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25 years ago, for two weeks in May of 1994, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks played a 7-game playoff series. Its highlights are legendary. Its controversy is iconic.
This is the true story of how seven games in the second round forever changed the NBA.
A thread.
This is the true story of how seven games in the second round forever changed the NBA.
A thread.
The 1994 Bulls-Knicks 2nd round series featured an iconic...
✅ Brawl
✅ Personality conflict
✅ Game-winner
✅ Foul call
✅ Dunk
...as well as the closest any team has gotten to a four-peat since Bill Russell’s Celtics.
It had everything:
✅ Brawl
✅ Personality conflict
✅ Game-winner
✅ Foul call
✅ Dunk
...as well as the closest any team has gotten to a four-peat since Bill Russell’s Celtics.
It had everything:
Everything in the '94 Bulls-Knicks series combined to change the NBA’s suspension rules for fights, rewrite the future of MJ, Pippen, Phil and the Bulls — and potentially alter 12 of the next 17 Finals, all the way to 2010.
This thread will first lay out the landscape of this wild series, and then explain how history was altered.
Buckle your seatbelts, Dorothy...
Buckle your seatbelts, Dorothy...
The Bulls and Knicks entered their 1994 2nd round series with an absurd amount of history. MJ and company ended New York’s season in 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
But everything changed Oct. 6, 1993.
But everything changed Oct. 6, 1993.
That, of course, is the day that Michael Jordan abruptly announced his retirement a month before the season. With one press conference, a possible four-peat flipped into doom, like Bernie Lincicome predicting the Bulls to finish 41-41.
Yet the Bulls, led by Pippen, played well above nearly everyone’s expectations. B.J. Armstrong and Horace Grant were first-time all-stars and Pippen won the game’s MVP award.
Pip's highlights are gorgeous:
Pip's highlights are gorgeous:
The Pippen MVP movement was real. In late March, the Tribune ran an MVP poll, with Pippen, Robinson, Hakeem and Shaq each voting for their top 4. Those four plus Ewing and Barkley received votes.
Only Pip, Dream and the Admiral ended up on all ballots.
Only Pip, Dream and the Admiral ended up on all ballots.
We even saw Sam Smith speculate about Jordan’s value as Pippen led the Bulls to within one game of the East’s top seed, ultimately finishing 3rd.
Incredibly, the Bulls won 55 games in 1994, just two fewer than in 1993 with MJ.
More on Pippen's '94: readjack.wordpress.com/2016/05/22/sco…
Incredibly, the Bulls won 55 games in 1994, just two fewer than in 1993 with MJ.
More on Pippen's '94: readjack.wordpress.com/2016/05/22/sco…
So here we go.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks beat the Nets in four while the Bulls swept the Cavaliers. The Bulls and Knicks would play in the postseason for the 5th time in 6 years.
Marv Albert's introduction to Game 1 says it all:
In the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks beat the Nets in four while the Bulls swept the Cavaliers. The Bulls and Knicks would play in the postseason for the 5th time in 6 years.
Marv Albert's introduction to Game 1 says it all:
The Knicks won the first two games in New York, just like in 1993. What you have to remember about the 1990s NBA was that the hard foul still existed.
It took a REALLY hard foul to cause fights, like when Derek Harper hammered B.J. in the neck in Game 2.
Then came Game 3.
It took a REALLY hard foul to cause fights, like when Derek Harper hammered B.J. in the neck in Game 2.
Then came Game 3.
There were three stunning moments in Game 3.
The first came late in the first half, when backup Bulls guard Jo Jo English and starting Knicks guard Derek Harper tangled, tussled and tumbled into the crowd.
This became the most notorious brawl in playoff history.
The first came late in the first half, when backup Bulls guard Jo Jo English and starting Knicks guard Derek Harper tangled, tussled and tumbled into the crowd.
This became the most notorious brawl in playoff history.
The English-Harper brawl was bad enough on the court, but it spilled into the stands and knocked over fans, all in front of a horrified commissioner David Stern.
This was the third big fight that postseason, so the league was on edge. Yet no one foresaw fans getting steamrolled.
This was the third big fight that postseason, so the league was on edge. Yet no one foresaw fans getting steamrolled.
The second stunning moment of Game 3 are its infamous final 1.8 seconds.
After the Knicks managed to erase a 22-point Bulls lead and tie the game, the Bulls had one chance to win. Phil Jackson called for Pippen to inbound to Kukoc. Pippen said no and sat out.
