![]() ![]() It was the perfect counter to opposing squads putting all their defensive focus on Michael Jordan. The triangle put an emphasis on a team’s spacing and reaction to what the defense was giving them. The offense was designed and built around the concept of involving every player in every play. Phil Jackson implemented the “triangle offense” into the Chicago’s play calling as soon as he was named their coach. When Phil Jackson became Chicago’s head coach in 1989-he quickly helped to change the public’s perception of the type of player MJ was capable of being. The common criticism Jordan faced was that he was too enamored with winning scoring titles to put the Bulls above his own accomplishments. ![]() The Hall of Fame duo was widely viewed as unselfish individuals who put the team above their personal statistics. They both were looked at as leaders and were often compared to Jordan when he was still a player on the rise. They were thought of as players who made the ones around them better. But, could Jordan pass that determination he possessed to his teammates? The Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson and the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird were winning multiple rings before Jordan ever won his first. Nobody ever doubted Jordan’s individual talent. That chemistry and commitment can largely be attributed to Jordan’s greatness and unselfishness.īefore Jordan won his first ring in 1991 many questioned whether he could make his teammates better. The strength of the Bulls was their chemistry and commitment to winning. There have been more imposing teams in history when you judge them simply by names on a roster. Besides Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman-the Bulls roster that 95-96 season was far from impressive. The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls had the greatest player of all-time on their side, Michael Jordan. However, the Warriors couldn’t bring home the championship that season, unlike the Bulls. The Golden State Warriors would break that record when they won 73 games during the 2015-2016 season. ![]() Michael Jordan and his teammates were able to amass an amazing 72 wins and 10 loses during the 95-96 campaign. Chicago ultimately won the title in 1996 and cemented their legacy as one of the greatest teams ever. Record vs.The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls were nearly unbeatable during the regular season and continued their dominance throughout the playoffs. This season was the first of three consecutive NBA titles for the Bulls, as well as marking the beginning of the legendary Bulls dynasty, which would net the team another five more championships over the next seven seasons. Īfter losing Game 1 at home, 93–91 to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bulls would win the 1991 NBA Finals in five games, winning their first ever championship in franchise history. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they swept the defending champion Detroit Pistons in four straight games, and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time. ![]() Then in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated Charles Barkley and the 5th-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in five games. In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New York Knicks in three straight games. Three-point specialist Craig Hodges won the Three-Point Shootout for the second consecutive year during the All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, and head coach Phil Jackson finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. Scottie Pippen averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Horace Grant provided the team with 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Bill Cartwright contributed 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Michael Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game, and won another scoring title and his second Most Valuable Player award, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and was selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time, the Bulls had the best team offensive rating and the seventh best team defensive rating in the NBA. The Bulls finished in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 61–21 record, surpassing their previous franchise-best from the 1971–72 season. The Bulls overcame a slow start, losing their first three games of the season, as they later on went on an 11-game winning streak between February and March, held a 32–14 record at the All-Star break, then posted a nine-game winning streak also in March. During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Dennis Hopson from the New Jersey Nets, and signed free agent Cliff Levingston. The 1990–91 NBA season was the Bulls' 25th season in the National Basketball Association. ( Jim Durham, Johnny "Red" Kerr, John Rooney, Tom Boerwinkle) ![]()
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