1996 NBA Finals Simulation

 1995

 Actual Result: His baseball sojourn done, Michael Jordan returns for a full season and wins his 4th NBA Title, the Bulls go 72-10 and beat the Sonics in the Finals.

 MVP: Michael Jordan

 West Semis: Sonics d. Rockets (4-0)

                      Jazz d. Spurs (4-2)

 East Semis: Bulls d. Knicks (4-1)

                     Magic d. Hawks (4-1)

 Simulation: The defending champs are gone, the Rockets swept by the '93 NBA Champs, the Sonics. They'll take on a Utah team still looking for their first NBA Finals appearance. The Pacers won the last 2 East Champs, they're gone, out in the first round, but Orlando is back, they lost in last season's East Finals, and they will take on the NBA Champs from 1990 and '91, Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

West Finals: Seattle SuperSonics (64-18) v. Utah Jazz (55-27)

East Finals: Chicago Bulls (72-10) v. Orlando Magic (60-22)

West Finals Game 1 (Sea) Sonics 93 Jazz 81

The Sonics won 64 games this year, three more and they head back to the NBA Finals.  21 pts, 12 rebounds for Shawn Kemp, 21 for Gary Payton, Antoine Carr led for the Jazz with 19 off the bench. John Stockton double/double.

West Finals Game 2 (Sea) Sonics 109 Jazz 96

The Sonics take both games 1 and 2 at home. Gary Payton scores 32 in the win. 21 for Shawn Kemp. 25 and 13 for Karl Malone in the loss. Antoine Carr scores 21.  

West Finals Game 3 (Utah) Sonics 96 Jazz 87

3 years after beating the Bulls in the '93 Finals the Sonics are a game from returning. 18 for Gary Payton and Hersey Hawkins.The Mailman goes 26 and 14 for Utah. Stockton and Carr double/double.

West Finals Game 4 (Utah) Sonics 109 Jazz 107

Ervin Johnson with the turnaround at the buzzer gives the Sonics the series sweep and the Western conference title.  Gary Payton scores 34, he's the series MVP. 21 and 11 for Shawn Kemp, 21 for Detlef Schrempf.  Karl Malone goes 35 and 17 in the defeat.  Stockton double/double.

East Finals Game 1 (Chi) Magic 85 Bulls 81

The Magic got swept last year in the conference finals - but they take game 1 on the road. Shaq goes 28 and 13. 21 and 10 for Jordan in the loss, its his first conference finals game in 3 years. Pippen scored 20

East Finals Game 2 (Chi) Bulls 92 Magic 90

Magic up 5, 90 seconds left, looking to take both games 1 and 2 on the road, Jordan dunk - Orlando misses on the other end, Jordan comes back with a fadeaway from 18 to cut it to 1 with under a minute to play.  Hack a Shaq - and he misses both, Bulls miss, rebound, miss, rebound - Jordan 30 footer at the buzzer - drains it - the Bulls tie the series. Jordan scores 34. 23 rebounds and 11 points for Dennis Rodman, 21 for Pippen. Shaq goes 30 and 22 in the loss. 21 and 10 for Nick Anderson.  

East Finals Game 3 (Orl) Bulls 104 Magic 98

The Bulls go up 2 games to 1.  31 points, 11 rebounds for Jordan. 22 for Pippen, 21 rebounds for Rodman.  25 and 15 for Shaq in the loss, 23 and 10 assists for Penny. Dennis Scott scores 20.

East Finals Game 4 (Orl) Bulls 101 Magic 78

Chicago's taken control, moving 1 win away from a rematch of their '93 Finals loss to Seattle. Jordan scores 30, 29 for Penny in the loss

East Finals Game 5 (Chi) Bulls 104 Magic 89

The Chicago Bulls return to the NBA Finals for the first time in 3 years.  Michael Jordan scores 31 and again is conference finals MVP, 23 for Pippen, 21 rebounds for Rodman. Shaq goes 33 and 16 for the Magic. 

NBA FINALS: CHICAGO BULLS v. SEATTLE SUPER SONICS

The Bulls broke the regular season record with 72 wins and are looking for their first NBA Title in 5 years. After a nearly 2 season sabbatical, 32 year old Michael Jordan won the regular season MVP. His backcourt mate is 32 year old Ron Harper, 30 year old Steve Kerr won the NBA Title with the 92 Cavs, now, he's here as the third guard. 5th in the MVP race was 30 year old Scottie Pippen, and another former NBA Champion, 34 year old Dennis Rodman is the other forward. 27 year old Luc Longley is in the middle; the 6th Man of the Year is 27 year old Toni Kukoc

3 years ago the Sonics beat the Bulls to win the NBA Title, they're back and led by the Defensive Player of the Year, the MVP of the Western Finals, 27 year old Gary Payton. 29 year old Hersey Hawkins is the off guard. 31 year old Nate McMillan and 29 year old Vincent Askew are part of the guard rotation. The Rainman, 26 year old Shawn Kemp, was Finals MVP in '93, he was second team All NBA this year. 33 year old Detlef Schrempf and 28 year old Ervin Johnson round out the starting lineup.  Jordan's old college teammate, 34 year old Sam Perkins, comes off the bench.

