1995-96 Chicago Bulls: Unstop-A-Bulls Part 1/4

After hearing for an entire offseason that he wasn't quite the same player as he had been when he abruptly retired in 1993, Michael Jordan was driven to lead the Bulls to the NBA championship for the fourth time in six years. His supporting cast included Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, acquired in a preseason trade. Though a talented collection of players, no one could have predicted what the team would accomplish.

After losing to Seattle to fall to 10-2 in late November, the team won 31 of its next 32 games, including 14 during an undefeated January. Although they lost back-to-back games at Denver and Phoenix to avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to play an entire season without consecutive losses, their failures were few and far between.

They were nearly invincible at home, going 37-0 (extending their home winning streak to 44) before losing to the Charlotte Hornets on April 8. At Milwaukee, on April 16, they achieved what many experts never thought possible - 70 wins - with a 86-80 decision over the Bucks. They finished 72-10, breaking the 69-13 record of the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers. Only the Indiana Pacers were able to beat the Bulls twice.

In doing so, the Bulls won many of the postseason awards: Jordan was named the league's Most Valuable Player and was the All-Star Game MVP. He led the league in scoring (30.4 ppg) ranked third in steals (2.20 spg), and 11th in three-point field-goal percentage. Pippen, long regarded as perhaps the best all-around player in the NBA, averaged 19.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 5.9 apg, and finished 12th in the NBA in steals.

Rodman, who added an element of intrigue with his unique antics and unparalled rebounding ability, led the league in rebounds (14.9 rpg). Rodman, Jordan and Pippen were all named to the league's All-Defensive Team. Toni Kukoc won the NBA Sixth Man Award, and the supporting cast included Steve Kerr (second in three-point field goal percentage), Luc Longley (9.1 ppg) and Ron Harper (7.4 ppg).

In the playoffs, the Bulls kept rolling, losing only one playoff game in series wins over Miami, New York and Orlando. In the Finals, the Bulls beat the Sonics in six games, finishing with a postseason record of 15-3, and an overall record of 87-13, the best in NBA history. Jordan was named the Finals MVP for the fourth time as he cemented his legend in the Windy City and in NBA annals.

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[mrmarshmellowman2]

Mj is the GOAT

[BigD1987]

@tribalfish Forget miami! The real Big Three are Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. Those heat fans just have their heads inflated.

[edrock78]

Greatest team ever

[pwnmasteh]

Thanks for putting this up. I had this on VHS back when they won it and sadly it doesn't work anymore.  It was awesome to watch this again.

[Tellytatter]

@leadiceman22 Lol watch MJ's induction, he talks about Pippen.

[Tellytatter]

@leadiceman22 You're saying Toni was the reason they won 5 championships? Sorry dude, he was averaging 10-15 points at best. And MAYBE 5 rebounds, thats not something that results in five rings, and don't say hes underrated. Stats are stats. The numbers don't lie.

[MrLedzeppelinfan33]

@BigD1987 this was the greatest single season team of all time ! ! !

the 1996 bulls was absolute the greatest ever ! ! !

pure greatness in every way ! ! !

[1103bullsnation]

The 1995 Chicago Bulls in the playoffs were not championship material. The fact was they lost Horace Grant to Free Agency (sign to Orlando) Cartwright retired. Jordan was not the same player yet and it showed in the 1995 ECSF series against the magic.

[paul941]

09:18 to me was the universal reaction of all opponents of this team. You have hated their guts but you had to respect and show respect to the 1995-1996 Bulls

[DrHypeBeast]

They should not even display MJ's name when he talks. YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW WHO HE IS.

[malaka201]

@11:34

Sick move by Pippen , going at about 40mph that takes skills.