In the 1990–91 season, Michael Jordan won his second MVP award (Jordan also won the award in 1988) after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season. The Chicago Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in 16 years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.
Michael Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds. 5.9 assists, 2.4 steals.
During his first season in the NBA, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting. He quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading “A Star is Born” just over a month into his professional career. Jordan was also voted in as an All-Star starter by the fans in his rookie season. Controversy arose before the All-Star game when word surfaced that several veteran players, led by Isiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving. This led to a so-called “freeze-out” on Jordan, where players refused to pass him the ball throughout the game. The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted Rookie of the Year. The Bulls finished the season 38–44, and lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dennis Rodman led the NBA in rebounding a record seven consecutive seasons from 1992-98.
It was the 1991–1992 season where Rodman (Detroit Pistons) made a remarkable leap in his rebounding, collecting an astounding 18.7 rebounds per game (1,530 in total), winning his first of seven consecutive rebounding crowns, along with scoring 9.8 points per game, and making his first All-NBA Team. His 1,530 rebounds (the most since Wilt Chamberlain’s 1,572 in the 1971–1972 season) have never been surpassed since then; the best mark not set by Rodman is by Kevin Willis, who grabbed 1,258 boards that same season. Willis lamented that Rodman had an advantage in winning the rebounding title with his lack of offensive responsibilities. In a March 1992 game, Rodman totaled a career high 34 rebounds. However, the aging Pistons were eliminated by the upcoming New York Knicks in the First round of the 1992 NBA Playoffs.
Michael ‘Air’ Jordan takes flight.
“Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.” - Phil Jackson
Magic Johnson works against Michael Jordan during Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals. Jordan dropped 30 points and dished out 10 assists to secure his first NBA title.
Michael Jordan the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, defending Magic Johnson.
Here’s looking at you, kid.
George Gervin played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. He averaged at least 14 points per game in all 14 of his ABA and NBA seasons, and finished with an NBA career average of 26.2 points per game. Gervin is widely regarded to be one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history.
Nicknamed Iceman for his cool demeanor on the court, Gervin was primarily known for his scoring talents. Gervin went on to lead the NBA in scoring average three years in a row from 1978 to 1980 (with a high of 33.1 points per game in 1979-80), and again in 1982. The Spurs drafted high scoring guards Oliver Robinson of UAB and Tony Grier from South Florida to take some offensive pressure off Gervin. Prior to Michael Jordan, Gervin had the most scoring titles of any guard in league history.
Maryland’s Len Bias pulls up over North Carolina’s Michael Jordan.
“Sometimes you’re the pigeon, and sometimes you’re the statue.” - Bernie Bickerstaff
Because jersey #23 had been retired, he wore #45, his Barons number. Jordan scored 19 points in the loss to the Indiana Pacers. The game, televised on NBC, was the most watched regular season game in NBA history with an estimated 35 million viewers.
“As fate would have it, Jay’s status appears
To be at an all-time high, perfect time to say goodbye
When I come back like Jordan, wearing the 4-5
It ain’t to play games with you, it’s to aim at you…”
- Jay Z, “Encore” lyrics. Produced by Kanye West.
That year Jordan led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. As he struggled with unaccustomed playoff difficulty, he broke out his old #23 jersey during a second-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic. The switch did not immediately bring him luck, and the Magic prevailed. But it was back to winning ways the following year, the Bulls won three consecutive NBA titles between 1996 and 1998. Jordan retired again on January 13, 1999.
Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, part of the 1992 ‘Dream Team’ at the Barcelona Olympics.
1991 NBA Finals, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan jostle for rebound position as the ball hangs on the rim.
That season, the Chicago Bulls set an NBA record by becoming the first team to win 70 regular season games, easily finishing first overall in their division, conference, and the entire NBA. They finished the season with a record of 72–10 and would go on to defeat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals, winning their fourth NBA title in six seasons.
Offseason:
Prior the 1995–96 NBA season, Dennis Rodman and Jack Haley were traded from the Spurs to the Bulls for Will Perdue and cash considerations to fill a large void at power forward left by Horace Grant, who left the Bulls prior to the 1994–95 NBA season.
Rodman stated that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen had to approve the trade before it took place. Rodman chose the number 91 (9+1=10 according to Rodman for why he chose that number) for his jersey since #10 was retired by the Bulls in 1995 in honor of Bob Love.
Regular season:
The Bulls finished 72–10 in the regular season to break the 1971–72 Lakers’ record of 69 wins in a season. In his first full season since returning to the NBA, Jordan won his eighth scoring title to break Wilt Chamberlain’s record of seven and also came away with a triple crown of awards: the MVP awards for the regular season, All-Star Game and NBA Finals.
The Bulls improved 25 games from the previous year’s 47–35 record to their all-time record 72 regular season wins. In addition, they would go on to set another regular season landmark by becoming the fastest team to 41 wins; by going 41–3 before losing their 4th game that year, which was also a record once held by the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers, who got off to a 39–3 start.
The Bulls would win 33 road games, setting yet another NBA record. They also had a 39–2 home record, which was one win shy of tying the Boston Celtics for best home record in history.
Rodman, Jordan, and Scottie Pippen all made the All-Defensive First Team, the first time three players from the same team made it on the first team. Rodman led the league in rebounding for the fifth straight year, and Jordan won the scoring title, the second time that teammates had led the league in scoring and rebounding.
Not only is this Jordan’s 50th birthday, but this is also MJ’s 50th Sports Illustrated cover (February 18th, 2013 edition).
Michael Jordan’s greatest moments, compiled by the NBA:
Top 10 Career Dunks:
Top 10 Career Finals Moments:
Top 10 Career Playoffs Moments:
