jim jividen

1996 NBA Finals Simulation

Thursday, June 4, 2026

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)

2026 NBA Finals Prediction

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Spurs? I think the Spurs. Nope..I think the Knicks. The Knicks.

The Spurs are better, but younger and they've been pushed hard in the playoffs. The Knicks have been dominant in the postseason, but not against the level of competition the Spurs have faced. The best team in basketball this season was the Thunder, the next two were Spurs and Knicks.

I think I'm for the Knicks? Maybe? They haven't won in half a century, the Spurs are likely to stand in front of my Warriors in the West for the next decade....but...look, Wemby is an appealing protagonist, and in the end, that's why I'm...

I'm picking the Knicks, too many veterans without rings to pick against, experience plus hunger is a formula I'm not turning down. The next time Wemby is here, I'll pick him. For this year - Knicks in 6.

Simulated 1995 NBA Finals

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

1994

Actual Result: Back to back titles for Hakeem and the Rockets, they go over Shaq and the Magic in the Finals.

MVP: David Robinson

East Semis: Pacers d. Knicks (4-3)

Magic d. Bulls (4-2)

West Semis: Rockets d. Suns (4-3)

Spurs d Lakers (4-2)

Simulation: There is a back to back possibility, but it's not the Rockets, its the Pacers, they head back to the conference finals, this time to face the Orlando Magic; Orlando was an expansion team in 1990, just 6 years later they find themselves one step from the NBA Finals. The Rockets lost in last year's Finals and they are back; from '79-'83 the Spurs lost 3 conference finals and a dozen years later they are still looking for their first NBA Finals appearance.

East Finals Orlando Magic (57-25) v. Indiana Pacers (52-30)

West Finals San Antonio Spurs (62-20) v. Houston Rockets (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Orl) Pacers 106 Magic 86

The Pacers are 3 games from a return to the NBA Finals. 24 for last year's NBA Finals MVP, 23 and 11 for Shaq in the loss.

East Finals Game 2 (Orl) Pacers 119 Magic 97

Indiana takes both games 1-2 on the road. Reggie Miller scores 32. Rik Smits adds 27. Derrick McKey, Dale Davis, Antonio Davis all double/double. Shaq is 27 and 14. Penny Hardaway scores 21.

East Finals Game 3 (Ind) Pacers 96 Magic 81

The Pacers are rolling right back to another Eastern conference title; 22 for Reggie Miller, double/double for Antonio Davis. Shaq scores 21 in the loss, Nick Anderson double/double.

East Finals Game 4 (Ind) Pacers 108 Magic 99

It's a sweep, the Indiana Pacers head back to the NBA Finals, looking to defend their title. Derrick McKey won back to back titles with two different teams and he scored 26 to lead the way. 24 and 11 for Rik Smits. Reggie Miller scored 21 and is the series MVP. Dale Davis double/double. Penny scores 25 in the loss. Double/double for Horace Grant.

West Finals Game 1 (SA) Spurs 110 Rockets 96

San Antonio is 3 wins from their first ever NBA Finals appearance. The Admiral scores 31 in the big head to head matchup with Olajuwon. 22 for Sean Elliott, a 20 rebound, 12 point performance for Dennis Rodman. Avery Johnson double/double. 22 and 12 for Olajuwon. 21 for Clyde Drexler; this Rocket team lost the NBA Finals last year - Clyde lost in back to back seasons early in the decade.

West Finals Game 2 (SA) Rockets 112 Spurs 108 (OT)

Game 2 in the All Texas West Finals goes to the Rockets; Clyde scores 38 with 10 boards. 28 and 15 for Olajuwon. David Robinson goes 28 and 11 in the loss. Rodman double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Hou) Rockets 104 Spurs 87

Houston is 2 wins from a Finals rematch with the Pacers. Hakeem Olajuwon dominates, 42 pts and 12 rebounds. The Admiral goes 22 and 15 in the loss.

West Finals Game 4 (Hou) Spurs 100 Rockets 87

San Antonio squares the series at 2. An all time great Dennis Rodman performance with 31 rebounds. 28 pts for Sean Elliott. David Robinson double/double. Robert Horry with 25 for the Rockets. Double/double for Olajuwon.

West Finals Game 5 (SA) Spurs 105 Rockets 93

The Spurs win game 5 and go up 3 games to 2. 30 pts and 18 rebounds for David Robinson. Avery Johnson double/double. 22 and 16 for Olajuwon in the loss.

West Finals Game 6 (Hou) Rockets 109 Spurs 99

The East was a 4 game sweep by the Pacers, the West goes all 7 games. 26 pts, 14 rebounds for Hakeem Olajuwon. 21 and 11 for Clyde Drexler, Sam Cassell double/double. 23 and 17 for Robinson in the loss. Rodman and Avery Johnson double/double.

Lets do it - back to San Antonio for Game 7

West Finals Game 7 (SA) Rockets 99 Spurs 90

The Rockets go on the road and beat the Spurs, winning the West again and they get their rematch, heading to the NBA Finals to face the champion Pacers. 27 points and 13 rebounds for the series MVP Hakeem Olajuwon. 20 and 14 for Clyde. Robert Horry double/double. The Admiral went 26 and 12, 24 rebounds for Rodman, Avery Johnson double/double.

NBA FINALS: INDIANA PACERS v. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Same Matchup in Back to Back Seasons:

1957-1958: Celtics v. Hawks

1960-1961: Celtics v. Hawks

1969-1970: Lakers v. Knicks

1972-1973: Lakers v. Celtics

1987-1988: Celtics v. Lakers

For the 6th time in NBA history, we run the prior year's NBA Finals back

PACERS

HC-Larry Brown

C-Rik Smits (28)

PF-Dale Davis (25)

SF-Derrick McKey (28) 2nd Team All Defense

PG-Mark Jackson (29)

SG-Reggie Miller (28) 3rd Team All NBA

F-Antonio Davis (26)

F-Sam Mitchell (31)

PG-Haywoode Workman (29)

G-Byron Scott (33)

The defending champion Pacers bring back last year's team with the addition of a new point guard, 29 year old Mark Jackson.

ROCKETS

HC-Rudy Tomjanovich

C-Hakeem Olajuwon (32) 5th MVP

PF-Robert Horry (24)

SF-Mario Elie (31)

PG-Kenny Smith (29)

SG Clyde Drexler (32) 3rd Team All NBA

F-Charles Jones (37)

F-Chuckie Brown (26)

G-Sam Cassell (25)

The headline is a huge Valentine's Day trade that brought 32 year old Clyde Drexler to play with his college teammate Olajuwon. Both men 0-2 in the NBA Finals now joining together to make this run. Mario Elie is the only other remaining member of the '86 team that lost the Finals and he moved into the starting lineup in the conference Finals, the Rockets going small.

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Ind) Rockets 100 Pacers 91

The Rockets take game 1 on the road. The Pacers have no answer for Hakeem, 32 and 12. 20 and 12 for Drexler, 20 points for Kenny Smith. Reggie Miller scores 18 for Indiana.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Ind) Rockets 95 Pacers 94

Reggie Miller hits a game tying 3 with 8 seconds left, Olajuwon is fouled at the buzzer...he misses the first FT...but sinks the second and the Rockets take both on the road. 29 and 10 for Hakeem. 20 for both Drexler and Robert Horry. Miller had 17, Rik Smits double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Hou) Rockets 104 Pacers 86

The Houston Rockets go up 3-0 and are a game from their first NBA Title. 21 each for Horry and Olajuwon, Drexler double/double. 23 for Reggie Miller in the loss. Double/double for Rik Smits and Dale Davis.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Hou) Rockets 122 Pacers 88

The 6th sweep in NBA Finals history. 35 points, 12 rebounds for Finals MVP Hakeem Olajuwon. Clyde Drexler scored 22. 15 for Mark Jackson, he's the high man for the Pacers. Double/double for Smits and Dale Davis