To understand the intensity of the Bulls’ Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Knicks in 1996, you have to travel back in time.
The Bulls eliminated the Knicks in the first round in 1991 en route to their first title, in the second round in 1992 en route to their second title and in the conference finals in 1993 en route to their third title. Then, the Knicks eliminated the Michael Jordan-less Bulls from the second round of the 1994 playoffs in a seven-game classic.
So yes, these teams didn’t like each other.
It didn’t matter that Pat Riley had taken his slicked-back hair and Armani wardrobe to Miami, replaced by his less-dapper assistant coach in Jeff Van Gundy.