Sometimes You Forget: The '96 Bulls

With the reality of Boston firmly not going to break the record for wins in a season, 'Sometimes You Forget' today focuses on the team that does hold the record, the 1995-1996 Bulls who finished 72-10. Of course we know MJ was leading this crusade of basketball being played at its highest level. Jordan led the league with 30.4 ppg on his way to 8th scoring title and the MVP. Jordan also won the All-Star game MVP and the Finals MVP, his 4th which was a record. MJ was not the whole show, however, as Chicago added Dennis Rodman in a trade for Will Perdue. Rodman won his 5th rebounding title and together with Jordan meant that the Bulls had arguably the game's all-time scorer and rebounder on the same team. As always Scottie Pippen was there as Kato to Jordan's Green Hornet, Luc Longley was in the middle and Ron Harper was alongside Jordan. Off the bench were Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr, and Bill Weddington and his goatee who were fantastic as role players. The Bulls won in 6 over the Sonics(sorry Seattle to bring up a sore subject) after they jumped up 3-0 but the Sonics team which set a franchise record for wins with 64 put up a good fight but there was no beating the Bulls. I still remember getting my Sports Illustrated before the finals and seeing Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton's picture on the front with the words "Mission: Impossible" in reference to stopping number 23. Shawn Kemp was also on that team, before he turned into the Hindenburg, along with Sam Perkins, Detlef Schrempf, Hersey Hawkins and a hobbled Nate McMillan. The video of the Bulls introduction of that historic line-up. The music and the crecsendo that rises when Jordan is announced still gives me chills.