{"id":16619,"date":"2018-12-28T06:39:49","date_gmt":"2018-12-28T12:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=16619"},"modified":"2018-12-28T06:39:49","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T12:39:49","slug":"the-last-dance-chronicles-michael-jordan-and-the-90s-chicago-bulls-storied-influence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=16619","title":{"rendered":"The Last Dance\u2019 Chronicles Michael Jordan And The 90s Chicago Bulls\u2019 Storied Influence"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"trb_ar_hl\">\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-16654\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Jordan-Cry-300x190.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Jordan-Cry-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Jordan-Cry-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Jordan-Cry.jpg 978w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The <a title=\"1990\u201391 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1990%E2%80%9391_NBA_season\">1990\u201391 NBA season<\/a> was the Bulls&#8217; 25th season in the <a title=\"National Basketball Association\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Basketball_Association\">National Basketball Association<\/a>.\u00a0 The Bulls finished in first place in the Central Division, as well as first overall in the Eastern Conference with a 61\u201321 record, surpassing their previous franchise-best from the <a title=\"1971\u201372 Chicago Bulls season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1971%E2%80%9372_Chicago_Bulls_season\">1971\u201372 season<\/a>. <a title=\"Michael Jordan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michael_Jordan\">Michael Jordan<\/a> won another scoring title and his second MVP award, while being selected for the <a title=\"1991 NBA All-Star Game\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1991_NBA_All-Star_Game\">1991 NBA All-Star Game<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In the first round of the <a title=\"1991 NBA Playoffs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1991_NBA_Playoffs\">playoffs<\/a>, the Bulls swept the <a title=\"1990\u201391 New York Knicks season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1990%E2%80%9391_New_York_Knicks_season\">New York Knicks<\/a> in three straight games. Then in the semifinals, they defeated the 5th-seeded <a title=\"1990\u201391 Philadelphia 76ers season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1990%E2%80%9391_Philadelphia_76ers_season\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> in five games. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they swept the defending champion <a title=\"1990\u201391 Detroit Pistons season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1990%E2%80%9391_Detroit_Pistons_season\">Detroit Pistons<\/a> in four straight games, and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time. The Bulls would go on to beat the <a title=\"1990\u201391 Los Angeles Lakers season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1990%E2%80%9391_Los_Angeles_Lakers_season\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> in the <a title=\"1991 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1991_NBA_Finals\">1991 NBA Finals<\/a> in five games, winning their first ever championship in franchise history.<sup id=\"cite_ref-2\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> 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 throughout the 1990s.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ProfileHeaderCard-screenname u-inlineBlock u-dir\" dir=\"ltr\"><a class=\"ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jumpman23\"> <span class=\"username u-dir\" dir=\"ltr\">@<b class=\"u-linkComplex-target\">Jumpman23<\/b><\/span> <\/a><\/h2>\n<h1 class=\"trb_ar_hl_t\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-16655\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CB.jpg 200w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/CB-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>There are 10 takeaways from &#8216;The Last Dance&#8217; teaser, ESPN&#8217;s docu-series on Michael Jordan&#8217;s final championship run with the Bulls<\/h1>\n<div class=\"trb_ar_main\">\n<div class=\"trb_ar_bd\">\n<div class=\"trb_ar_page\" data-role=\"pagination_page\" data-content-page=\"1\">\n<p><strong><a id=\"HOC792\" title=\"ESPN\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/espn-HOC792-topic.html\">ESPN<\/a> on Christmas dropped a 60-second teaser for \u201cThe Last Dance,\u201d a 10-part documentary focusing on super-competitive competitor <a id=\"PESPT008489\" title=\"Michael Jordan\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/michael-jordan-PESPT008489-topic.html\">Michael Jordan<\/a>\u2019s final championship season with the <a id=\"ORSPT000164\" title=\"Chicago Bulls\" href=\"http:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/sports\/basketball\/bulls\/\">Bulls<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-16656\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/JORDAN-MAGIC-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/JORDAN-MAGIC-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/JORDAN-MAGIC.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The docu-series, which isn\u2019t scheduled to debut until the summer of 2020 on ESPN and fall of that year on <a id=\"ORCRP010656\" title=\"Netflix\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/business\/media-industry\/netflix-ORCRP010656-topic.html\">Netflix<\/a>, is directed by Jason Hehir, whose work includes \u201cThe \u201985 <a id=\"ORSPT000036\" title=\"Chicago Bears\" href=\"http:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/sports\/football\/bears\/\">Bears<\/a>\u201d for ESPN\u2019s \u201c30 for 30\u201d series and \u201cAndre the Giant\u201d for HBO.