 (home: 6–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
46February 2@ SeattleW 91–84Michael Jordan (45)Michael Jordan (7)Toni Kukoč (9)KeyArena
17,072		41–5
47February 4@ PortlandW 88–84Michael Jordan (36)Scottie Pippen (8)Toni Kukoč (5)Rose Garden
21,538		42–5
48February 5@ L.A. LakersL 90–106Michael Jordan (27)Toni Kukoč (6)Scottie Pippen (9)Great Western Forum
17,505		42–6
All-Star Break
49February 11CharlotteW 103–100Michael Jordan (43)Dennis Rodman (14)Scottie Pippen (7)United Center
23,884		43–6
50February 14@ AtlantaW 89–88Michael Jordan (30)Dennis Rodman (12)Jordan & Pippen (4)Omni Coliseum
16,378		44–6
51February 16OrlandoW 110–89Scottie Pippen (22)Dennis Rodman (13)Scottie Pippen (11)United Center
23,919		45–6
52February 18DenverW 134–123Scottie Pippen (47)Dennis Rodman (13)Michael Jordan (12)United Center
23,874		46–6
53February 21@ WashingtonW 103–99Michael Jordan (36)Dennis Rodman (12)Scottie Pippen (7)US Airways Arena
18,756		47–6
54February 22Golden StateW 120–87Michael Jordan (34)Dennis Rodman (12)Harper & Kerr (7)United Center
23,917		48–6
55February 24PortlandW 116–89Michael Jordan (37)Dennis Rodman (15)Scottie Pippen (11)United Center
23,841		49–6
56February 27@ ClevelandL 70–73Michael Jordan (23)Dennis Rodman (16)Michael Jordan (4)Gund Arena
20,562		49–7
57February 28SacramentoW 126–108Michael Jordan (35)Dennis Rodman (11)Harper & Jordan (6)United Center
23,836		50–7
March: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
58March 3MilwaukeeW 108–90Michael Jordan (31)Dennis Rodman (11)Dennis Rodman (7)United Center
23,894		51–7
59March 5San AntonioW 111–69Scottie Pippen (19)Caffey & Longley (10)Randy Brown (8)United Center
23,841		52–7
60March 7IndianaW 104–96Michael Jordan (38)Dennis Rodman (18)Scottie Pippen (9)United Center
23,902		53–7
61March 9@ New YorkL 93–97Michael Jordan (36)Dennis Rodman (19)Jordan & Pippen (4)Madison Square Garden
19,763		53–8
62March 11@ BostonW 117–106Michael Jordan (32)Dennis Rodman (16)Michael Jordan (9)FleetCenter
18,624		54–8
63March 12@ PhiladelphiaW 108–104Scottie Pippen (31)Dennis Rodman (17)Scottie Pippen (8)CoreStates Center
21,061		55–8
64March 14@ New JerseyL 98–99Michael Jordan (36)Dennis Rodman (17)Scottie Pippen (9)Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		55–9
65March 15AtlantaW 99–79Scottie Pippen (17)Dennis Rodman (14)Longley & Pippen (7)United Center
23,984		56–9
66March 18SeattleW 89–87 (OT)Michael Jordan (32)Michael Jordan (18)Scottie Pippen (7)United Center
23,989		57–9
67March 21@ IndianaW 117–98Michael Jordan (36)Dennis Rodman (19)Scottie Pippen (8)Market Square Arena
16,759		58–9
68March 22DetroitW 103–88Scottie Pippen (26)Dennis Rodman (18)Michael Jordan (7)United Center
23,896		59–9
69March 25DallasW 94–92Jordan & Kerr (20)Dennis Rodman (21)Scottie Pippen (6)United Center
23,854		60–9
70March 27@ TorontoW 96–83Longley & Pippen (16)Michael Jordan (10)Scottie Pippen (7)SkyDome
34,104		61–9
71March 29New JerseyW 111–101Scottie Pippen (31)Scottie Pippen (8)Michael Jordan (10)United Center
23,916		62–9
April: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
72April 1BostonW 111–106Michael Jordan (21)Jason Caffey (9)Scottie Pippen (7)United Center
23,906		63–9
73April 3@ WashingtonL 102–110Michael Jordan (34)Caffey & Kukoč (8)Michael Jordan (6)US Airways Arena
18,756		63–10
74April 4ClevelandW 84–71Michael Jordan (22)Scottie Pippen (7)Luc Longley (6)United Center
23,955		64–10
75April 6@ OrlandoW 110–94Michael Jordan (37)Caffey & Jordan (8)Michael Jordan (5)Orlando Arena
17,248		65–10
76April 7PhiladelphiaW 128–102Michael Jordan (30)Luc Longley (11)Ron Harper (7)United Center
23,618		66–10
77April 9@ IndianaW 86–80Michael Jordan (23)Jason Caffey (16)Scottie Pippen (3)Market Square Arena
16,760		67–10
78April 10@ New YorkW 105–103Michael Jordan (34)Caffey & Jordan (8)Michael Jordan (6)Madison Square Garden
19,763		68–10
79April 13@ DetroitL 91–108Scottie Pippen (21)Jason Caffey (10)Michael Jordan (7)The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		68–11
80April 14TorontoW 117–100Michael Jordan (30)Michael Jordan (11)Michael Jordan (10)United Center
23,896		69–11
81April 16@ MiamiL 92–102Scottie Pippen (28)Michael Jordan (8)Luc Longley (5)Miami Arena
15,200		69–12
82April 19New YorkL 101–103Michael 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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 25WashingtonW 98–86Michael Jordan (29)Scottie Pippen (10)Michael Jordan (8)United Center
24,122		1–0
2April 27WashingtonW 109–104Michael Jordan (55)Scottie Pippen (9)Luc Longley (6)United Center
24,267		2–0
3April 30@ WashingtonW 96–95Michael 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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 6AtlantaW 100–97Michael Jordan (34)Michael Jordan (11)Michael Jordan (6)United Center
24,397		1–0
2May 8AtlantaL 95–103Michael Jordan (27)Michael Jordan (16)Scottie Pippen (9)United Center
24,544		1–1
3May 10@ AtlantaW 100–80Michael Jordan (21)Jason Caffey (11)Kukoč & Pippen (5)Omni Coliseum
16,378		2–1
4May 11@ AtlantaW 89–80Michael Jordan (27)Jordan & Pippen (8)3 players tied (4)Omni Coliseum
16,378		3–1
5May 13AtlantaW 107–92Michael Jordan (24)Dele & Longley (10)Jordan & Pippen (7)United Center
24,544		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 20MiamiW 84–77Michael Jordan (37)Dennis Rodman (19)Harper & Pippen (4)United Center
24,544		1–0
2May 22MiamiW 75–68Jordan & Pippen (23)Dennis Rodman (10)Ron Harper (6)United Center
24,544		2–0
3May 24@ MiamiW 98–74Michael Jordan (34)Dennis Rodman (9)Toni Kukoč (6)Miami Arena
14,720		3–0
4May 26@ MiamiL 80–87Michael Jordan (29)Dennis Rodman (11)Scottie Pippen (5)Miami Arena
14,720		3–1
5May 28MiamiW 100–87Michael Jordan (28)Dennis Rodman (13)Toni Kukoč (7)United Center
24,544		4–1
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1June 1UtahW 84–82Michael Jordan (31)Dennis Rodman (12)Michael Jordan (8)United Center
24,544		1–0
2June 4UtahW 97–85Michael Jordan (38)Michael Jordan (13)Michael Jordan (9)United Center
24,544		2–0
3June 6@ UtahL 93–104Scottie Pippen (27)Ron Harper (7)Michael Jordan (6)Delta Center
19,911		2–1
4June 8@ UtahL 73–78Michael Jordan (22)Scottie Pippen (12)3 players tied (4)Delta Center
19,911		2–2
5June 11@ UtahW 90–88Michael Jordan (38)Scottie Pippen (10)Jordan & Pippen (5)Delta Center
19,911		3–2
6June 13UtahW 90–86Michael Jordan (39)Jordan & Rodman (11)Michael Jordan (4)United Center
24,544		4–2
1997 schedule

Player stats

Legend
  GPGames 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

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Randy Brown72314.7.420.182.6791.51.81.12.244.7
Jud Buechler7609.2.367.333.3571.7.8.30.281.8
Jason Caffey751918.7.532.000.6594.01.2.33.127.3
Bison Dele9015.3.413.000.7333.71.3.33.567.0
Ron Harper767422.9.436.362.7072.52.51.13.506.3
Michael Jordan828237.9.486.374.8335.94.31.71.5429.6
Steve Kerr82022.7.533.464.8061.62.1.82.048.1
Toni Kukoč571528.2.471.331.7704.64.51.05.5113.2
Luc Longley595924.9.456.000.7925.62.4.391.129.1
Robert Parish4339.4.490.000.6772.1.5.14.443.7
Scottie Pippen828237.7.474.368.7016.55.71.88.5520.2
Dennis Rodman555435.4.448.263.56816.13.1.58.355.7
Dickey Simpkins4808.2.333.250.7001.9.6.10.101.9
Matt Steigenga206.0.250.000.5001.51.0.50.501.5
Bill Wennington611912.8.498.000.8302.1.7.16.184.6

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Randy Brown175.8.300.000.600.6.4.47.121.2
Jud Buechler187.7.419.333.6001.3.3.17.061.8
Jason Caffey1759.8.455.000.7862.5.9.18.182.4
Bison Dele1917.7.481.000.5163.7.61.00.426.1
Ron Harper191927.1.400.344.7504.33.01.26.747.5
Michael Jordan191942.3.456.194.8317.94.81.58.8931.1
Steve Kerr1917.9.429.381.929.91.1.89.115.0
Toni Kukoč1922.3.360.358.7072.82.8.68.217.9
Luc Longley191922.7.548.000.3854.41.8.37.846.5
Robert Parish29.0.143.000.0002.0.0.001.501.0
Scottie Pippen191939.6.417.345.7916.83.81.47.9519.2
Dennis Rodman191428.2.370.250.5778.41.4.53.214.2

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

Team1234Total
Utah1824221882
Chicago1721242284

Game 2

Wednesday, June 4, at the United Center

Team1234Total
Utah2011282685
Chicago2522311997

Game 3

Friday, June 6, at the Delta Center

Team1234Total
Chicago2223153393
Utah31301627104

Game 4

Sunday, June 8, at the Delta Center

Team1234Total
Chicago1624161773
Utah2114212278

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.[77][78][79][80][81]

Team1234Total
Chicago1633182390
Utah2924191688

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.[64]

Team1234Total
Utah2321261686
Chicago1720272690

Awards and honors

NBA All-Star Game

References

External links

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