1995–96 NBA season

50th National Basketball Association season January 2026 May 2022 1995–96 NBA season National Basketball Association Basketball November 3, 1995 – April 21, 1996 April 25 – June 2, 1996 (Playoffs) June 5 – 16, 1996 (Finals) 29 NBC, TBS, TNT Draft 1995 NBA draft List of first overall NBA draft picks Joe Smith Golden State Warriors Regular season Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (Chicago) NBA MVP Michael Jordan (Chicago) Playoffs 1996 NBA playoffs Eastern Eastern Conference (NBA) Chicago Bulls Orlando Magic Western Western Conference (NBA) Seattle SuperSonics Utah Jazz Finals 1996 NBA Finals Chicago Bulls Seattle SuperSonics Michael Jordan (Chicago) Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award List of NBA seasons NBA 1994–95 NBA season 1994–95 1996–97 NBA season 1996–97 The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA), 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. 1995 NBA lockout The 1995 NBA lockout was the first lockout of four in the history of the NBA. When the previous collective bargaining agreement expired after the 1993–94 season, a no-strike, no-lockout agreement was made in October 1994, with a moratorium on signing or restructuring player contracts. That moratorium expired on June 15, 1995, one day after the NBA Finals concluded. The expansion draft (which was held on June 24) and the NBA draft (which was held on June 28) were allowed to take place, but all other league business, including trades, free-agent signings, contract extensions, and summer leagues were suspendedBrown, Clifton. "1995 NBA playoffs; NBA. Talks resume as lockout looms."The New York Times, Houston, 13 June 1995. Retrieved on 2 June 2015. from July 1 until September 12; no games were lost due to the lockout, as a new collective bargaining agreement was reached well before the start of the 1995–96 season.https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/15/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-stern-says-labor-deal-could-be-struck-soon.html Stern Says Labor Deal Could Be Struck Soon Tom Friend June 15, 1995 The New York Times November 17, 2011https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/13/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-nba-talks-resume-as-lockout-looms.html NBA Talks Resume as Lockout Looms Clifton Brown June 13, 1995 The New York Times November 17, 2011http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1999/01/05/lockout_chronology/ https://web.archive.org/web/20010508193441/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1999/01/05/lockout_chronology/ dead May 8, 2001 NBA Lockout Chronology January 6, 1999 CNN Sports Illustrated Time Warner Company November 17, 2011https://www.cnbc.com/2011/03/08/10-Game-Changing-Pro-Sports-Lockouts-and-Strikes.html 10 Game-Changing Pro Sports Lockouts and Strikes – National Basketball Association (1995) CNBC CNBC LLC November 17, 2011 https://www.webcitation.org/69nEp2HXC?url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/41968930/10_Game_Changing_Pro_Sports_Lockouts_and_Strikes?slide=9 2012-08-09 dead Among the key issues in the labor dispute were the salary cap, free agency, a rookie salary cap, and revenue sharing. Notable occurrences +Coaching changesOffseason Team 1994–95 coach 1995–96 coach Boston Celtics Chris Ford M.L. Carr Detroit Pistons Don Chaney Doug Collins Golden State Warriors Bob Lanier Rick Adelman Miami Heat Alvin Gentry Pat Riley New York Knicks Pat Riley Don Nelson Toronto Raptors Expansion Brendan Malone Vancouver Grizzlies Expansion Brian WintersIn-season Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach Minnesota Timberwolves Bill Blair Flip Saunders New York Knicks Don Nelson Jeff Van Gundy Phoenix Suns Paul Westphal Cotton Fitzsimmons The NBA established its first Canadian teams since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies, as the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies made their debuts as the NBA's 28th and 29th franchises.Brown Clifton 1995-11-03 PRO BASKETBALL;Now Playing in the N.B.A., the Raptors and the Grizzlies https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/03/sports/pro-basketball-now-playing-in-the-nba-the-raptors-and-the-grizzlies.html 2024-05-26 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 The Grizzlies began play at GM Place (now Rogers Arena) as a member of the Midwest Division while the Raptors set up shop at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre), with some games also played at Copps Coliseum, as a member of the Central Division. Each franchise won its first game, although Toronto would win only 21 games in the season, and Vancouver 15 games. The Chicago Bulls finished the season with a combined regular season and postseason record of 87–13, the best in NBA history.Top Moments: Bulls set NBA record with 72-win season https://www.nba.com/news/history-top-moments-bulls-win-72-games 2024-05-26 NBA.com en Chicago's 72 wins remained an NBA record until 2015, when the Golden State Warriors, who were coached by ex-Bulls guard Steve Kerr, posted a 73–9 record, despite winning a combined 88 regular season and postseason games, they failed to win the championship. Prior to the start of the NBA Playoffs, the Bulls shocked the basketball world by wearing black socks, claiming this as redemption to the city's most infamous sports moment, the Black Sox Scandal of 1919.