After the Knicks managed to erase a 22-point Bulls lead and tie the game, the Bulls had one chance to win. Phil Jackson called for Pippen to inbound to Kukoc. Pippen said no and sat out.
Pippen chalked it up to "frustration," and there were long-simmering issues between him and the rookie Kukoc and how the Bulls, and Bulls fans, treated each of them.
Yet earlier in the season, Phil dialed up the same play for a winner. Pip celebrated:
Yet earlier in the season, Phil dialed up the same play for a winner. Pip celebrated:
The third stunning moment is of course tied to the second — because Kukoc hit the shot!
Had he missed with Pippen playing, Phil may have gotten backlash. Had he missed with Pip out, both Phil & Pip may have gotten it.
But with Toni successful, the wrath turned to Scottie.
Had he missed with Pippen playing, Phil may have gotten backlash. Had he missed with Pip out, both Phil & Pip may have gotten it.
But with Toni successful, the wrath turned to Scottie.
Of course, this dynamic would have been irrelevant with Jordan, as he would have taken the last shot (if we even needed it).
Instead, Jordan was in Orlando monitoring the game from the Birmingham Barons clubhouse. He later told @mkisaacson what he saw:
Instead, Jordan was in Orlando monitoring the game from the Birmingham Barons clubhouse. He later told @mkisaacson what he saw:
So the Bulls won Game 3 and then Game 4 to tie the series. With everyone wondering how he would respond, Pip dominated: a game-high 25 points + six assists, eight boards and two steals.
And this brought us back to New York, tied at two, just like 1993.
And more controversy.
And this brought us back to New York, tied at two, just like 1993.
And more controversy.
🚨TRIGGER ALERT, BULLS FANS🚨
With 2.1 seconds remaining in Game 5 at MSG and the Bulls holding a one-point lead, referee Hue Hollins whistled Pippen for a late shooting foul on Hubert Davis.
Pippen, Jackson and the Bulls were apoplectic.
Davis calmly sunk both free throws.
With 2.1 seconds remaining in Game 5 at MSG and the Bulls holding a one-point lead, referee Hue Hollins whistled Pippen for a late shooting foul on Hubert Davis.
Pippen, Jackson and the Bulls were apoplectic.
Davis calmly sunk both free throws.
The Bulls couldn’t score on the final possession. The Knicks led 3-2. And talk forever turned to Hollins’ late whistle.
Again, Jordan was far away, watching while in a Barons uniform. This was 25 years ago today, May 18, 1994:
Again, Jordan was far away, watching while in a Barons uniform. This was 25 years ago today, May 18, 1994:
Game 6 saw the Bulls at home, facing elimination for the first time since going 7 games with the Knicks in 1992.
This was their final chance to keep the 4-peat alive. And Pippen delivered with perhaps the most iconic play of his career.
The Ewing Dunk.
This was their final chance to keep the 4-peat alive. And Pippen delivered with perhaps the most iconic play of his career.
The Ewing Dunk.
The Ewing Dunk was amazing because it was Pip, after this roller coaster season and series, saying: “The dynasty is not ending in Chicago.”
This was the final game of consequence at Chicago Stadium, and Pip protected home court.
Bye Pat. Bye John. And as Pip said: Bye Spike.
This was the final game of consequence at Chicago Stadium, and Pip protected home court.
Bye Pat. Bye John. And as Pip said: Bye Spike.
The Bulls sent the series back to New York for Game 7. This was, and remains, the closest any team since Russell's Celtics have gotten to a four-peat.
And man oh man oh man do I love these Marv Albert / NBC / NBA intros.
And man oh man oh man do I love these Marv Albert / NBC / NBA intros.
This Bulls history thread is brought to you by...
My '96 Bulls book! Read it now, for free :)
readjack.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/how-th…
My '96 Bulls book! Read it now, for free :)
readjack.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/how-th…
In Game 7, at long last, the Knicks prevailed. Ewing’s Knicks won 87-77, finally knocking off the Bulls in the playoffs and ending our shot at a four-peat.
Okay, here comes the fun part.
How did this series forever change the NBA?
In three ways.
Okay, here comes the fun part.
How did this series forever change the NBA?
In three ways.
‘94 Bulls-Knicks history changer #1: The Brawl
Three recent fights had the NBA on edge. In 1993, the Knicks and Suns produced a league-record in fight fines: 21 players for more than $292,000. Greg Anthony’s five-game suspension tied for the longest since Kermit Washington.
Three recent fights had the NBA on edge. In 1993, the Knicks and Suns produced a league-record in fight fines: 21 players for more than $292,000. Greg Anthony’s five-game suspension tied for the longest since Kermit Washington.
