Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: Calipari’s 1998 Nets Team That Almost Shocked the Bulls

By Jeremy Goldstein

24 Apr 1998: Head coach John Calipari of the New Jersey Nets talks with his guards Sam Cassell, Kendall Gill and forward Keigh Van Horne during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 96-93.
24 Apr 1998: Head coach John Calipari of the New Jersey Nets talks with his guards Sam Cassell, Kendall Gill and forward Keigh Van Horne during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 96-93. /
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CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (C) of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket past Kerry Kittles (L) and Jayson Williams (R) of the New Jersey Nets 24 April during the second half of their first round play-off game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls won the 96-93 in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the five game series. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (C) of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket past Kerry Kittles (L) and Jayson Williams (R) of the New Jersey Nets 24 April during the second half of their first round play-off game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls won the 96-93 in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the five game series. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

1998 Playoffs vs. Bulls: Game 1

When asked what it would take for the Nets to take a game off the Bulls, the always-confident Michael Jordan said: “we’d have to fall asleep.”

In the words of ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, “the Bulls opened the series sleepwalking.”

As long as Jordan was in the squad, even a half-asleep Bulls team would be nearly impossible to beat.

"“The triangle worked so well for the Chicago Bulls because it was really hard to double Michael out of it,” Van Horn said. “It doesn’t work for 98% of teams. Kerry got the nod to guard him.”"

The “what if” for the Nets will live on thanks to injuries to key starters. Cassell was hugely limited from a bad groin and back, playing only 16 minutes (the most of any game of the series). Jayson Williams was forced to play through a broken thumb BUT STILL managed 44 minutes. Van Horn was suffering from the flu at the time, and dehydration kept him sidelined after halftime.

Despite the rash of injuries, Kittles shooting 3-17 from the field, 30 team fouls, zero made three-pointers (0-6) AND a 10-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, the Nets miraculously managed to force overtime.

Chris Gatling, who the Chicago Tribune referred to as “an assassin in sheep’s clothing,” went for 13 of his 24 during the fourth-quarter surge. Williams outshone Rodman with 21 rebounds. Sherman Douglas had 16, but if he had 19, the story would be completely different.

Level with 43 seconds left in overtime, Jordan strips Gill, takes off down the famous United Center court, and posterizes him for an and-1 that would put the Bulls up three and foul-out Gill. But Douglas would get a look from 26 ft at the buzzer to tie. He missed. The Nets lost 96-93.

But hey, at least Jordan changed his tune about the Nets: “They came out and they played with a lot of heart.” **(quote at end of video)

“I think that’s the game we could have stole,” Cassell said.