BULLS

HC-Phil Jackson

C Luc Longley (27)

PF Dennis Rodman (34) 1st Team All Defense

SF Scottie Pippen (30) 5th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PG Ron Harper (32)

SG Michael Jordan (32) MVP

F Toni Kukoc (27) 6th Man of the Year

G Steve Kerr (30)

SONICS

HC-George Karl

C Ervin Johnson (28)

PF Shawn Kemp (26) Second Team All NBA

SF Detlef Schrempf (33)

PG Gary Payton (27) Defensive Player of the Year, 2nd Team All NBA

SG Hersey Hawkins (29)

F Sam Perkins (34)

PG Nate McMillan (31)

G Vincent Askew (29)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Chi) Bulls 108 Sonics 77

The Bulls just overwhelm Seattle in game 1.  Scottie Pippen leads the way, 27 points, 13 boards.  25 for Michael Jordan. 16 and 12 for Shawn Kemp in the loss.  

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Chi) Bulls 110 Sonics 96

Chicago takes both games at home. 25 for MJ, 25 rebounds for Rodman, double/double for Luc Longley. Hersey Hawkins 21 led for the Sonics. Kemp double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Sea) Sonics 117 Bulls 109

The Sonics take the first game at home.  Detlef Schrempf is the winners high man at 25.  Huge Shawn Kemp game 21 and 20. 20 pts with 13 assists for Gary Payton. Sam Perkins scores 23 pts in 23 minutes.  Michael Jordan scores 42 with 11 boards.  21 for Pippen

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Sea) Bulls 109 Sonics 89

Chicago moves 1 game away from their 3rd NBA Championship.  Michael Jordan scores 30, 21 and 11 for Pippen, Rodman double/double. 23 and 12 for Kemp in the loss. Detlef scores 21. 

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Sea) Bulls 100 Sonics 92

And it ends, 3rd NBA Championship of the 90s for the Chicago Bulls. 32 points and 10 rebounds for Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan joins Elgin Baylor with his third NBA Finals MVP, behind only Wilt and Bird, he scores 32.  27 pts, 21 rebounds for Kemp.  Detlef scores 21.  

NBA Finals History

1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)

1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)

1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)

1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)

1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)

1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)

1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)Back 

1954: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2) - MVP: George Mikan (C, 29)

1955: Minneapolis Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) - MVP: Clyde Lovellette (C, 25)

1956: Philadelphia Warriors d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP: Neil Johnston (C, 26)

1957: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (C, 24)

1958: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-1) - MVP Bob Cousy (PG, 29)

1959: Syracuse Nationals d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-1) - MVP Dolph Schayes (PF, 30) 

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks) - Playoff Player of the Decade

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

1960: St Louis Hawks d. Boston Celtics (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (PF, 27)

1961: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP Bill Russell (C, 26)

1962: Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 27)

1963: Cincinnati Royals d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Oscar Robertson (PG, 24)

1964: San Francisco Warriors d. Cincinnati Royals (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 27)

1965 Philadelphia 76ers d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 28)

1966 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 31)

1967 Philadelphia 76ers d. San Francisco Warriors (4-2) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 30)

1968 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 33)

1969 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-1) MVP Jerry West (SG, 30)

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors/Sixers/Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

1970 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 33)

1971 Milwaukee Bucks d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 23)

1972 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Jerry West (PG, 33)

1973 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-1) MVP Jim McMillan (SF 24)

1974 Boston Celtics d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP John Havlicek (SF 33)

1975 Washington Bullets d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP Elvin Hayes (PF, 29)

1976 Phoenix Suns d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Paul Westphal (PG, 25)

1977 Philadelphia 76ers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) MVP Julius Erving (SF, 26)

1978 Philadelphia 76ers d. Denver Nuggets (4-2) MVP Doug Collins (SG, 26) 

1979 Seattle SuperSonics d. Washington Bullets (4-3) MVP Dennis Johnson (SG, 24)

1970s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

F Julius Erving (Sixers)

G Jerry West (Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade

G Jo Jo White (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Dave Cowens (Celtics)

F Elvin Hayes (Bullets)

F Bob Dandridge (Bullets)

G Doug Collins (Sixers)

G Walt Frazier (Knicks)

1980 Boston Celtics d. Seattle SuperSonics (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 23)

1981 Boston Celtics d. Kansas City Kings (4-0) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 24)

1982 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 25)

1983 Philadelphia 76ers d.LA Lakers(4-3) MVP Moses Malone C 27/Julius Erving(SF 32)

1984 Los Angeles Lakers d. Milwaukee Bucks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 36)

1985 Los Angeles Lakers d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2) MVP Magic Johnson (PG, 25)

1986 Boston Celtics d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 29)

1987 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Kevin McHale (PF, 29)

1988 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 31)

1989 Detroit Pistons d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) MVP Isiah Thomas (PG, 27)

1980s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lakers)

PF Kevin McHale (Celtics)

SF Larry Bird (Celtics)- Playoff Player of the Decade

PG Magic Johnson (Lakers)

SG Sidney Moncrief (Bucks)

2nd Team

C Robert Parish (Celtics)

PF Marques Johnson (Bucks)

SF Julius Erving (Sixers)

PG Dennis Johnson (Celtics)

SG Byron Scott (Lakers)

1990 Chicago Bulls d. Phoenix Suns (4-3) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 26)

1991 Chicago Bulls d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 27)

1992 Cleveland Cavaliers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2) MVP Mark Price (PG, 27)

1993 Seattle Super Sonics d. Chicago Bulls (4-2) MVP Shawn Kemp (PF, 23)

1994 Indiana Pacers d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Reggie Miller (SG, 28)

1995 Houston Rockets d. Indiana Pacers (4-0) MVP Hakeem Olajuwon (C, 32)

1996 Chicago Bulls d. Seattle Super Sonics (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 32)