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y7O9ryNhGQ Chicago Bulls' players wearing black socks (origin) - 1996 NBA Playoffs 2019-06-03 Jordan era NBA history podcast - In all Airness 2024-05-26 YouTube The socks would become a Bulls playoff tradition, which other teams soon follow. However, this was not the first time a team or a particular player wore black socks; earlier in the season, Orlando Magic forward Dennis Scott wore black socks while competing in the AT&T Three-Point Shootout at NBA All-Star Weekend. The Miami Heat hired Pat Riley as the team's new head coach and president of basketball operations. The hire caused controversy as the New York Knicks claimed that the Heat were guilty of tampering. After an investigation by the NBA, the Heat were found guilty and were forced to give the Knicks $1 million and a first round draft pick.2024-03-02 HEAT COMPENSATES KNICKS FOR RIGHT TO PURSUE RILEY https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/09/02/heat-compensates-knicks-for-right-to-pursue-riley/0b06006d-8ea3-4fa3-bdcb-2dce7ec02637/ 2024-05-26 Washington Post en-US 0190-8286 Riley's first moves were the acquisition of Alonzo Mourning from the Charlotte Hornets for Glen Rice, and the trade for Tim Hardaway from the Golden State Warriors for Kevin Willis. Hardaway and Mourning would turn the struggling Heat into contenders in the coming seasons. NBA debuts for four future All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Michael Finley, Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse. Toronto Raptors point guard Damon Stoudamire won Rookie of the Year. Michael Jordan became the only player to win the NBA Finals MVP Award at least four times. He would also become the second player to earn the MVP triple crown since Willis Reed in 1970, having won All-Star, Regular Season and Finals MVP in the same season; an achievement he also accomplished in 1998, and later on by Shaquille O'Neal in 2000. Michael Jordan won his NBA record 8th scoring title. The Boston Celtics played their first season at the FleetCenter (now TD Garden). The 1996 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, with the East defeating the West 129–118. Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was named the game's MVP. Los Angeles Clippers guard Brent Barry won the Slam Dunk Contest. Referees were locked out to begin the season, but reached an agreement to return to work in December 1995.Archives L. A. Times 1995-09-30 NBA Locks Out Refs After Pledge Rejected https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-30-sp-51685-story.html 2024-05-26 Los Angeles Times en-US Following the referee lockout, legendary official Jake O'Donnell retired after 27 seasons (1968–95). O'Donnell, who also was an American League umpire from 1968 to 1971, worked the NBA Finals for 23 consecutive years (1972 through 1994). He remains the only official to work all-star games in two major professional sports.Powell Shaun 1995-12-19 Jake O'Donnell Is Gone, NBA Era Goes With Him https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-19-sp-15619-story.html 2024-05-26 Los Angeles Times en-US Magic Johnson comes out of retirement to play in 32 games for Los Angeles before retiring again at the end of the season.2024-01-06 MAGIC NIXES RETURN TO LAKERS https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/07/19/magic-nixes-return-to-lakers/1486692f-74ca-4c1e-8e0b-a56bf7ec6a69/ 2024-05-26 Washington Post en-US 0190-8286 The Philadelphia 76ers play their final season at The Spectrum. At the time, it was named the CoreStates Spectrum; the CoreStates name was later added on their future home arena under construction at the time. The 76ers would return to the renamed Wachovia Spectrum for a farewell game in the 2008–09 season before its eventual demolition. Hakeem Olajuwon passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leader in blocked shots in the last game of the season. John Stockton also became the all-time steals and assists leader, passing Maurice Cheeks and Magic Johnson, respectively. Robert Parish also passed Abdul-Jabbar for the most games played in the NBA. Portland Trail Blazers' longest sellout streak by any team in professional sports ends at 814, during which the team played its first season at higher-capacity Rose Garden, now the Moda Center. The Sacramento Kings made their first playoff appearance since 1986. 1995–96 NBA changes The Atlanta Hawks changed their logo and uniforms, which featured the Hawks' logo on the front of the jerseys. The road jerseys were both red and black. The Boston Celtics moved into the FleetCenter. The Chicago Bulls got new black alternate uniforms with pinstripes. The Houston Rockets changed their logo and uniforms, adding pinstripes to their jerseys and navy to their color scheme. The Miami Heat added new red alternate uniforms. The Milwaukee Bucks added new green alternate uniforms. The New York Knicks added the "New York" script to their logo, and got new blue alternate uniforms, with black side panels on their jerseys. The Portland Trail Blazers moved into the Rose Garden. The Seattle SuperSonics changed their logo and uniforms, replacing their primary green and yellow colors with dark green and red with side panels on their jerseys. The expansion Toronto Raptors got a new logo and new pinstripe uniforms, adding purple and red to their color scheme. The expansion Vancouver Grizzlies got a new logo and new uniforms, adding teal and brown to their color scheme. Standings By division By conference Notes z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs y – Clinched division title x – Clinched playoff spot Playoffs 1996 NBA playoffs Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics. 1996 NBA playoffs Bracket yes no Statistics leaders + Category Player Team Stat Points per game Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls 30.4 Rebounds per game Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls 14.9 Assists per game John Stockton Utah Jazz 11.2 Steals per game Gary Payton Seattle SuperSonics 2.85 Blocks per game Dikembe Mutombo Denver Nuggets 4.49 FG% Gheorghe Mureșan Washington Bullets .584 FT% Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Denver Nuggets .930 3FG% Tim Legler Washington Bullets .522 NBA awards Yearly awards NBA Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls NBA Rookie of the Year: Damon Stoudamire, Toronto Raptors NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics Sixth Man of the Year: Toni Kukoč, Chicago Bulls NBA Most Improved Player: Gheorghe Mureșan, Washington Bullets NBA Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls 99% 33% All-NBA First Team: F – Karl Malone, Utah Jazz F – Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls C – David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs G – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls G – Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic 33% All-NBA Second Team: F – Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics F – Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons C – Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets G – Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics G – John Stockton, Utah Jazz 33% All-NBA Third Team: F – Charles Barkley, Phoenix Suns F – Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets C – Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic G – Mitch Richmond, Sacramento Kings G – Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers 66% 33% NBA All-Defensive First Team: F – Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls F – Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls C – David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs G – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls G – Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics 33% NBA All-Defensive Second Team: F – Horace Grant, Orlando Magic F – Derrick McKey, Indiana Pacers C – Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets G – Bobby Phills, Cleveland Cavaliers G – Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta Hawks 66% 33% NBA All-Rookie First Team: Damon Stoudamire, Toronto Raptors Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors Jerry Stackhouse, Philadelphia 76ers Antonio McDyess, Denver Nuggets Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers Michael Finley, Phoenix Suns 33% All-NBA Rookie Second Team: Rasheed Wallace, Washington Bullets Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves Bryant Reeves, Vancouver Grizzlies Brent Barry, Los Angeles Clippers Tyus Edney, Sacramento Kings Player of the week The following players were named NBA Player of the Week. WeekPlayerNov. 3 – Nov. 12Penny Hardaway (Orlando Magic)Nov. 13 – Nov. 19Cedric Ceballos (Los Angeles Lakers)Nov. 20 – Nov. 26Shawn Kemp (Seattle SuperSonics)Nov. 27 – Dec. 3Terrell Brandon (Cleveland Cavaliers)Dec. 4 – Dec. 10Dikembe Mutombo (Denver Nuggets)Dec. 11 – Dec. 17Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)Dec. 18 – Dec. 24Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)Dec. 25 – Dec. 30Karl Malone (Utah Jazz)Jan. 2 – Jan. 7Clifford R. Robinson (Portland Trail Blazers)Jan. 8 – Jan. 14David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs)Jan. 15 – Jan. 21Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)Jan. 22 – Jan. 28Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers)Jan. 29 – Feb. 4Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)Feb. 13 – Feb. 18Armen Gilliam (New Jersey Nets)Feb. 19 – Feb. 25Shawn Kemp (Seattle SuperSonics)Feb. 26 – Mar. 3 (tie)Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)Shaquille O'Neal (Orlando Magic)Mar. 4 – Mar. 10Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)Mar. 11 – Mar. 17Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons)Mar. 18 – Mar. 24Chris Gatling (Miami Heat)Mar. 25 – Mar. 31Arvydas Sabonis (Portland Trail Blazers)Apr. 1 – Apr. 7Kevin Johnson (Phoenix Suns) Player of the month The following players were named NBA Player of the Month. MonthPlayerNovemberPenny Hardaway (Orlando Magic)DecemberScottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)JanuaryMichael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)FebruaryCharles Barkley (Phoenix Suns)MarchDavid Robinson (San Antonio Spurs)AprilJuwan Howard (Washington Bullets) Rookie of the month The following players were named NBA Rookie of the Month. MonthRookieNovemberDamon Stoudamire (Toronto Raptors)DecemberJoe Smith (Golden State Warriors)JanuaryDamon Stoudamire (Toronto Raptors)FebruaryJoe Smith (Golden State Warriors)MarchJerry Stackhouse (Philadelphia 76ers)AprilArvydas Sabonis (Portland Trail Blazers) Coach of the month The following coaches were named NBA Coach of the Month. MonthCoachNovemberGarry St. Jean (Sacramento Kings)DecemberMike Fratello (Cleveland Cavaliers)JanuaryPhil Jackson (Chicago Bulls)FebruaryGeorge Karl (Seattle SuperSonics)MarchBob Hill (San Antonio Spurs)AprilPhil Jackson (Chicago Bulls) See also List of NBA regular season records References Category:1995–96 in Canadian basketball