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The mid-1990s Bulls were a cultural phenomenon, and the 1997-98 season completed their second three-peat, their sixth championship in eight seasons and sixth straight in seasons unaffected by Jordan\u2019s bid to compete in baseball.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThe Last Dance\u201d looks to focus on the \u201997-98 season as well as events leading to the scattering afterward of the team\u2019s core \u2014 Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and coach <a id=\"PEHST001003\" title=\"Phil Jackson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/phil-jackson-PEHST001003-topic.html\">Phil Jackson<\/a>, all Hall of Famers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"trb_ar_sponsoredmod\" data-v-ntidd=\"1069769\" data-adloader-networktype=\"nativo\" data-withinviewport-options=\"bottomOffset=100\" data-load-method=\"trb.vendor.nativo.init\" data-load-type=\"method\">\n<div class=\"trb_ar_nt\"><strong>Here are 10 Jordan and company take aways from the promo:<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong>1. The famously competitive Jordan cops to being competitive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI am cursed with a mentality of competitiveness,\u201d Jordan says.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In case you missed that, <a id=\"PESPT003543\" title=\"Mark Jackson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/mark-jackson-PESPT003543-topic.html\">Jackson<\/a> adds, \u201cCompetition was an addiction.\u201d But it\u2019s not clear if he\u2019s speaking specifically about Jordan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. That competitive drive sometimes may have made Jordan a pain to be around.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI\u2019m going to ridicule you until you get on the same level as me,\u201d Jordan says in a sound bite presented without context.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan, however, leaves no doubt what he\u2019s talking about when he says, \u201cMy mentality was to go out there and win, at any cost.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Did we mention Jordan could be competitive? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>There\u2019s a clip of him throwing a ball off the head of <a id=\"ORSPT000102\" title=\"Indiana Pacers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/indiana-pacers-ORSPT000102-topic.html\">Pacers<\/a> guard Mark Jackson, now an ESPN game analyst.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It is from a game at the United Center in April \u201998 in which the Pacers effectively double-teamed Jordan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan had driven to the hoop after a steal, and Jackson fouled him hard. Jordan was called for a technical foul after nailing Jackson in the back of the head in response.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Not only did Jordan lose his cool, the Bulls lost that game 114-105.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. There are other examples of frustration being vented. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jackson can be seen slamming a door. Another clip shows Jordan kicking what appears to be an empty Miller Lite box.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Budweiser makes an appearance too.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThat\u2019s waterproof color, right there,\u201d Jordan says as he pours champagne on Rodman\u2019s hair, dyed a mottled green and black, as others laugh. \u201cThat\u2019s waterproof!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Someone between Rodman and the camera is seen adding a can of Bud to the celebratory rinse job.<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"trb_em trb_embed\" data-content-pgcredit=\"\" data-content-id=\"53105116\" data-content-size=\"large\" data-content-type=\"gallery\" data-content-slug=\"chi-scottie-pippen-pictures\" data-content-subtype=\"photogallery\" data-carousel-options=\"outer&amp;transform&amp;removePagesOnClose\" data-role=\"carousel carousel_swipe lightbox_container imgsize_ratiosizecontainer\" data-content-key=\"b706af162bc8e5bf205bd62a0ae34c71\">\n<div class=\"trb_em_m\" data-role=\"carousel_view\">\n<aside class=\"trb_em trb_embed trb_em_th\" data-content-pgcredit=\"\" data-content-id=\"53105116\" data-content-size=\"large\" data-content-type=\"image\" data-content-subtype=\"photo\">\n<figure class=\"trb_em_ic_figure\" data-role=\"lightbox_open imgsize_item\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trb_em_ic_img\" title=\"Scottie Pippen through the years\" src=\"http:\/\/www.trbimg.com\/img-5bce1558\/turbine\/chi-scottie-pippen-pictures\/750\/750x422\" alt=\"Scottie Pippen through the years\" data-baseurl=\"http:\/\/www.trbimg.com\/img-5bce1558\/turbine\/chi-scottie-pippen-pictures\" data-c-nd=\"2048x1365\" \/><\/strong><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong>6. The film crew\u2019s unprecedented access 20-plus years ago is touted.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan \u2014 who\u2019s competitive, remember \u2014 is shown playing cards on the team plane with <a id=\"PESPT002989\" title=\"Ron Harper\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/ron-harper-PESPT002989-topic.html\">Ron Harper<\/a> seated across the table, beer in hand.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. There are shots of an <a id=\"15008001\" title=\"NBA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/nba-15008001-topic.html\">NBA<\/a> film library that evokes the warehouse scene at the end of \u201cRaiders of the Lost Ark.