Here is the '93 Knicks-Suns fight. The league's issue with fighting was nothing new — the Kermit-Rudy T punch was in 1977. But in the early 1990s, the league's play was getting uglier, scrappier and rougher.
I mean, Greg Anthony got a five-game suspension in street clothes.
I mean, Greg Anthony got a five-game suspension in street clothes.
Then in the ‘94 playoffs, prior to the Bulls-Knicks brawl, the league had to hand out 16 fines and four suspensions for fights between the Hawks and Heat and the Spurs and Jazz.
Here is the Hawks-Heat brawl:
Here is the Hawks-Heat brawl:
And here is Spurs forward Dennis Rodman getting into it with Jazz forward Tom Chambers:
The English-Harper brawl was the last straw.
In October of 1994, before the ‘94-’95 season, the NBA announced a huge rule change, inspired by that fight: players who leave the bench during a fight would no longer simply incur a fine. They would also be suspended one game.
In October of 1994, before the ‘94-’95 season, the NBA announced a huge rule change, inspired by that fight: players who leave the bench during a fight would no longer simply incur a fine. They would also be suspended one game.
This rule led to two huge suspensions that changed at least one title.
In 1997, with the Knicks up 3-1 on the Heat in Round 2, a P.J. Brown-Charlie Ward fight in Game 5 led to four Knicks suspended for leaving the bench for a mix of Games 6 and 7. The Heat won the series.
In 1997, with the Knicks up 3-1 on the Heat in Round 2, a P.J. Brown-Charlie Ward fight in Game 5 led to four Knicks suspended for leaving the bench for a mix of Games 6 and 7. The Heat won the series.
Ten years later, Phoenix lost Amar’e Stoudemire & Boris Diaw to suspensions for a Game 5 rubber match vs. the Spurs when they took a few instinctive steps off the bench after Robert Horry hip-checked Steve Nash into the scorer’s table.
The Spurs won in six, and later the title.
The Spurs won in six, and later the title.
In short, if you're an NBA fan who believes the league today is "soft," a big part of your beef is with the '94 Bulls-Knicks series and the brawl in Game 3. That, as much as the Malice in the Palace, pushed the league into a new direction.
‘94 Bulls-Knicks history changer #2: The 1.8 Seconds
Two things here. One, after '94, the Bulls came thiiiiiis close to trading Pippen in a deal that would net Shawn Kemp.
The Sonics balked because of pro-Kemp fan backlash, though Pip's reputation outside Chicago was rough too.
Two things here. One, after '94, the Bulls came thiiiiiis close to trading Pippen in a deal that would net Shawn Kemp.
The Sonics balked because of pro-Kemp fan backlash, though Pip's reputation outside Chicago was rough too.
Second, the 1.8 seconds was a sign for the need that Jordan and Pippen had for each other. Pippen saw that being the man was harder than Jordan made it look. Jordan saw an itch to scratch — a return to the Bulls to set things right.
This was the genesis for the 2nd three-peat.
This was the genesis for the 2nd three-peat.
Remove the 1.8 seconds controversy, and do the Sonics fans embrace the Pippen-Kemp trade? If that happens, does the trade go through?
And if it does, does MJ return in '95 to run with Kemp?
As he told @jadande in 2010: "Probably not."
espn.com/nba/halloffame…
And if it does, does MJ return in '95 to run with Kemp?
As he told @jadande in 2010: "Probably not."
espn.com/nba/halloffame…
‘94 Bulls-Knicks history changer #3: Hue Hollins, Hubert Davis and The Foul Heard Round the World
Let's keep this simple. We didn't lose the series because of this call, but we may well have won without it.
Let's keep this simple. We didn't lose the series because of this call, but we may well have won without it.
If the Bulls beat the Knicks in '94, we may well have beaten the Pacers too in the ECF. We could have even defeated the Rockets for the 4-peat.
Would Krause still try to trade Pippen? Would the Bulls feel good about life without MJ? Would MJ feel as deep a pull to return?
Would Krause still try to trade Pippen? Would the Bulls feel good about life without MJ? Would MJ feel as deep a pull to return?
Oh, and speaking of my favorite lowkey conspiracy theory... if the Bulls won in '94 without Jordan, would Reinsdorf still play hardball with the MLBPA, leading to MJ's return?
Meanwhile, either History Changer #2 or #3 could have affected Phil Jackson's decision to re-sign with the Bulls after his contract expired following 1995-96. What if the change in his timeline led him to never take over the Lakers. How many championships does that change?
