A report on Dennis Rodman and 1996 NBA Finals

The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. Rodman wrote history in the 1996 NBA Finals when he twice secured 11 offensive rebounds in this building, tying an all-time NBA record.

In 2005, Rodman played for Torpan Pojat of Finland's basketball league, the Korisliiga.

Rodman with Donald Trump for Celebrity Apprentice

But perhaps their biggest addition to the team was Dennis Rodman, a nine-year veteran who had been a rebounding champion for four straight years, and whose controversial lifestyle has been well-documented.

- 1996 NBA Finals

In the 1996 playoffs, Rodman scored 7.5 points and grabbed 13.7 rebounds per game and had a large part in the six-game victory against the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals: in Game Two at home in the Bulls' United Center, he grabbed 20 rebounds, among them a record-tying 11 offensive boards, and in Game Six, again at the United Center, the power forward secured 19 rebounds and again 11 offensive boards, scored five points in a decisive 12–2 Bulls run, unnerved opposing power forward Shawn Kemp and caused Seattle coach George Karl to say: "As you evaluate the series, Dennis Rodman won two basketball games. We controlled Dennis Rodman for four games. But Game 2 and tonight, he was the reason they were successful."

- Dennis Rodman

5 related topics with Alpha

Michael Jordan

3 links

American businessman and former professional basketball player.

Jordan in training with the Scottsdale Scorpions in 1994

Plaque at the United Center that chronicles Jordan's career achievements

Jordan as a member of the Washington Wizards, April 14, 2003

James Worthy, Jordan, and Dean Smith in 2007 at a North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball game honoring the 1957 and 1982 men's basketball teams

Jordan receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House

Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the 1993–94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball but returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the 1995–96 NBA season.

The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialist Dennis Rodman, and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.

Chicago Bulls

3 links

American professional basketball team based in Chicago.

Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Bulls in 1984. He won six championships and six Finals MVPs for Chicago.

Michael Jordan v Los Angeles Lakers at the 1991 NBA Finals

Bulls head coach Phil Jackson consulting Michael Jordan in 1997

Luol Deng made his first All-Star appearance with the team in 2012 and his second in 2013.

Joakim Noah was drafted by the Bulls in 2007. He was named an All Star for the first time in 2013 and for the second time in 2014.

Derrick Rose was drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008. He was the 2010–11 NBA MVP.

Tom Thibodeau coached the Bulls to 62 wins in his first season.

Fred Hoiberg was the 22nd head coach in the franchise's history.

In the off-season, the Bulls lost Armstrong in the expansion draft, and Krause traded Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs for rebounding specialist Dennis Rodman, who had won the past four rebounding titles, and who had also been a member of the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" squad that served as the Bulls' chief nemesis in the late 1980s.

The team triumphed over the Miami Heat in the first round, the New York Knicks in the second round, the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals and finally Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and the Seattle SuperSonics for their fourth title.

1995–96 NBA season

2 links

The 50th season of the National Basketball Association , though the 50th anniversary was not celebrated until the following season.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals to win their fourth championship.

F – Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls

Scottie Pippen

2 links

American former professional basketball player.

Pippen as a member of the Chicago Bulls in 1995

Chicago Bulls Championship banners hang in the rafters of the United Center.

Pippen's retired #33 jersey (far right) hanging in the rafters of the United Center

Pippen and then-wife Larsa in December 2006

With the return of Michael Jordan and the addition of multiple NBA rebound leader Dennis Rodman, the Bulls posted the best regular-season record in NBA history at the time (72–10) in en route to winning their fourth title against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Karl coaching the Denver Nuggets in 2011

George Karl

0 links

American former professional basketball coach and player.

While he never won an NBA championship, Karl made the postseason 22 times with five different teams, which included a trip to the 1996 NBA Finals with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Seattle was out-matched by Michael Jordan's scoring, Dennis Rodman's rebounding and the Bulls' team defense, and quickly found themselves in a 0–3 deficit and facing a sweep.