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Labels on archival film canisters include \u201cMJ with Press,\u201d \u201cBulls Closed Practice,\u201d \u201c5-31-98 Pacers Gm. 7\u201d and something with the notation \u201cDo Not Release.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Rodman could be disruptive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan recalls Rodman disappearing: \u201cWe don\u2019t see or hear Dennis for 48 hours.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cNo matter what we did, it seemed like he was the story,\u201d says teammate Steve Kerr \u2014 wearing a T-shirt of the Warriors, the team he coached to three NBA titles in the last four seasons \u2014 presumably referring to Rodman.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Pippen\u2019s complicated relationships with teammates and role with the team are explored too.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Rodman, a former member of the \u201cBad Boy\u201d <a id=\"ORSPT000099\" title=\"Detroit Pistons\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/topic\/sports\/basketball\/detroit-pistons-ORSPT000099-topic.html\">Pistons<\/a> that bedeviled the Bulls earlier in the decade, says he \u201cnever hated\u201d Pippen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s left to the imagination what Jordan is referring to when he says, \u201cScottie was being selfish.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pippen, likely referring to Jordan, says, \u201cIt was his team.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Absent context, however, it\u2019s also possible Pippen meant Jackson, Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf or someone else.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For all we know, Pippen could be talking about 1994, when Jordan was playing baseball, and referring to Toni Kukoc in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-16657\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Michael-Jordan-Tongue-300x188.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Michael-Jordan-Tongue-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Michael-Jordan-Tongue-400x250.jpg 400w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Michael-Jordan-Tongue.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>While Pippen was the putative leader of that Bulls team, he infamously refused to take the court when Jackson assigned Kukoc to take what proved to be the game-winning shot.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>10a. For all the quick cuts, random quotes and vaguely haunting musical strains, at the heart of this promo is a quote from Pippen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe were the greatest team ever,\u201d Pippen says.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>10b. Oh, and also the fact Jordan\u2019s competitive nature drove the team.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cOur biggest challenge is us,\u201d Jordan says in a postgame interview clip.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-16658\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls-300x180.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls-627x376.jpg 627w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls-440x264.jpg 440w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/mj-bulls.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>&#8220;The top 20 moments of the Chicago Bulls historic 1990-91 season that culminated in the franchises first NBA Championship<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moscone-flipped-container moscone-flipped-column-content clearfix\">\n<div class=\"moscone-flipped-column-content-region moscone-flipped-content panel-panel\">\n<div id=\"moscone-flipped-content-inner\" class=\"moscone-flipped-column-content-region-inner moscone-flipped-content-inner panel-panel-inner\">\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-body\">\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\">\n<h3>1. Jordan&#8217;s switch hands layup (Game 2 of NBA Finals versus Lakers)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>It was an iconic moment, even if it didn&#8217;t carry in game significance. The Bulls had the so-called must win Game 2 well in control with a 19-point lead after three. Early in the fourth quarter, Michael Jordan took off down the right side after an A.C. Green miss and was driving in for a right handed slam dunk. Sam Perkins appeared and went up, causing Jordan to hesitate-in the air-and actually switch the ball into his left hand as Perkins went by to lay the ball in. Bulls coach Phil Jackson said he&#8217;d never seen anyone do anything like it before. The Bulls easily won the game, but, significantly, Chicago sent a message to the Lakers in evening the series at 1-1 that you&#8217;ll see things you&#8217;ve never seen before from this Bulls team. Jordan would go on to be regular season and Finals MVP, all-defensive first team and win his fifth straight scoring title in his run to seven until leaving the game for the first time in 1993.