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Phil Jackson details the importance of the Bulls' acquisition of Luc Longley - "We wanted to hold Shaq back"
The Chicago Bulls' desire to extend their form after their first three-peat in the 90s didn't turn out to be a success, not only because of the New York Knicks but also because of Shaquille O'Neal.
The midseason of 1994-95 marked the glamorous return of Michael Jordan from his hiatus, and this remarkable basketball comeback he made instantly propelled the Bulls as a title contender. But their hopes of reclaiming their lost glory were pounded to dust by Shaq, who led his promising Orlando Magic squad in winning their second-round playoff series in a spectacular fashion.
Chicago hit a massive roadblock with O'Neal and the Magic; they were a huge threat in the Eastern Conference. But eventually, the Bulls found a relieving solution to counter the Orlando superstar by acquiring and utilizing Luc Longley.
Bulls' enforcer vs. Shaq
A rotational big man for the middling Minnesota Timberwolves, Longley was obtained by the Bulls in a mid-season trade during 1993-94. Luc served mostly as a backup for the team in his first two seasons until he was promoted to a starter in 1995-96, and the rest was just history.
The gentle Australian big man emerged as an important piece in the Bulls’ second three-peat run. And for Phil Jackson, he was truly instrumental in their hopes of matching up against the might of Big Diesel.
"We watched him through his rookie season with the idea in mind that Shaquille O'Neal had just come into the NBA a couple of years earlier," Jackson said. "And at 320 pounds, he was just crushing people and knocking them back in the lane to shoot a little six-foot jump hook. And we were trying to compete with them at that time. Luc was a guy that showed no fear, played the game physically enough, and we wanted to hold Shaq back so he couldn't get close to the basket.”
The X-factor of the Bulls' second three-peat
Both Longley and O'Neal were initially tangled up in the 1995 Playoffs. Though the Magic have indeed won the series over the Bulls, Shaq was contained by Longley to 24.3 points average in 48.3 percent shooting.
And the following season, in which the Bulls ran it back with a 72-10 campaign, big men met again at the Conference Finals. While Shaq feasted in their center matchup with 27.0 points in a 64 percent shooting mark.
Luc still gained the last laugh as his 7.5 points and reliable production on both ends have greatly contributed to Chicago's four-game sweep triumph to avenge their last year's elimination.
More than being their starting center, Luc was a special one in Chicago's dynastic rally. And if it wasn't for his imposing presence, they might have had a difficult time overcoming the dominance of Shaq.
