MAGIC is BACK!! Bulls @ Lakers 1996

[@19737143]

me and my brother were there, i was a chicago fan and him was a laker, i remember that it was too hard to get tickets, but i finally did so by the time magic came back to play , make it even more especial. thank god i got the chance to see jordan and magic play. man i miss the 90s....

[@andgar923]

good upload, it was a fun game and I can never get bored of Nick Van Exel.

[@hectorlopez1069]

and Eddie Jones

[@shlobs422]

i remember watching this game, and it was ridiculous how good those bulls were. I dont think we're ever gonna see a team that dominant again.

[@deirfniw0]

What a game.. Jordan, Pippen, Magic, just incredible to watch them play. It's just unbelievable how good the Bulls were back then, how they outplay their opponents in about every way is just stunning..

[@juicybongo173]

It's been 11 years. And you forgot Rodman

[@MrSlik25]

They could never stop Magics hook.

[@hectorlopez1069]

He had a decent hook shot

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

4:19 SWEET Van Excel running 30 footer at the end of 1st quarter

[@marvinlassegue951]

What NBA greatness is all about.

[@8cali94]

great to see magic back

[@omidfilms]

I was at this game nose bleed, I went crazy when Van Exel hit the half court shot

[@sicnarf6971]

If only Eddie jones stayed in the lakers and accepted a lesser role

[@tweetiethebird]

Danny Ainge commentating is smart he tells the lakers how to guard Michael on the break is right every time I heard

[@bssin910]

I met Bill Wennington at a mall in Indianapolis. I doubt he ever expected anybody to recognize him. The 95-96 Bulls are the best of any sport.

[@mrturner8806]

That crossover by Steve Kerr though....

[@jadentrez]

I remember reading in the newspaper the day after this game: "He (Magic) kept doing that skyhook," said Dennis Rodman. "You need a lot more than that to play in today's league." Magic, in the same article, said "Right now we are nowhere near the level they are playing at."

[@jumpnam]

Ha ha another classic. Can you keep this up man? Im tellin you every morning now when I wake up first thing I do is check youtube to see if what you've said. Im gonna look back on this with fond memories one day...

[@jzoom45]

great video. great editing. this game had it all. jordan, magic, pippen, rodman, and chick hearn. hall of fame baby.

[@Nafon]

And that crossover by Steve Kerr there shows why he's one of my favourite players.

[@k-man26]

8:49

[@noneyabeeysnass8283]

🥴

[@Maximillian24]

Tupac was at this game! I got my picture taken with him. Actually there was quite a few celebs there. Magic had just come back.

[@Julianvanderheijden]

We need to see this picture! ❤

[@Maximillian24]

@@Julianvanderheijden My profile pic

[@DiverseLA]

Do you know around where he was sitting? I was at this game too as a kid, but sitting way up in the nosebleeds (by where the retired jerseys were). I had no idea Tupac was at this game until a few years ago!

[@mitrieD]

I must concur, the 90's are the golden era

[@pavlemanasijevic1998]

Man rodman with 22 rebs. today no one can reach 15 rebs smh

[@jxn23]

Great video! Magic and Jordan (and others) made the nba what it is today. Thanks

[@hectorlopez1069]

With their accomplishments

[@StargateSG1Fan]

Glory days basketball game✊🏽

[@Maximillian24]

Tupac was there I got my picture with him at this game.

[@qtebab]

Where's the picture?!!1

[@javaefoster4558]

Profile pic

[@Chrisaaad]

damn.. i wonder what that must have felt like! it gave me chills to watch this game on tv, i can't imagine how emotional it would have been to be at the forum that night.

[@DetroitLove4U]

I miss the Great Western Forum. It had more mystique than the Boston Garden. Does anyone know where I can find a link to Prime Ticket's theme song for the Lakers from the 90's?

[@kuriaki71]

90s Bulls Greatest ever

[@EricDiFebbo]

GD, this was a game. Hype, pure elite, great competition.

[@chaunseybillings5381]

I miss theses guys

[@lennycoco]

That Steve Kerr cross over 👀

[@heyyy19]

Great job on this video.

[@upallnite79]

Maaan, these are Bulls highlights! Magic came in to work up a sweat!

[@juanitomontolla2839]

one of the greatest of all time

[@huntand]

How tough would it have been to get a ticket to this one? '96 Bulls, in LA, one of Magic's first games back? Can't imagine what scalpers were getting for this game!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Crowd was glad to see magic back on the Lakers.

[@Rodzilla97]

magic should have never left, then retired after the 96 season. he was stll in his prime when he retired cause of hiv in late 91. but he played the 92 allstar game(MVP), thefor the 92 dream team. he really should have just played the whole 92 season-96. it's a shame. at least michael got to play him in the finals once

[@uberathlete]

that hook shot is effin sweet

[@kelvingillett5331]

At this point the bulls had already taken over every arena that they where playing in .

[@titomoreno]

rodman 21 rebounds at the end of the 3rd quarter, thats insane!!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Great defensive player

[@idansolon4715]

1:00 Danny Ainge totally misusing the word "beneficiary"

[@teazy7468]

Steve Kerr with that cross over at the end, lil Iverson. 😁

[@myanks12]

This is great footage. I hate the Lakers, but I've always loved watching Laker home games with that unique music they play when the visitors have the ball...you could really hear it well in the old Forum.

[@ermiashagosfinalboss]

The year of 1996! MAGIC returns and retires, kobe gets drafted, and Tupac dies

[@DifferentFan0]

Ermo Time Pac died in 97’

[@patattacprod1]

Stick Talk Gorilla 1996 man..

[@blackadam06]

That's true..Pippen nor Grant didn't start to show the type of promise as players that people suspected of them, until LATE '90. The mid 80's thru the early 90's, was INDEED a superior era & brand of ball than what we got in the mid 90's & now..no doubt about it. The ONLY Bull who CONSISTENTLY brought it against the Celts, Lakers & Pistons, was MJ..that can't be disputed, he just didn't have the MATURE team around him at that time, to compete with those guys..

[@thettruest]

being a 12 year vet that is. basically i meant i don't think his game was leaving him from being a vet in 91, rather more or less the same if not in his prime, and i think it shows in his stats i don't think he would have had his total game at 36 but who knows is the point. I believe he would have played similar if he dedicated. he should have stayed with their upcoming lineup i think period. Also alota ppl said the same things about barkley with weight when he was good.

[@discoAL]

yeah I remember that. and that's a shame. that was a talented squad but they were inconsistent and lacked leadership. I remember Ceballos feeling that they were the Lakers now and that Magic had his time. which is unfortunate cause it seemed Magic still had a lot of basketball left in him to help a team. the next year Shaq actually tried to talk Magic out of retiring, he said he wanted to play with him.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

" the next year Shaq actually tried to talk Magic out of retiring" Magic is 36 in this game & doesn't need super-duper athleticism to pass like a legend. I wish he had come for another season, maybe given the Bulls a run for their money.

[@chaunseybillings5381]

The real NBA

[@KSardor1]

This is the best game ever played.

[@espdemon]

Pippen took this game over.. He was ridiculous that whole season.. Should have won MVP.

[@BrutallyH0nest]

7:20 Sick shot. His back was completely to the basket and even more impressive is it was with the left hand lol.

[@jordanlover23]

Awesome, rare game. Damn, how many pull up 3's did Pippen hit in this game? lol Jordan was Jordan as usual -- I just love watching that guy play. Like a man among boys.

[@esiasssss]

i saw this game it was a blowout

[@brasmussen81]

Yeah, that was impressive. 72-10 was insane!

[@hectorlopez1069]

The year Michael came back

[@DaRealNaga]

kerr wit the crossover!!!!!!!!!!

[@mikem591]

Michael Jordan is my favorite player of all-time and the greatest bball player of all time. However, I think that Magic seemed to have a greater immediate impact on his teams, in terms of them improving. The Lakers went 22-10 at his return, which was an improvement for them. I think it would have been even greater if he was at the PG that who time, rather then playing power forward. I believe it was a more succesful comeback then Jordan comeback with the Wizards. If you put this version of Magic on the 2003 Wizards, I believe Magic would have gotten them into the playoffs playing point guard. Michael Jordan is still the greatest, but I believe Magic had a more powerful, immediate impact on his teams, in terms of making his teammates better and immediately winning.

