CHICAGO — Bleacher Report ranked the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls the best sports team of all time.
The Bulls, led by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, went 72-10 during the 1995-96 regular season and beat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals.
The 2016-17 Golden State Warriors came in second place in Bleacher Report’s rankings. The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, went 67-15 during the 2016-17 regular season and defeated LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals.
Jordan Was Angry During The Summer Of 1995
Jordan didn’t take a summer break after the Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 1995 playoffs.
The Magic eliminated the Bulls on May 18, 1995.
Jordan was in the gym on May 19.
“After the season, usually there’s a time period where Michael takes some time off,” Jordan’s trainer Tim Grover said in The Last Dance documentary. “The night they lost to Orlando, I said, ‘Michael, I’m about to get out of here. Let me know when you want me to see you.’ He goes, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
“Michael had an obligation to himself, the fans, his teammates, the organization, his family, everybody. He said, ‘If you’re going to sit down and take three hours out of your day to watch me on TV, I have an obligation to give you my best. To give you my best all the time.’”
Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993 to play baseball. He returned to basketball near the end of the 1994-95 season but couldn’t lead the Bulls past the Magic.
In the summer of 1995, Jordan transformed his body from a baseball frame back to a basketball build and the rest is history.
Jordan And The Bulls Were Incredible In 1995-96
The 1995-96 season was a special campaign for Jordan and the Bulls. Chicago went 72-10 and Jordan won his fourth MVP and eighth scoring title.
MJ averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
The Bulls beat the Miami Heat in the first round and the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1996 playoffs, setting up a rematch with the Magic, this time in the conference finals.
Everyone in the sports world knew Jordan wanted to face Orlando again and MJ got his revenge.
The Bulls swept the Magic in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Jordan and Co. faced off against the SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals.
Chicago defeated Seattle in six games, with Jordan winning the Finals MVP award. He averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.2 blocks per game in the six-game series.
MJ Won 2 More Rings With The Bulls
Jordan led the Bulls to two more championships in 1997 and 1998 before retiring again.
He played two seasons with the Washington Wizards in 2001-02 and 2002-03 before retiring from the NBA for good.
Arguably the best player in NBA history, Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game with the Bulls and Wizards during his NBA career. He won five MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, six championships, six Finals MVPs, three steals titles and 10 scoring titles with Chicago.
Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and playoffs. He holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. Jordan went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice with the Bulls in the ’90s.
