Chicago Bulls - Orlando Magic | 1996 Playoffs | ECF Game 4: Jordan seals the sweep

His partners in the ratings game desperately wanted to salvage some pride on their home floor, but Michael Jordan was even more determined to have at least three days off. He was willing to work every angle, possible and impossible, to secure them.
The baseline.
The wing.
Straight on from 15 feet.
Off one foot or off the glass, he kept hitting net and he kept fading away -- farther and farther -- until Anfernee Hardaway, Shaquille O'Neal and their once-potent basketball team resembled minuscule blips from high atop the ridge.
The Chicago Bulls were much closer to the pinnacle than the Orlando Magic was today because Jordan reached the climax of a yearlong vindication process by backpacking his team to a 106-101 victory in Game 4 and a sweep of the Eastern Conference finals.
"Judging from the look in Michael's eyes, we could have rode him all day today," forward Scottie Pippen said. "I know I rode him. We all did. What's new?"
With a menacing glare attached to nearly every basket he made, Jordan erupted for 45 points, wagged his tongue, kicked up his left foot ever so slightly and walked out of Orlando Arena with a Cuban cigar tucked snugly in his blazer pocket.
He made 16 of 23 shots and 10 of 14 free throws and performed the same riveting theater on the floor that carried Chicago to its last finals, in 1993, the last time the Bulls were this close to a championship.
They overcame a 56-47 halftime deficit in the final seconds of the third quarter and then let Jordan do most of the sweeping up in the final quarter. He had 10 points in the final 12 minutes, including two demoralizing jumpers that effectively ended the Magic's season. The Bulls, who have lost once since the regular season ended, will not play again until at least Friday. "We might not even practice for two straight days," Jordan said, smiling.
O'Neal and Hardaway each finished with 28 points and played spectacularly at times for Orlando, which knocked off Chicago in six games last season in the conference semifinals. But O'Neal had only 2 points in the fourth quarter and Hardaway was corralled every time he dribbled around the perimeter in the final minutes.
The clincher came with 4 minutes 40 seconds left and Orlando trying to keep its season alive by swarming the basketball. Suddenly a cross-court pass from Pippen materialized in Jordan's hands while he was a few steps from the left baseline. He was as wide open as Madison Square Garden in June.
Jordan, who showed no ill effects after rolling his ankle in the final minutes of Game 3 but was queasy enough from an upset stomach this morning that he needed medication, paused to square his feet. He cruelly let Hardaway get within a few feet and then pulled the trigger. As the ball passed through the net, he kicked his right foot up slightly, dangling it there in front of the Magic bench.
The lead returned to 10 points, at 95-85. Jordan added a heartless 14-footer with 1:38 remaining, putting Chicago ahead, 100-91. The Magic became the first team since Detroit, in 1991, to be swept in the conference finals, and the same player who tutored the kiddie corps from Orlando today sent the Bad Boys home five years ago.
"Jordan is Jordan," O'Neal said. "That's why he's the best player in the world."
Magic Coach Brian Hill said, "We just couldn't overcome what he did today, quite honestly."
The damage in this series actually occurred early on, with Chicago's blowout in Game 1 and its comeback from 18 points down in the third quarter in Game 2.
"It's really sickening because we are a better team than what we displayed," Hardaway said.
To fully recover from this demonstrative sweep might take Orlando 12 months, which would only be fair.
Last May, Jordan was relearning the game. He was mortal. And Grant, the former Bull, was pumping his fist as the Magic knocked off Chicago in Game 6 at the United Center. The new kids on the NBA block had suddenly replaced the old guard.
A few days later, Jordan went back to the gym.
"I think it not only says something about Michael as a player, but also as a person," said Steve Kerr, the Bulls' reserve guard. "He started this quest 12 months ago, working out over the summer with this one singular goal in mind: Getting back to the finals and doing what he could to make his team better than the Magic's. Mission accomplished."
The Bulls will rest Tuesday. "Any time you can take a team out and get some days off, it's nice," Pippen said. "I'm sure that motivated Michael, too."
In the post-season, that is called getting time off for good behavior. Jordan was on his best behavior today. He was in such a good mood, he decided to give Shaq and Penny the whole summer off.

[@Xavier1215]

45 pts...16-22 shooting...man no wondering he's the G.O.A.T.

[@vccstudents]

I was at this game. Shaq storming off the court when it ended and bolting to LA still has fans upset! I told everyone Jordan would take over in the fourth. There comes a time when you must applaud greatness. When the Bulls won it all and Jordan was crying in the Bulls locker room because it was for his father, he earned my respect for good that day and hasn't lost it since!

[@lorenzochi7654]

Lebron would haved lost thiz game .thiz iz what greatness look like .that's why .mj .iz the g.o.a.t. ...not lebroke

[@burningkarma]

I love the old NBA on NBC presentation.

[@jldub23]

Me too.

[@dnice4145]

It was awesome. NBA on NBC use to market all the stars no matter the team.

[@delfra70]

I hear you, i remember watching this game. To shoot 70% from the floor, on the road against a very good Orlando squad is insane man. Games like this are exactly the reasons MJ is so revered and celebrated. He always steeped up in the biggest games in the playoffs when it most mattered, that's why he's the GOAT. It's one thing to play great during the regular season, but to raise the level of your game during the playoffs is something else.

[@kOrOne79]

Anyone who thinks MJ wouldn't be effective in todays NBA is either too young or simply too ignorant. I have no doubt that Jordan would tear this league apart. He was a top 25 player at 40, that's all you need to know.

[@HipHopSince784]

Jordan points at his chest to remind everyone that with the tools and talent you also need the heart to get the job done and close out a series. The heart of an assassin.

[@AHMAD-2324]

Thomas Hopkins Well said Sir!!

[@mandodelossantos2]

that's such bullshit! Without Rodman grabbing nearly double digits in offensive rebounds and Grant going down with injury the Bulls would've lost again

[@Wis_Dom]

+mandodelossantos2 Dumb ass! Grant didn't leave until the end of game one, and the Magic still were getting slaughtered. Also, the Bulls were coming off a bunch of team injuries, but rised above them.

[@jpogigtxcr1778]

mandodelossantos2 Funny. I'd say game 6 for the Bulls, with a healthy Grant.

[@bige4334]

T. Hop facts

[@thacozzman89]

Ahhh!!! The days of when I could really watch a whole game of the NBA...I can't even remember when I actually watched a whole entire game. And I was seven years old at the time...LOL

[@brennancumberbatch1571]

Sooo true

[@kennethstudley1587]

I miss the 90s era of basketball so much todays game. can not be compared to basketball of then

[@sekaidaniels2062]

The things we take for granted sports keeps the average person's mind of the reality of life witch is death but, without it life would seem dull so think you for sports, and music.

[@realisreal7736]

Blah blah blah woof woof woof

[@TheAkashbp]

Amazing killer instinct by Jordan and the Bulls.

[@checkmateforever]

This series was sweet revenge for Jordan. The previous year when Jordan came back out of retirement and from playing baseball the Magic eliminated the Bulls in the playoffs. Magic were supposed to be the new young team to win for years to come...and MJ's return stopped that quickly.

[@YoutubeCommentRater]

I love that you mentioned this RIGHT before I am going to write my blurb about it:) I can see your a big mj fan to know that. This is one of my favorite revenge games in MJ history. This was LONG awaited.

[@aaronwilliams8150]

Which would lead to Shaq joining Los Angeles

[@northw3st78]

Was Horace Grant on both Magic squads during those two series?

[@checkmateforever]

Northwestlove24 yes

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@northw3st78 He got injured after game 1 of this series. The Bulls would have won regardless.

[@jumpnam]

What separated Jordan i think was his knowlege of the game and incredible basketball IQ. In particular during his later years wit the Bulls and his stint in Washington, he knew exactly what kind of shot to take on almost every possession, and he very rarely forced up bad shots. He simply wouldnt let any defence contain him for more than a quarter or maybe a half, if that. He would ALWAYS find a way to score or have an impact on the game. Plus his mid-range game was almost un-paralleled.

[@lumipifeslb]

no words needed. just watch the greatness of jordan and enjoy

[@MJIZZEL]

Doesn't this form of basketball look so much better than today's?!

[@chongb]

Few things i want to say, 1. Rodman was an underrated passer, he is crucial for running the triangle offense 2. Penny Hadaway was a big loss to the whole NBA. 3. MJ's fade away jump shot is the 2nd hardest thing to guard behind the sky hook

[@robertnawalowalo2909]

Everyone knew what MJs shots were, but no one could stop him.

[@N3V3RM1ND25]

GODDAMN HE WAS GOOD! How DARE people try to compare the legendary MJ to Kobe Bryant or Lebron James, there is NO comparison to make once or ever. He was and still is the BEST! :D

[@4321tim]

Classic, well putogether. I remember watching this game, MJ Was in killer mode.

[@2414kels]

NBA ON NBC and my Bulls the best back then!

[@theloverswineverytime1625]

Kdog 81 ...NBA on CBS was the best.

[@richardmanicane5124]

That pointing in the heart by Michael is a killer...it's like he's saying that "You've got to finish my heart first before you beat us". ..

[@timothyjesus]

MJ'S fadeaway jump shot is the best.

[@ckendall67]

The Bulls just simply FLATTENED everyone in their way in 1996; this 4-game sweep of Orlando merely provided the exclamation point. Seattle did push Chicago to 6 games in the Finals, but there was no way the Bulls would be denied. Side note...this proved to be Shaq's final game with the Orlando Magic.

[@jdx709]

Good editing! Miss those good ol days. Thanks for posting!

[@EggsEzz]

MJ: Getting revenge on Orlando wasn't a personal vendetta. Mike, We know you took it personal bro.

[@kennethstudley1587]

the way michael jordan played was beautiful it was artistry at it's best there could never be a comparison of LeBron and jordan there no reason for it LeBron needed a all star team to win a champion chip y michael patiently waited case over

[@kelvingillett5331]

Who knew that would be the last time Orlando would see shaq in a pin stripe .lol

[@houwie300]

When Rodman joined the Bulls, Horace was already a Magic.

[@chrisck5218]

3:43 beautiful move by Penny just great i love it

[@TwoThreeForever]

thank you! MJ 4 life

[@AKAKingJames]

I like how Jordan credits his team before speaking about himself. You don't see that from superstars these days...

[@MegaFuckthatshit]

Those sneakers Mike had on were the Greatest of all time (11's)

[@jinpaloalto]

MJ always looked so relaxed on the court. He just dominated all the other guys....

[@tabkitchen1983]

I remember this team, it was like Beatles traveling the world going city to city, everyone scrambling to get tickets to watch them...It wasn't a matter if they were going to win each night, it was all a matter of how much they were going to win by, and when MJ and the gang would be benched for the night.

[@char4ever]

you included not just NBC footage in the video, good one. :)

[@Jumpman1989]

one of his most imporant games and he started 7/7 from the field. godlike Mike

[@JeyLast]

Goat

[@kuriaki71]

Bulls Greatest team ever

[@IOYB]

Yes, you do. I know it feels lovely to reminisce about a time you don't remember quite fondly and act like it's night and day with today, but it's virtually identical. There are several humble stars in today's game.

[@gafrmfla]

Jordan was just torching them wth that fadeaway.

[@TwoThreeForever]

8:58-9:04 Jordan: ''you can't stop me!''

[@natureboy6611]

Best game I’ve seen all year.

[@Pepsolman]

Love how you created your own replays.

[@damezgal]

magnificent!!! bravo!! thats all i can say

[@optimistic1__299]

Jordan torch the Magic’s 😂😂😂😂

[@TheRatedIX7]

Rodman's Line-up picture is hilarious. LMFAO!!

[@TwoThreeForever]

seriously! damn I miss nba on nbc! the music, the scoreboard, the announcers....wow!

[@EdmondLau2007]

I wish the young kids today could have seen basketball in the 90's while it was happening to appreciate the game when it wasn't watered down like today. This Bulls team didn't just win, they wrecked other teams. 72-10 in the regular season and if they got a few more calls in those 10 games, it wouldn't have even been 10. Any team from today wouldn't stand a chance against those Bulls championship teams.

[@3BALL4]

6:09 I have that poster on my wall

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

Pippen gave some sympathy for Hardaway because he was about to get dunked on Lol.

[@ShaadsComicsandBeers]

​@@meharinationsportspodcast2582 Penny ducked on his own lol. He was trying to get the hell out the way lol

[@MannyMensah94]

6:07-6:11 Pippen to Jordan.

[@joncuesta95]

4:45 soo funny! (look at Rodman jumping n playin!)

[@blackadam06]

This had to be one of MJ's most satisfying wins as a player. Vindication on this level against a group of young, cocky & arrogant group of players who ALL SUMMER LONG, mocked & joked about him & their win over him the previous season. Those young cats just didn't realize "THEY" were the reason he came back & utterly DOMINATED the league that year. U know he savored the wins in this series..