And man, what if the Bulls pulled off the 4-peat with Pip and no MJ? This is low in importance but high in modern activity:
The GOAT debates would never be the same.
The GOAT debates would never be the same.
As it stands, the Game 6 win made the 1994 Bulls the closest team since Russell’s Celtics to reach a 4-peat. They lost in Game 7 and, obviously, came eight wins short.
But they got farther than the ‘99 Bulls (clearly) and the ‘03 Lakers.
And they gave us a helluva ride.
But they got farther than the ‘99 Bulls (clearly) and the ‘03 Lakers.
And they gave us a helluva ride.
Instead of a 4-peat, the Bulls lost, Krause alienated Pip and Horace, Grant left, the ‘95 team fell apart, the MLBPA strike sent MJ to hoops, the Magic eliminated the Bulls, the Bulls signed Rodman, Pippen embraced his #2 spot again, and the Bulls rolled out three more titles.
And you know what? I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you to Scottie, Phil, Horace, B.J., Toni, Kerr, Scott, Luc, Wennington, Will, Pete, Pax, Cartwright, Jo Jo, Blount, Krause and Reinsdorf for one of the best fan experiences of my life.
What a run. Here's to '94!
Fin.
Thank you to Scottie, Phil, Horace, B.J., Toni, Kerr, Scott, Luc, Wennington, Will, Pete, Pax, Cartwright, Jo Jo, Blount, Krause and Reinsdorf for one of the best fan experiences of my life.
What a run. Here's to '94!
Fin.
Want more Chicago sports history?
Head to my IG “A Shot on Ehlo.”
instagram.com/ashotonehlo
Lots of goodies, like this:
Head to my IG “A Shot on Ehlo.”
instagram.com/ashotonehlo
Lots of goodies, like this:
ICYMI My thread yesterday on one of the most iconic, fierce and historic playoffs series in @NBAHistory: the 7-game 2nd round battle between the @nyknicks & @chicagobulls, starring the legend @ScottiePippen.
Thanks to everyone who read and shared, especially @The1Tab @WaddleandSilvy @LaurenceWHolmes @sidkid80 @Wrk_Wrt @cbefred @bawlsports1 @BawlSports @Bulls_Peck @jsabine214 @Herring_NBA @MichaelRapaport @WCGridiron @inallairness @StephNoh @Howsito
Now let’s collect some Very Important Data.
Is Scottie Pippen’s dunk on Patrick Ewing in Game 6, 1994, the most disrespectful NBA dunk ever?
Is Scottie Pippen’s dunk on Patrick Ewing in Game 6, 1994, the most disrespectful NBA dunk ever?
Was Scottie Pippen justified in sitting out the 1.8 seconds?
What was the most memorable fight in the 1990s #NBAPlayoffs?
Who should have won 1994 NBA MVP? (Hakeem won in reality)
Did Pippen foul Hubert Davis?
If Hue Hollins doesn’t whistle Pippen for the foul on Hubert Davis and the Bulls win Game 5, who wins the series?
If the Bulls beat the Knicks in 1994, who wins the Eastern Conference Finals?
If the Bulls beat the Pacers in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, who wins the Finals?
If the Bulls win the 1994 championship without Michael Jordan, whose legacy changes more?
Who would have gotten the better end of the Pippen for Kemp & Ricky Pierce trade?
If the Bulls traded Pippen to the Sonics for Kemp/Pierce in ‘94 and MJ still decided to return in ‘95, and the two teams still meet in the ‘96 Finals, who wins?
If the Bulls traded Pippen to the Sonics for Kemp/Pierce in ‘94 and MJ still decided to return in ‘95, how many championships do the Bulls win between 1996 and 1998?
Bulls fans, let’s say a 4-peat in 1994 without MJ somehow led to the Bulls winning no additional titles. (Like, MJ decides to stay in baseball longer, for instance.)
What would you pick if you could only have one?
What would you pick if you could only have one?
Happy 25th birthday to one of the greatest and most disrespectful dunks of all-time!
@ScottiePippen’s legendary jam on Patrick Ewing, May 20, 1994, is iconic — and helped close Chicago Stadium in style 🏀 🔥🔥🔥
@ScottiePippen’s legendary jam on Patrick Ewing, May 20, 1994, is iconic — and helped close Chicago Stadium in style 🏀 🔥🔥🔥
Great look at a similar step-over in Game 4 with Oak on Pip, two games before the Pippen-Ewing dunk:
