The 1996 NBA Finals turned out to be an exciting battle between the top teams of each conference. However, it almost became a snoozefest after the Chicago Bulls raced to a 3-0 lead, a deficit no squad has overcome to this day. The Seattle SuperSonics, led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, tried to put up a fight, though.
After losing the first three meetings by an average margin of 14.3 points per game, including a 22-point drubbing by the Bulls in Game 3, the Sonics decided to finally show up in the fourth contest. Maybe Kemp’s interesting rallying call had his teammates fired up.
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“I told the guys, ‘Sometimes you only get one shot at this. Even if we’re down 3-0, I’m still going to put the steak knife in them,'” Kemp said of Seattle facing an impossible task.
Remembering Shawn in his heyday
First of all, the six-time All-Star’s choice of words is fascinating, only because he has become infamous for giving up on maintaining his previously otherworldly physique not long after the Sonics traded him in 1997.
“The Reign Man” showed up to training camp for the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, reportedly weighing 315 pounds. Kemp once reasoned that he didn’t think the league would return to play at the time. However, he was unable to return to his peak form, eventually retiring unceremoniously in 2003.
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Some people would rather remember the retired forward in his prime when watching him put defenders on brutal posters was the norm.
In 1996, though, “The Reign Man” proved that he was more than just a Herculean specimen, helping Seattle reach the championship round, a route that included the team defeating the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz, which featured the legendary duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton. That season also saw Shawn secure a third consecutive All-NBA Second-Team selection.
Struggling against the Bulls
Unfortunately for the Sonics organization and its fans, the then-Western Conference champ stayed in first gear in the first half of the title bout.
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Kemp tried his best to help Seattle steal a win in Chicago’s home court in the first two games, averaging 30.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per contest. However, Michael Jordan proved to be unstoppable without the injured Gary Payton guarding him.
The third meeting saw frustrations mount for the hapless Sonics squad, culminating in one of its big men, Frank Brickowski, getting ejected for a retaliatory flagrant foul on Dennis Rodman.
Wanting to avoid a sweep, Seattle shifted gears in Game 4, with coach George Karl finally tasking Payton to defend Jordan. The return of captain Nate McMillan also sparked the squad, resulting in a dominant 107-86 victory at home.
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The Sonics once again delayed the inevitable by putting on their best defensive showing in the series in the following game. They held the Bulls to below 80 points for the first time in the championship round, and Kemp provided a much-needed offensive spark with 22 points.
Sadly for the star forward and his teammates, it was a little too late for them. Chicago took care of business at home, winning Game 6 with a score of 87-75. Kemp’s words proved to be prophetic, as Shawn showed that he wouldn’t go down without a fight, and that it turned out to be the Sonics squad’s only shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy.