CHICAGO BULLS vs SEATTLE SONICS
As sure the Bulls name is now stamped on their fourth NBA championship trophy in the last six years, the debate over this Chicago team's place in history will rage for months to come. After a record-setting 72-10 regular season and 4-2 run past Seattle in the Finals, the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of 95-96 earned one thing for sure: their rightfull place among - at the very least - the all-time elite teams in NBA history.
There's no arguing who was the best team in 95-96. With Jordan rededicating himself to basketball during the last offseason, Scottie Pippen maturing into perhaps the best all-around player, and rebounding machine Dennis Rodman successfully blending into the mix, the Bulls were practically untouchable from start to finish.
Only when Chicago's victory celebrations had to be put on hold after jumping to a 3-0 edge and then losing back-to-back games in Seattle - just the second time all season the Bulls sufered consecutive defeats - did Michael and the Jordanaires look out of tune.
But not for very long. Back in Chicago for Game 6, the Bulls attained the most logical conclusion to their magical season in front of 24,544 fans at the United Center. Jordan, in becoming the first four-time Finals MVP honoree, turned in a very human(albeit team-high)22 points, Pippen added 17 and Rodman Supplied 19 rebounds(11 offensive) to go with nine points and five assists as the Bulls finished off the Sonics, 87-75.
Last Update March 8, 1998 by Rafael (Rafa) Rivera
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