The year 1996 consisted of Sports Championship winners Chicago Bulls (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Dallas Cowboys (NFL), DC United (MLS), New York Yankees (MLB)
HIGHLIGHTS
The
1996 NBA championship final series between the
Chicago Bulls and the
Seattle SuperSonics was a classic battle between two of the best teams in the league. The Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, were the defending champions and looking to win their fourth title in six years. The SuperSonics, led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, were looking to win their first championship in franchise history. After a tight series, the Bulls emerged victorious in six games, with Jordan averaging 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game on his way to winning his fourth Finals MVP award. The Bulls' championship win marked the beginning of their second three-peat, cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in
NBA history.
The
1996 Stanley Cup Finals featured a matchup between the
Florida Panthers and the
Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche, in their first season since relocating from
Quebec, were led by the legendary Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy. The Panthers, in their third season of existence, were led by a young core of talent, including future Hall of Famers, Pavel Bure and Scott Mellanby. The Avalanche took the series in four games, outscoring the Panthers 20-9. Sakic was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. The Avalanche's victory marked the first Stanley Cup win for the franchise since moving from
Quebec. The Panthers, meanwhile, have yet to win a Stanley Cup in their franchise history.
The
1996 NFL Super Bowl was an epic battle between the
Dallas Cowboys and the
Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys, led by star quarterback Troy Aikman and running back Emmitt Smith, were the defending champions and were looking to become the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years. The Steelers, under head coach Bill Cowher, were looking to win their first Super Bowl since
1979. The Cowboys won the game 27-17, with Smith rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Aikman had a solid performance, throwing for 209 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers were able to keep the game close, but the Cowboys defense was too strong, forcing four turnovers and limiting the Steelers to just one touchdown.
The
1996 World Series between the
New York Yankees and
Atlanta Braves was a classic. The series went the full seven games, with the Yankees ultimately prevailing. In Game 1, the Braves' starting pitcher Greg Maddux shut down the Yankees, leading the Braves to a 1-0 victory. The Yankees responded in Game 2, winning 5-2 and evening the series at 1-1. The Braves then won Games 3 and 4, before the Yankees won Games 5 and 6 to force a decisive Game 7. In the final game, the Yankees' starter Andy Pettitte pitched a complete game, allowing only one run as the Yankees won the game and the series by a score of 3-2.
The
1996 World Series between the
New York Yankees and
Atlanta Braves was a classic. The series went the full seven games, with the Yankees ultimately prevailing. In Game 1, the Braves' starting pitcher Greg Maddux shut down the Yankees, leading the Braves to a 1-0 victory. The Yankees responded in Game 2, winning 5-2 and evening the series at 1-1. The Braves then won Games 3 and 4, before the Yankees won Games 5 and 6 to force a decisive Game 7. In the final game, the Yankees' starter Andy Pettitte pitched a complete game, allowing only one run as the Yankees won the game and the series by a score of 3-2.