[@mikem591]

Good insights. I actually felt he had a bigger impact the 1st year and the 2nd year was kind of 'flat'. I do believe Michael winning ways rubbed off on people. Richard Hamilton, went on to win a championship. It seemed like playing with Michael was a positive experience and he soaked up a lot of Michael's teachings and "MO". When Michael played for the Whitesox farm team, the manager Francona went on to win two championships with the Red Sox. Michael's winning spirit did seem to influence others. I noticed Scott Pippen was a better player with Michael and the Bulls, then his time with the Rockets and Blazers. Anyway, good insights.

[@Edd1e8]

+mikem987 - and Magic proved your point when he immediately led the Lakers to a title in 1980. =)

[@emmanuelenyinwa1443]

Yes. Jordan had FIVE losing seasons in the NBA. Magic had NONE. 1996 showed it wasn't "talent", but HOW Magic played the game. Pippen is really a Magic clone, and so, in a lesser way, is Rodman. They both did all the little things that led to victory. Jordan was more like a Kevin Durant.

[@boogieloo1831]

Emmanuel Enyinwa - you continue with your moronic crusade against MJ and are as usual, intentionally disingenuous by leaving out context and facts. From '84 to '89, MJ had 43 different teammates, 3 different starters each season and 3 different coaches. Magic was drafted in to an already great and stacked Lakers squad you fool. It wasn't his superlative play only. He also had one of the greatest coaches of all time in Pat Riley. Same thing with Bird - he was drafted to a super squad. MJ however was drafted on to a 27-55 Bulls team without one single player from his championship squad. And yet he dominated individually anyway. I don't get your ridiculous hatred for MJ but considering he's the greatest of all time and considering Magic himself has said this constantly about MJ - his exact words, "MJ's the GOAT. No doubt about it. He did it on the highest stage" - your intentionally deceptive points mean nothing. That's one of the countless things that separates MJ from the rest. He started with NOTHING and yet he overcame more adversity than nearly any other Champion ever. He never ran away and quite frankly, his championship squad from '91 to '93 was on paper, not as good as Magic's teams but they still won anyway. That is the hallmark of true greatness. If MJ was lucky enough to be drafted on to the Lakers, he probably would have played point guard also considering that's what Dean Smith wanted for him - he'd have won countless more championships but he had to start from zero unlike Magic Johnson - but again, he succeeded anyway and more so than Magic.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

"Same thing with Bird - he was drafted to a super squad." No. Bird was added to a team that had NO McHale and NO Parish, added 31 games. How similar the pre and post Bird teams were I leave as an exercise to you.

[@eajinabi]

This was the 95-96 season. Vlade got traded in the summer of '96 , right before the 96-97 season started. The whole roster almost was wiped clean out except for Van Exel, Jones and Campbell and eventually all three of them got traded the following season after that.

[@thettruest]

in 91 he still got away with triple doubles in the finals. Sometimes being a vet makes you better with experience/knowledge, anticipation, game IQ, etc. Jordan's comeback years are underrated among his fans who witnessed his early career. 36 is not that old, Jordan avgd 20 pts at nearly 40. Magic isn't trying to score 50 a game running point guard or point forward. He could have gotten into reasonable shape for it, it just would take work that he hadn't done prior to this comeback.

[@vaibanez17]

Cheryl Miller is probably the only woman who ever could have played in the NBA, but then when you think about it, you know there are too many jerks in the NBA who would have tried to injure her on purpose.

[@nathanpillay41]

Yes, I agree. But 1992 could probably stand alone as the greatest year in the history of the NBA. At least, in my opinion. It was also the year when the first Dream Team was created, and what a roster that was.

[@Paul8820]

This is a big what could've been. If Magic had decided to return for the '96-'97 season which I believe would've been his last, it could have been Magic Shaq and a rookie Kobe in the starting line-up at some point. Magic was a little out of shape he could've worked out during the summer. But just imagine

[@uberathlete]

That cross by Kerr was legit!

[@JZ2001JC]

LOL Love that Defense beat that plays everytime the Bulls have the ball LOL...And the Lakers PA Announcer is so dull as well LOL.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Tbe forum was the greatness of the Lakers in the years

[@theoneprime5463]

If Magic hadn't had to retire, the Bulls wouldn't have had that first 3-peat. Even if this Lakers team could've stayed together- Van Exel, Jones, Ceballos, Campbell, Magic, Peeler, Threatt, Vlade, Lynch- they had some players and could've contended! Of course not long after, they build their own dynasty (which I ironically hated) around Kobe and Shaq.

[@theoneprime5463]

The Lakers were VERY beat-up through that 1st Bulls championship series, and the team improved talent-wise after that year. That year, Magic averaged 19.4 pts, 12.5 ast, and 7 reb a game. The '95-'96 season saw him avg 14.6 pts, 6.9 ast, and 5.7 reb a game after being out of the league 4 years! Those are starter numbers, not just role player numbers. Pippin's avg was 19.4, 5.9 ast, 6.4 reb that year, and nobody would call him a role player. Basketball-reference.com can help a lot with actual facts and stats in the future.

[@boogieloo1831]

You delusional Lakers fans are hilarious. Would have, should have and could have. And measuring stats while not considering context is ridiculous and obviously inconclusive. The Bulls would have dismantled them defensively which is an area that LA just couldn't compete with the Bulls. That's what the Bulls did to them in the '91 Finals and everybody else throughout the decade. They won through defense.

[@jaxsonsdad79]

The irony is, this was the only time MJ and the Bulls beat a Lakers team with Magic on the court in LA in the 90s (regular season of course). The only other time MJ won in LA was 1992.

[@kbjohnson85]

yes they did

[@atomicpunk97]

Are you kidding me? Jordan holds a candle light to Magic.

[@jujuju948]

who thinks they would've had the chance to win in 1997 if magic came back at that time to play with shaq and kobe. I don't think they would've won, but I think they would've been contenders. They went 53-29 that season.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

Magic + Shaq + Kobe ... yeah add Magic to any team they get better, because he is a "once in a generation passer".

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

I think the 97 Lakers win it all with Van Exel, Magic Johnson, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell and Shaq with Jerome Kersey, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant. Or at least the 1997 NBA Finals vs the 69-13 1997 Bulls 🐂♉ and maybe Chicago still wins cuz do not forget 🚫 the 1997 Bulls 🐂 are maybe the 2nd or 3rd best Jordan led Bulls squad of the dynasty, so they could beat anyone in history, but I do not 🚫 forget, that Magic Johnson is one of the greatest winners in NBA History, and that he won 5 titles and went to 9 NBA Finals and was in the Finals in 1991 so Magic never did actually exit his prime and played a game that translated well into old age like John Stockton, he didn't need to dribble flashy, dunk, alot of shots, etc. Defense he'd be a liability but you use Eddie Jones to guard the better wing position on the opponent. You make Van Exel 2 guard on offense on occasion and vice versa let Van Exel run point like Norm Nixon with Magic a big guard playing 1,2 or whatever but he will still play the same way he always played anyway and make the best basketball play every play like he did better than anyone else in history. Shaq is a younger Kareem in 1997. A younger Wilt than Wilt was ever as a Laker. So with old Magic Johnson he plays the reverse tail end Kareem role and stabilizes Shaq s youth. I think Magic's winning pedigree alone gets L.A. to the title series. In 1997, the Sonics, Jazz and Rockets are the best Western Conference teams and the Lakers were right there with those 3 teams even without Magic Johnson and with Shaq only playing 51 games.

[@nathanpillay41]

I know, and it makes no sense because this is when the NBA was at its high point.

[@thunderstruck665]

Totally forgot that James Edwards played for the Bulls back then. Heh, back in the days when passed their prime guys were signing with the Bulls to win a championship before they were put out to pasture. I believe Robert Parish even played for them back then too. Gotta love that hook shot from Magic! It's a damn shame nobody in today's NBA knows how to do it anymore. You could see that even a beast like Dennis Rodman had NO answer for it!

[@bradleyboyer9979]

And Brian Williams (Bison Dele).

[@Crow5537]

2pac and MJ in the same building doesn’t get much more 90’s than that

[@Jumpman1989]

old sql was great, this is what allowed to play at the highest level despite advanced age

[@ratzkie619]

dangerous game

[@GREGNASTY]

And, you're right! Without PJ the Bulls nor the Lakers would've been champs.....

[@DiverseLA]

Well at least we agree on something.

[@TheGoofygoobr]

hey yo back in the 90s i had a van exel jersey, and 2 jordan jerseys, also some original air jordans on the way

[@LeaperChad7]

Thanx for loading. Do you have da entire game?

[@jumpnam]

Eddie Jones was a player. He had serious athletic ability, better leaping ability than Kobe by far.

[@thettruest]

magic's first game back he was 2 rebounds away from a triple double in only 27 min of play vs the Golden State warriors of tim hardaway and latrell sprewell. dennis avg'd less than 15 rebounds a game in 95-96. Jordan was Much more than offense.

[@michaeljordandance]

jordan took over the league

[@julezvern]

2pac was in attendance at this game.

[@jaybl00d71]

That is Tupac walking across at the bottom of your screen not at the very front but close to it 9:02. You can also see his Death Row chain shining when the light hits his death row chain

[@saintcartier6818]

julius henry who gives a fuck

[@585_Phinfan]

Steve Moran you commented so you do

[@thepac12andbig10suck]

People who comment "who gives a fuck" are just attention seekers. If they didn't care, they would've kept scrolling.

[@GREGNASTY]

I included the Celts, simply b/c they're 1 of the only 2 teams to ever do it!! Just b/c you include a team doesn't mean I'm defending them! After a 20 year absence they lucky to be in the NBA finals AFTER drating Shaq and AFTER they've changed NBA rules!! To repeat is hard, to 3-peat is VERY hard, to 3-peat TWICE in a DECADE is as hard as it gets!! Especially when yo're playing in a TOP-TALENTED league with much more teams and athleticism!

[@TheMotleyFuckingCrue]

Rodman was on the Bulls, Rodman's first year with the Bulls was the '95-'96 Season.

[@ccchrv]

Jodan vs Magic had this poster on my wall for the longest time, finally found a clip of the actual game..

[@drosegoneblow6118]

You didn't see the 91 finals?

[@saleprijic]

You're wrong...Kobe was drafted in the 1996 draft that was held after this season...this is 1995-96 season....Shaq was playing for Magic....He came next season I think...

[@Diaz23]

8:50 Steve Kerr sick ass crossover on cedric ceballos! Thats has to be RARE!

[@GREGNASTY]

Exactly, zone defense is a good defense for pointguards. So Jordan probably would get more then 50-a game. But don't forget other shooting guards and forwards (Pippen, Kerr, Buechler, Kukoc) who stepped up when Jordanwas having a 'bad day'. And Phil wasn't the most important factor, just a real important one: In '94 and '95 the Bulls had almost the same 3-peat team (except for Jordan and Paxson I believe), yet failed to get a ring.....

[@DiverseLA]

Do you know for a fact if 2Pac was at that game? I saw the video, but no proof that it was this game, although it seemed like it. Because I went to this game - I sat in the nosebleeds. It was legendary in the sense it was the game Magic returned, and it happened to be against Jordan and the same year the Bulls won the record for most-won games.

[@julezvern]

DiverseLA yes.he.was

[@pheeel17]

@ccchrv didn't think they had crossovers back then? we're talking tim hardaway and allen iverson days

[@deoronquillo5293]

Mj is the greatest,Magic comes second,Lebron never surpassed Larry yet...Why he's claiming he's the greatest

[@ThaClimaxx]

Pippen was Ballin!!!!!!

[@CarolCityCane305]

RODMAN THAT MAN IS GOD!!!!

[@doddybjworshipchannel803]

Scottie 💯

[@toppf294]

Eddie Jones was underrated

[@ccchrv]

wow... 8:50 .. didnt even know they had crossovers back then LOL thought it was only the 1,2 dribble

[@meast21rip]

pippen was so underrated

[@zerimar26]

There was no team that year that was going to beat the Bulls. Granted some of those 72 wins came against expansion teams, but that Bulls team was loaded.

[@thettruest]

Rodman's NBA . com page shows 14.9 rpg in 95-96. It was with SA i think that he was able to avg those #s

[@tayf85]

I had never heard of this guy but after this I was like DAMN WHOS JAMES EDWARDS???

[@jimwong2823]

96 Bull greatest team

[@jaybl00d71]

Everyone here's Tupac walking across the screen just at the bottom of your screen from left to right at 9:02. You can see the Deathrow chain glittering when the light catches it at his collar !

[@samoancupid798]

Cash Young I

[@MrKicks2010]

i didn't really remember this comeback since I was 10 at the time, but magic looking more like shaq in this vid lol.. put on some weight.