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-node-links link-wrapper\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"trb_ar\">\n<div class=\"trb_ar_main\">\n<div class=\"trb_taboola trb_ar_taboola\" data-load-method=\"trb.vendor.taboola.init\" data-load-type=\"method\" data-vendor-taboolacontenttype=\"article\" data-vendor-taboolarows=\"2\" data-vendor-rightrail=\"true\">\n<div id=\"trb_taboola_widget_1\" class=\" trc_related_container trc_spotlight_widget render-late-effect tbl-feed-container tbl-feed-full-width \" data-feed-container-num=\"1\" data-feed-main-container-id=\"trb_taboola_widget_1\" data-parent-placement-name=\"below-article-thumbs\" data-pub-lang=\"en\">\n<div id=\"trb_taboola_widget_1-pl9\" data-card-index=\"9\" data-batch-num=\"2\">\n<div id=\"newsletterCardContainer\">\n<div id=\"newsletterCardContent\">\n<form id=\"nlr-subscribe\" data-id=\"1a79961b-e2e4-4b89-ad70-bf25a8f01cfa\" data-esp=\"ep\" data-affiliate=\"2089072587\" data-bgcolor=\"#FF5443\" data-txtcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-source=\"Taboola\">\n<h3><strong>2. Finally shedding the monkey on their backs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>That was Feb. 7, 1991 when the Bulls finally won in Detroit, the first win in Detroit in three years. The Bulls were 3-23 in Detroit in the regular season the previous decade and lost their last six playoff games there. They would be 2-13 since the Pistons moved to Auburn Hills going into the conference finals. The Bulls were developing a mental block, especially after a blowout loss in Detroit Dec. 19 of that season when the Bulls fell to a mediocre 15-9 and Scottie Pippen shot two of 16. But Jordan scored the last 10 Bulls&#8217; points in the final 2:13 and B.J. Armstrong was three of three down the stretch as the Bulls got the multiple contributions they&#8217;d been missing in Auburn Hills.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. &#8216;My supporting cast&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>It was the much anticipated Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Bulls finally had home court advantage on the Pistons, but they had to win their home games. The Bulls went up a dozen, but just before the end of the third quarter the Pistons took a one-point lead. Here we go again? Jackson regularly rested Jordan and Pippen to open the fourth quarter against Detroit, and he did so again. A group including Will Perdue, Armstrong, Craig Hodges and Cliff Levingston turned a three-point Bulls lead into an 81-72 margin when Jordan and Pippen returned. Jordan never could get it going with six of 15 shooting and six turnovers. But the Bulls won by 11 and Jordan credited &#8220;my supporting cast,&#8221; after the game as the phrase became part of the lexicon, but more a realization by Jordan that he didn&#8217;t have to do it alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Who&#8217;s open!<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls had it in their grasp with a 3-1 lead in the Finals, but it was slipping away. Jordan had greeted the team on the bus in the morning with, &#8220;Good morning, World Champions.&#8221; But he was overcompensating and doing most of the shooting. The Bulls were losing traction and the Lakers took a 91-90 lead with just under seven minutes left in Game 5. In a time out, Jackson demanded of Jordan, &#8220;Who&#8217;s open!&#8221; Jordan finally acknowledged, &#8220;Paxson,&#8221; as the Lakers were blitzing Jordan every time. &#8220;Find him,&#8221; Jackson instructed. The Lakers went up by three, but Paxson scored 10 points in the last four minutes and the Bulls pulled away to a 108-101 victory and their first championship.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. The biggest &#8220;what if&#8221; of the Finals<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls had tied the series 1-1, but were going back to L.A. for three games. The Lakers led Game 3 with 10.9 seconds left 92-90. The Bulls had the ball. If the Lakers took a 2-1 lead the series might not even return to Chicago with three games in L.A. Jackson called timeout, but chose not to advance the ball, instead allowing Jordan to dribble up and survey the defense. Jordan went at Byron Scott. Vlade Divac was late with a double team and Jordan hit a 14-footer for the tie and the Bulls won by eight in overtime.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Don&#8217;t mess with Bad Bad LeRoy Brown-or Jordan-Part II<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls were stumbling through an uneven start at 14-8. The Trail Blazers, who easily beat the Bulls both times that season, started 19-1 and everyone pretty much conceded them the title already. They&#8217;d be upset by the Lakers in the conference finals. A weak Miami team was hanging on down one in Chicago late in the game. Jordan wasn&#8217;t feeling well with the flu. Rookie Willie Burton blocked a Jordan shot and began taunting Jordan. Sophomore Glen Rice chimed in. Jordan had two steals and a block in the next three Miami possessions, all leading to Bulls fast break scores and the Bulls pulled away for a nine-point win with Jordan scoring 39. Coach Ron Rothstein told Burton and Rice never again to speak to Jordan in games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>7. A sign of things to come<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls hosted the aging Lakers just before Christmas and the Lakers were no match for the quickness and speed of Jordan, Pippen and Horace Grant. They outraced James Worthy and Sam Perkins as Jordan (33\/15\/9) and Pippen (28\/11\/9) each came within one assist of triple-doubles in a 114-103 win. Even with that and home court advantage, the Bulls were considered big underdogs to the Lakers in the Finals and the vast majority of media &#8220;experts&#8221; predicted an easy Lakers&#8217; victory.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>8. Scottie breaks out<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls were the league&#8217;s hottest team after the All-Star break and that win in Detroit with a run of 20 of 21 between Feb. 4 and March 20. The Bulls went 29-7 after the break. Against Charlotte at home Feb. 23 in the midst of an 11-game winning streak, Pippen shot 16 of 17, the best shooting performance in the NBA that season for as many attempts and scored a career-high 43 points. He also became the first player to score 40 points playing with Jordan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>9. Bulls shut Reggie up<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls had lost in Indiana earlier in March when Reggie Miller scored 40 and declared afterward the Bulls were nothing without Jordan and the Pacers were just as good. Jordan scored 39 and the Bulls won by 14 for their record 26th straight home win. The Pacers unraveled as Detlef Schrempf and Chuck Person were ejected, the latter for drop kicking the basketball 30 rows up into the stands.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>10. The ancient king is dead<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls lost this one, probably the season&#8217;s best theater as Jordan and a momentarily rejuvenated Larry Bird dueled in a double overtime 135-132 Boston win March 31 in Boston. Jordan had 37 and Bird 34. Jordan seemed to have won it at the end of the first overtime with a jumper that was fraction late. But the Bulls had beaten the Celtics by 30 at the end of February at home. The Celtics would finish with the second best record in the East, but were no match for the Bulls youth and quickness, being dominated in Chicago and having to get a miracle from Bird to win in two overtimes at home.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>11. Bye, bye Patrick<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls had an easy time of it in the opening playoff round with the dysfunctional Knicks, who were soon to be taken over by Pat Riley, which would begin the great rivalry of the &#8217;90s. The Bulls won the first two easily at home and when Jordan and Pippen dunked consecutively over Ewing after halftime in Game 3 and the Bulls eventually pulled away.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>12. The big three<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Much had been made of the Bulls being Michael and the Jordanaires. But Pippen and Grant were growing into their roles and refusing to fold in the face of the physical play teams used to disrupt the Bulls. After taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern semifinals, the Bulls lost Game 3 in Philadelphia. But Jordan scored 25, Grant 22 and Pippen 20 as the Bulls dominated Game 4 and took control of the series. Pippen continued to show his growth with 24 first half points in Game 5, and Jordan would then close the series with Game 5 back home with the Bulls last 12 points in continuing to establish himself as the game&#8217;s best closer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>13. The block<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>It was likely the play of the Eastern Conference finals, the defensive version of Jordan&#8217;s switch hands layup, but more significant. The Pistons were battling desperately to stay alive in Game 3 after losing the first two in Chicago. After leading by 16 in the third quarter, the Bulls led by five with two and a half minutes left when Mark Aguirre stole the ball from Pippen and passed ahead to a breaking Vinnie Johnson. Jordan took off in pursuit and was gaining fast on Johnson, who saw Jordan and dropped the ball off to Joe Dumars. Jordan recovered and forced Dumars into a bad, contested miss. Pippen then followed with a jumper to reclaim a seven-point lead with two minutes left and the game was saved. Jackson called it one of the best defensive plays ever.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>14. Revenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>That was between Games 3 and 4 of the conference finals with the Bulls ahead 3-0 and the stake deep in the heart of the Pistons. It had been a humiliating and frustrating three years for the Bulls with three straight playoff eliminations marked by rough and what the Bulls felt was dirty play by the &#8220;Bad Boys&#8221; Pistons. In remarks to media before the inevitable sweep in Game 4, Jordan labeled the Pistons dirty, unsportsmanlike and bad for basketball. He said the Celtics, in contrast, were worthy champions. It was headlines in the Detroit media the next day before Game 4 and was what led to the Pistons walkout before Game 4 was over.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>15. Pippen turns the other cheek<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In the Pistons&#8217; fitting final insult, Dennis Rodman threw Pippen into the stands in the second quarter of Game 4 with the Bulls pulling away. Pippen suffered a severe gash that needed six stitches to close. But there would be no retaliation but free throws made. After leaving clinching games against the Pistons with a migraine headache and a blow from Bill Laimbeer, Pippen stood tall and composed. Pippen had 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Bulls closed out the Pistons run with a 21-point blowout victory and the Pistons demonstrating the unsportsmanlike ways Jordan described.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>16. The switch-Scottie on Magic<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Phil Jackson likes to hold back something for a playoff series, and decided to give Scottie Pippen with his long arms a try defending Magic Johnson. Johnson had become virtually impossible to defend as a point guard because he was taller than every point guard and quicker than forwards. But Pippen and his long arms and quickness matched Johnson. Jackson would often put Jordan or Pippen on an opposing point in the playoffs who ran the team, like Mark Price, Kevin Johnson and Mark Jackson. But no one thought anyone could handle Johnson. Jackson, though, saw the aging Johnson, who would unbeknownst to everyone soon leave basketball with the HIV virus, tiring in the conference finals against Portland. Jackson was unable to spring the strategy in Game 1 when Pippen got into foul trouble. But he started it in Game 2 and throughout the series Pippen worked Johnson extra hard, forcing him to turn his back to bring the ball up court and slow the Lakers offensive possessions. It would become a subtle, but crucial element of the five-game victory.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>17. The Babe Ruth mark<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls won their 60th game at Charlotte in the next to last game of the season. It was the first time in franchise history a Bulls team got to 60 wins, the mark of greatness. They would go on to win at least 60 in four of the next seven seasons. It was a dominant season in many ways, one which began 0-3. The Bulls led the league in blowout wins and margin of victory and were the best shooting Bulls team ever. Jordan was getting ready for the playoffs as he scored 41 against Charlotte, his fourth game of at least 40 in the last seven.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>18. Don&#8217;t mess with LeRoy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Bulls had played Seattle and brash rookie Gary Payton in the preseason and Payton, later to be called &#8220;the Glove&#8221; for his skin tight defense, had bragged in the media he could defend anyone. Jordan had kept a copy of the story and comments for when the Bulls went into Seattle in the November &#8220;circus&#8221; trip. The first two times Payton had the ball, Jordan stole it and scored. The third time, Jordan forced another turnover for a Bulls score. Coach K.C. Jones took the rookie out of the game. The Bulls went on to win by 21.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>19. The run and gun Bulls<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>After a season to adjust to the triangle offense, the Bulls began to score and unleash their so-called &#8220;Doberman&#8221; defense that led to so many transition baskets. The Bulls averaged 110 per game, the most since 1971-72 and never as much in any of their championship seasons. On Dec. 4 at home, they set a franchise regulation record scoring 155 in a win over Phoenix, their second game of at least 150 points in the last five. In that stretch, they averaged 133 and won all five and Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons remarked he was satisfied because it took the Bulls into the second half to blow his team out, unlike most of the previous opponents. That five-game stretch was the highest scoring five games in franchise history. Ten days later, the Bulls would hold the Cavs to a Bulls opponent record five points in the first quarter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>20. Hodgy gets hot<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/z.cdn.turner.com\/dr\/nba\/teamsites\/release\/bulls\/sites\/bulls\/files\/hodges_913ptchamp.jpg\" alt=\"Craig Hodges wins three point shoot out\" width=\"250\" height=\"366\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sharpshooting reserve Craig Hodges hit a record 19 consecutive three pointers in the long distance shooting contest during All-Star weekend to win the contest for the second consecutive year. Hodges beat the game&#8217;s best shooters, Glen Rice, Hersey Hawkins, Danny Ainge, Dennis Scott and Terry Porter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Regular_season_2\" class=\"mw-headline\">Regular season<\/span><\/h3>\n<table class=\"toccolours\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>1990\u201391 game log<br \/>\nTotal: 61\u201321 (Home: 35\u20136; Road: 26\u201315)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame1\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>November: 9\u20136 (Home: 3\u20132; Road: 6\u20134)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame2\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>December: 11\u20133 (Home: 10\u20131; Road: 1\u20132)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame3\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>January: 9\u20134 (Home: 5\u20130; Road: 4\u20134)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame4\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>February: 11\u20131 (Home: 6\u20130; Road: 5\u20131)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame5\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>March: 13\u20134 (Home: 7\u20131; Road: 6\u20133)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame6\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>April: 8\u20133 (Home: 4\u20132; Road: 4\u20131)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/CHI\/1991_games.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">1990\u201391 schedule<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Playoffs\" class=\"mw-headline\">Playoffs<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<table class=\"toccolours\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>1991 playoff game log<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Total: 15\u20132 (Home: 8\u20131; Road: 7\u20131)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame7\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>First Round: 3\u20130 (Home: 2\u20130; Road: 1\u20130)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame8\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>Conference Semifinals : 4\u20131 (Home: 3\u20130; Road: 1\u20131)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame9\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>Conference Finals : 4\u20130 (Home: 2\u20130; Road: 2\u20130)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"toccolours\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div id=\"NavFrame10\" class=\"NavFrame\">\n<div class=\"NavHead\"><strong>NBA <\/strong>Finals :<strong> 4\u20131 (Home: 1\u20131; Road: 3\u20130)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\"><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Player_stats\" class=\"mw-headline\">MORE ON THE GOAT OF BASKETBALL, AND THE WORLD OF SPORTS,<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials, MJ,<sup id=\"cite_ref-6\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> is an American former professional <a title=\"Basketball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball\">basketball<\/a> player. He played 15 seasons in the <a title=\"National Basketball Association\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Basketball_Association\">National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA) for the <a title=\"Chicago Bulls\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chicago_Bulls\">Chicago Bulls<\/a> and <a title=\"Washington Wizards\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Washington_Wizards\">Washington Wizards<\/a>. His biography on the official NBA website states: &#8220;By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.&#8221; Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. He is currently the principal owner and chairman of the NBA&#8217;s <a title=\"Charlotte Hornets\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Charlotte_Hornets\">Charlotte Hornets<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan played three seasons for coach <a title=\"Dean Smith\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dean_Smith\">Dean Smith<\/a> at the <a title=\"North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_men%27s_basketball\">University of North Carolina<\/a>. As a freshman, he was a member of the <a title=\"1981\u201382 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1981%E2%80%9382_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_men%27s_basketball_team\">Tar Heels&#8217; national championship team<\/a> in <a title=\"1982 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1982_NCAA_Division_I_Men%27s_Basketball_Tournament\">1982<\/a>. Jordan joined the Bulls in <a title=\"1984\u201385 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1984%E2%80%9385_NBA_season\">1984<\/a> as the <a title=\"1984 NBA draft\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1984_NBA_draft\">third overall<\/a> <a title=\"Draft (sports)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Draft_(sports)\">draft<\/a> pick. He quickly emerged as a league star and entertained crowds with his prolific scoring. His leaping ability, demonstrated by performing <a title=\"Slam dunk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Slam_dunk\">slam dunks<\/a> from the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Free throw line\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Free_throw_line\">free throw line<\/a> in <a title=\"Slam Dunk Contest\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Slam_Dunk_Contest\">Slam Dunk Contests<\/a>, earned him the nicknames Air Jordan and His Airness. He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><sup id=\"cite_ref-defensive_players_9-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> In <a title=\"1991 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1991_NBA_Finals\">1991<\/a>, he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, and followed that achievement with titles in <a title=\"1992 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1992_NBA_Finals\">1992<\/a> and <a title=\"1993 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1993_NBA_Finals\">1993<\/a>, securing a &#8220;<a title=\"Three-peat\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Three-peat\">three-peat<\/a>&#8220;. Although Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the beginning of the <a title=\"1993\u201394 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1993%E2%80%9394_NBA_season\">1993\u201394 NBA season<\/a>, and started a new career in <a title=\"Minor League Baseball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Minor_League_Baseball\">Minor League Baseball<\/a>, he returned to the Bulls in <a title=\"1994\u201395 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1994%E2%80%9395_NBA_season\">March 1995<\/a> and led them to three additional championships in <a title=\"1996 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1996_NBA_Finals\">1996<\/a>, <a title=\"1997 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1997_NBA_Finals\">1997<\/a>, and <a title=\"1998 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1998_NBA_Finals\">1998<\/a>, as well as a then-record <a title=\"List of NBA teams by single season win percentage\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_NBA_teams_by_single_season_win_percentage\">72 regular-season wins<\/a> in the 1995\u201396 NBA season. Jordan retired for a second time in <a title=\"1998\u201399 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1998%E2%80%9399_NBA_season\">January 1999<\/a><\/strong>,<strong> but returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Wizards.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan&#8217;s individual accolades and accomplishments include six <a title=\"Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award\">NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards<\/a>, ten <a title=\"List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_annual_scoring_leaders\">scoring titles<\/a> (both all-time records), five <a title=\"NBA Most Valuable Player Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player_Award\">MVP Awards<\/a>, ten <a title=\"All-NBA Team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/All-NBA_Team\">All-NBA<\/a> First Team designations, nine <a title=\"NBA All-Defensive Team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_All-Defensive_Team\">All-Defensive<\/a> First Team honors, fourteen <a title=\"NBA All-Star Game\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_All-Star_Game\">NBA All-Star Game<\/a> selections, three <a title=\"NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_All-Star_Game_Most_Valuable_Player_Award\">All-Star Game MVP Awards<\/a>, three <a title=\"Steal (basketball)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Steal_(basketball)\">steals<\/a> titles, and the 1988 <a title=\"NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award\">NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award<\/a>. He holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by <a title=\"ESPN\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ESPN\">ESPN<\/a><\/strong>,<strong> and was second to <a title=\"Babe Ruth\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Babe_Ruth\">Babe Ruth<\/a> on the <a title=\"Associated Press\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Associated_Press\">Associated Press<\/a>&#8216; list of athletes of the century. Jordan is a two-time inductee into the <a title=\"Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame\">Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame<\/a>, having been enshrined in 2009 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as part of the group induction of the <a title=\"1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1992_United_States_men%27s_Olympic_basketball_team\">1992 United States men&#8217;s Olympic basketball team<\/a> (&#8220;The Dream Team&#8221;). He became a member of the <a title=\"FIBA Hall of Fame\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Hall_of_Fame\">FIBA Hall of Fame<\/a> in 2015.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan is also known for his product endorsements. He fueled the success of <a title=\"Nike, Inc.\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nike,_Inc.\">Nike&#8217;s<\/a> <a title=\"Air Jordan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_Jordan\">Air Jordan<\/a> sneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular today.<sup id=\"cite_ref-remain_popular_10-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> Jordan also starred as himself in the 1996 film <i><a title=\"Space Jam\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Space_Jam\">Space Jam<\/a><\/i>. In 2006, he became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats; he bought a controlling interest in 2010. In 2014, Jordan became the first <a title=\"Billionaire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Billionaire\">billionaire<\/a> player in NBA history. He is the third-richest African-American, behind <a title=\"Robert F. Smith (investor)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Robert_F._Smith_(investor)\">Robert F. Smith<\/a> and <a title=\"Oprah Winfrey\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oprah_Winfrey\">Oprah Winfrey<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc\" class=\"toc\"><strong><input id=\"toctogglecheckbox\" class=\"toctogglecheckbox\" role=\"button\" type=\"checkbox\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 1990\u201391 NBA season was the Bulls&#8217; 25th season in the National Basketball Association.\u00a0 The Bulls finished in first place in the Central Division, as well as first overall in the Eastern Conference with a 61\u201321 record, surpassing their previous franchise-best from the 1971\u201372 season. Michael Jordan won another scoring title and his second MVP [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[330,11,8,1314,2432,1456,1156,110,2416,13,14,106,104,187,1,12,7,9,10],"tags":[2996,2690,2153,2687,1475,1667,1367,2066,2235,2239,2060,2065,2058,2057,2063,2997,1681,2062,2059,2236,1555,2061,2995,2233,2234],"class_list":["post-16619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball-sports","category-business","category-entertainment","category-global-business-entrepreneurs","category-global-gamers","category-global-news-updates-and-more","category-global-sports","category-golf-sports-news","category-hall-of-fame","category-health","category-most-commented","category-nba-sports-news","category-ncaa","category-ncaa-basketball","category-news","category-scitech","category-sports","category-us","category-world","tag-a-45-career-history-1984-1993","tag-jumpman23","tag-2153","tag-1963-age-55-brooklyn","tag-1475","tag-1667","tag-1367","tag-1993-2x-nba-slam-dunk-contest-champion-1987","tag-1995-1998","tag-1995-1998-chicago-bulls-2001-2003-washington-wizards-career-highlights-and-awards-6x-nba-champion-1991-1993","tag-1996-1998","tag-1996-1998-3x-nba-steals-leader-1988","tag-1996-1998-5x-nba-most-valuable-player-1988","tag-1996-1998-6x-nba-finals-mvp-1991-1993","tag-1996-1998-all-nba-second-team-1985-nba-defensive-player-of-the-year-1988-9x-nba-all-defensive-first-team-1988-1993","tag-1996-1998-nba-rookie-of-the-year-1985-10x-nba-scoring-champion-1987-1993","tag-1681","tag-1998-10x-all-nba-first-team-1987-1993","tag-1998-14x-nba-all-star-1985-1993","tag-2001-2003-position-shooting-guard-number-23","tag-1555","tag-2003-3x-nba-all-star-game-mvp-1988","tag-michael-jordanmichael-jordan-in-2014-jpg-jordan-in-2014-charlotte-hornets-position-owner-league-nba-personal-information-born-february-17","tag-new-york-nationality-american-listed-height-6-ft-6-in-1-98-m-listed-weight-216-lb-98-kg-career-information-high-school-emsley-a-laney-wilmington","tag-north-carolina-college-north-carolina-1981-1984-nba-draft-1984-round-1-pick-3rd-overall-selected-by-the-chicago-bulls-playing-career-1984-1993","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16619"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16619\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}