This was one of the most memorable regular games ever. With the Bulls on a quest to win 70 games, the Pacers were peaking on their own and were becoming formidable rivals in the East. MJ was being 'criticized' from insulated sportswriters for not being as 'aerial' as he was before his retirement and you knew he was seething. While in public MJ was his usual politically correct self, in private, rumor had it that he was quietly angered.
Here, MJ's mind games were on full display. While telling Dr. J in the pregame interview that may have lost a step in athleticism, he immediately dominated the game with the very same athleticism he supposedly may have lost. As usual, the mental card was handed just to add the extra challenge MJ needed to fight the boredom of constant supremacy.
Of course, in this game, Pip would turn out to be a monster as well with 40 points. He attacked perfectly in conjunction with MJ's usual excellence. The loudness of the crowd gave it a playoff atmosphere and of course, MJ's aerial assault at age 33 reminded us all of his days before.
Негізгі бет Michael Jordan 1996: 44pts, Pippen 40pts Vs. Pacers
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