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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.

Category: Sports

Updated: 07/01/2008 - 13:36:37

Tags: Michael, Jordan, Chicago, Orlando, NBA, Basketball, Revenge, Redemption, Sweep, Penny, Hardaway, Shaq, Comeback, Return, Finals

Votes: 142 votes.
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Comments
jalfon G.O.A.T... 09/08/2010 - 18:50:49
arpeeph Damn that was a nice Rebound to Fast Break from RODMAN...... I wish there was someone like him in the NBA today... A solid Defender, Rebounder and Transision Passer. 09/03/2010 - 03:32:16
bqc20 MJ = Best Ever 08/12/2010 - 00:05:10
blackadam06 "stop comparison kobe to MJ" I didn't start it, so how can I stop it? "Kobe wouldn't reach what's JORDAN done" In case U haven't been paying attention (which appears to be the case), that's my entire argument. I agree.. 08/08/2010 - 20:21:11
000000MJ2345000000 @blackadam06 FUCK YOU!!! stop comparison kobe to MJ....Kobe wouldn't reach what's JORDAN done....wtf@#$ 08/08/2010 - 16:54:15
blackadam06 "mj got way more (FT attempts) then kobe ever has" Oh really? Then please explain to us why kobe scores a HIGHER % of his career pts from the FT line (25.1%) than MJ did (22.9%)? I'd love an explanation for that.. 07/31/2010 - 16:19:03
JimminyButtfuck this would be the last time Shaq and Penny were wearing the same uniform at the same time 07/19/2010 - 21:36:55
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). 07/16/2010 - 20:18:52
L92185 @kOrOne79 kobe does not get freethrow treatment are u serious mj got way more then kobe ever has ur juz a biased person if u dnt see that 07/15/2010 - 20:20:33
Harvey46084 kOrOne79 Are you a baller? you have to check this out - "50inch vertical (dot) com" - It's a famous training plan that will def make you begin dunking without even going to the workout room , it's optional! Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic | 1996 Playoffs | ECF Game 4: Jordan seals the sweep kpmaahfriusghojcv jrfjmwbvhafwakqj #kOrOne79 07/09/2010 - 06:23:32
RTR9 i miss 6'7 Point guards. 06/28/2010 - 04:45:55
Wumoy89 kOrOne79, This is why I love basketball, along with all the ankle breakers. If you can't dunk yet, you GOTTA start practicing. I definitely advise you to try the one I'm using - 50 inch vertical (dot) com - I m 5 7 and I can dunk! 06/23/2010 - 14:51:12
navy2572 MICHAEL JORDAN AT HIS BEST!!! Everyone kept on talking about how he chocked in the 95 finals. I remember this game very clearly. WHAT AN A## W##ping. One last thing i have to say is that, Once Michael dominated the game there was no stoping him! NOBODY. I have not seen a player DOMINATE the game like he did. 06/12/2010 - 02:38:11
Domini478 @ede38 He didn't kill MJ! 06/11/2010 - 06:58:37
kdoggjr Honestly I think the reason the Bulls Sonics series went to 6 was cuz the Bulls weren't really trying hard in those games. The Bulls I think coulda swept their way right through the playoffs if they went 100% every night. 06/08/2010 - 10:39:58
LEE690000 to the 2010 celtics if going to win the series...watch what this bulls team do 05/27/2010 - 22:31:45
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. 05/27/2010 - 02:35:26
ButtZilla1031 And this was the end of Penny and ShaQ era. 05/20/2010 - 16:16:00
bigben1986 i loved that year because they had jordan as a scrub againts haradawy due tot he elimination a yr prior. jordan came back and beat his assssssssssssssss. 05/18/2010 - 01:57:08
kiminokami @The2012Prophet Imagine if he gave it his all! 239-67 Bulls win! 05/17/2010 - 12:43:40
ldrcrusher 9:19 this is the image we will see in 1 month from today from not only SHAQ, but from JEBRON LAMES as well, maybe holding hands? 04/26/2010 - 07:21:43
HoustonRocket101 Orlando arena was such a great place, its a crying shame that it will be gone in a few years. It certainly wasnt the most luxurious arena, but it had so much character. These new arenas these days are so bland, they all look the same and they have no atmosphere. 04/17/2010 - 21:02:40
waynehart8231 kOrOne79 Play basketball? Then you need to see this - 50 inch vertical (dot) com. I highly recommend it! I m 5 5 and started dunking quickly after 4 weeks of the training! Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic | 1996 Playoffs | ECF Game 4: Jordan seals the sweep 04/11/2010 - 10:56:52
kellyalan139 shit yo kOrOne79 this vid is excellent if you're interested in dunking you need to start doing this today - | 50 inch vertical [dot] com | holler at you later kOrOne79 04/11/2010 - 05:04:33
gthawj21 jordan is the best cause his basics were way better than anyones add that wif his natural ability THE GOAT OF NBA. miss these days, 04/01/2010 - 06:41:41
 
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