[@TwoThreeForever]

they should make a box set dvd on the top 50 (or more) of Michael Jordan's greatest games in HD with Marv Albert/Matt Goukas commentary!!! I am still waiting for something like that. because it's honestly just a shame that he could not watch the world's greatest in High Def!!!

[@bobbo0383]

Actually in a replay I think Matt Goukas says that Pippen was the one grabbing Hardaway to prevent him from contesting the shot.

[@tomincanada]

Jordan is absolutely the greatest.. but young Shaq was damn sure a beast unlike anything the NBA has today.

[@kOrOne79]

Thanks. The image quality is not what I expected, I hope my next vids turn out better.

[@gArBgebIN]

love how they chant defense..but then MJ cans another jumoer, but theres still very loud cheers. and damn penny was good. i hope d-rose turns out to play like him

[@Mari000]

Beautiful sweep especially after they raised Grant on their shoulders like they won a ring in the previous year😂

[@AirYu23]

peeny was so creative player in those days! what about the move at 6:59,he passed pippen so easily! what a move!

[@jxn23]

Great job man! Great Edit. This game is one of my favourite games ever

[@xzver]

Nice vid!

[@ta4life27]

phil smile ur going the finals jeezess

[@kcthatsawinner]

The 1995-96 Magic were the winningest team in franchise history with 60 victories, but MJ & the Bulls made those 60 wins irrelevant, just like the 64 wins Seattle had. This would be Shaq's final game in Orlando, few weeks later he signed with the L.A. Lakers, after the Hornets traded Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac. That would lead to the Shaq and Kobe show, but Shaq & Co. were swept by Utah in '97 & '98 and San Antonio in '99. Then Phil Jackson came along, and Shaq would be finally get his rings!

[@larrytxeast]

7:03 May be my favorite play, Rodman zipping a bullet pass to Pippen. Don't ever forget how important was to the Bull's 2nd 3 peat.

[@Tyler_Solomon]

Great video and great memories! 👌

[@xxcoolj]

yea...exactly..i was really mad when Magic won in 95...but MJ got the last laugh

[@sheppardtrooper]

@ 6:07 Jordan took FLIGHT .... POW !

[@edzelmejia4044]

One of his most gracefully emphatic games.

[@vargas218]

And so this started the end of the Orlando Magic

[@jamalabdelbaset6635]

Fun fact: The Bulls lost the first game of a 4-game regular season series vs Orlando due to Penny going off. After that The Bulls would go onto win 19 straight (including the 96 Playoffs) games against the Magic from 95-96-97-98!

[@rukawa23gold]

MJ always brings the max game when it counted the most. When MJ came back the previous year, he didn't have the full training camp with his teammates. Yes, he was ridiculed by Nick Anderson saying MJ played like 45 years old in #45 jersey. And then MJ came back with a vengeance in that 72 win season. 👑🙏👍

[@trizord2]

Rodman is so true 2:59

[@AntonioWhite-ef4ue]

THIS GAME WAS FOR REVENGE AFTER 1995 WHEN JORDAN AND BULLS LOST TO THE ORLANDO MAGIC!!! JORDAN EXCELLENT FULL SEASON BACK TO RAMP UP THE BULLS FOR THE PLAYOFFS SHOWED THAT NOT ONLY HIM, PIPPEN, RODMAN, SALLEY AND EDWARDS HAD A ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP BECAUSE THEY EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE, BUT FOR THE OTHER GUYS WHO NEVERED WON A CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE BULLS HAD A CHANCE TO WIN THERE FIRST RING!!!

[@jumpnam]

the footspeed Jordan had. MJ would often just blow by defenders without even a fake cos of his speed. Even when he got older, he could get by guys cos he knew how to get them off balance. And one final point: in 1986/87, with handchecking allowed, physical defence allowed, no 3sec defensive rule and some of the greatest big men to play the game (Ewing, Olajuwon, Kareem etc) Jordan averaged 37ppg. Can you imagine what kind of numbers he could put up if he was playing and in his prime today?

[@bartoszsasal818]

MJ: "...today it was my turn..." :)

[@airj0rdanz]

this game should've been one of the jordan challenges in nba 2k11

[@delfra70]

@retrotw It was a beautiful game MJ played, but a deadly one for the Magic. MJ played the perfect game, pacing himself, allowing his teamates to stay involved and not forcing bad shots. We see the highlight dunks, fancy passes and all, but this was an absolute clinic he put on, 73%FG on the road, against Shaq, Penny, Grant & the defending eastern conference champions Orlando Magic. Who does this kinda thing, especially on the road against a 60-win squad.

[@ede38]

damn penny was a beast! he could've been sth. like the next mj... too bad he got those injuries! he killed like anything in the league at that time!

[@drupy2000]

He who laughs last, laughs longest.

[@cantina4celly]

Bring back the hand check!

[@jpogigtxcr1778]

We all know how great a defender Pippen is, but Penny always makes him look just like an ordinary defender. Penny's post up game is the best I've seen for a guard. He's also either too big or too fast, for any size defender.

[@chrisck5218]

The last game were you coud see o'neal and Penny playing together. At the end of the game o'neal knew that it was the time to leave orlando and he did it. Penny was alone in 1997 :( he never regained his performance

[@AnthonyJohnson-hl1ru]

MJ GREATEST OF ALL TIME ⌚

[@---wc2zp]

Jordan lost to the Magic with the #45 Jersey and he avenged their lost by Sweeping and closed out the series with 45 pts

[@DaMonstaMasta]

Man these were the days...

[@delfra70]

@g0ldbuG You could very well be right about that, when i watched the Bulls play during that historical '95-'96 season, they seemed to play with a certain resolve, deterimation and chip on their shoulder. I knew they would be great that year with the addition of 'Worm' and MJ now fully intricated back into the Bulls system. I knew 25 games into the season, that this squad was winning it all, and no team was touching them. I think they would have won 65-68 games, but that extra motivation did it.

[@bulls7123]

lol I notice that they changed the paint configuration at the Orlando arena between 95 and 96 (they made the point primarily blue instead of primarily black).

[@erickonassis6310]

These bulls would be golden state

[@premesupreme713]

That was Great!!!

[@halfreditol]

Pippen coming for a sensational 27 points game.... lol and when MJ scores 27 in a game people starts saying michael is struggling!

[@mariettuazon6554]

Full game pls tnks

[@3912James]

9:18 Shaq: "Punk the Orlando Magic....'sniff sniff'....PUNK'EM!!!!"

[@kOrOne79]

To be fair, Jordan had some nice shooting games himself: 20-29 (69%) vs Indiana 1986 22-32 (69%) vs Philly 1987 19-27 (70%) vs Indiana 1987 20-31 (65%) vs Cleveland 1987 19-27 (70%) vs Sacramento 1988 21-34 (62%) vs Portland 1988 19-32 (59%) vs Boston 1988 21-27 (78%) vs Detroit 1988 18-27 (67%) vs New York 1988 24-29 (83%) vs Philly 1988 19-27 (70%) vs Denver 1988 18-30 (60%) vs Cleveland 1988 19-31 (61%) vs Cleveland 1989 18-29 (62%) vs Dallas 1989

[@TheDignam]

In 1995 Nick Anderson told to everybody that the 23 was better than the 45... He was right the 23 swept him in 1996. Jordan 6 NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS, Anderson 0....

[@mistanderson]

Did Marv said 16-22 from the Field? WOOW Thats greatness. Kobe cant do those numbers. It take Kobe 45-50 attempts to get 40+ pts lol.

[@stephenmorita]

God Damn, 16-22 for 45 points.

[@popeyeisgood]

i always wonder what was hardaway doing at that play at 6:11...is he trying to grab onto pippen to get a call or he just got scared by jordan?haha. his reaction there is just funny.

[@YoutubeCommentRater]

The guy, my idol..never forgets. Michael hadn't forgot where he lost his heart the year before when he returned from baseball. He had a vendetta for this Orlando building. The year before he got the ball stolen from him by Nick Anderson and that cost him the chance to knock off the MAGIC in the playoffs. His eyes showed in this whole series he NEVER FORGOT that. The guy NEVER forgets. And as a fan, i knew by watching him this whole series……..he was as anticipating as I was for this matchup. What great memories. Thank you MJ.

[@dlawson688]

i agree with everything you said here. we well said.

[@Paragon231]

I actually prefer this older post-move addicted version of Jordan over his younger one.

[@AbbeyRoad52]

Wow, when Jon Koncak is your starting PF you know you're in trouble.

[@clutchcity25]

6:07. Great job pulling him so he couldn't contest the shot, Scottie.

[@TwoThreeForever]

twmetal4ever: Im glad you understand what I´ve been saying for a long time. Bryant is crap when it really matters in the playoffs/finals. but Jordan was always dominant

[@drupy2000]

the revenge from 1995