Did MJ Win 6 NBA Titles in a Row? Analyzing His Championship Dominance

As an avid NBA fan and hoops historian, one question I get asked a lot is: "Did Michael Jordan win 6 championships in a row?"

The short answer is no. But MJ did accomplish something even more impressive – he led the Bulls to two three-peats.

Breaking Down Jordan‘s Title Runs

Jordan burst onto the championship scene in 1991, defeating Magic‘s Lakers to kick off the Bulls dynasty. Chicago then reeled off another two titles in ‘92 and ‘93, cementing the first three-peat.

But then shockingly, MJ retired. After losing his father and harboring a childhood dream to play baseball, Jordan walked away from hoops following his first three-peat.

This retirement snapped what could have been 6, 7 or even 8 straight titles for Chicago. As we saw when he returned in ‘96 hungry as ever, a driven MJ in his prime was unstoppable.

After his baseball sojourn from ‘94-‘95, Jordan returned with a vengeance for the ‘96 season, winning MVP and leading Chicago past Seattle for his fourth ring.

The Bulls then rattled off two more against Utah in ‘97 and ‘98, completing a second three-peat and 6 titles in 8 seasons for His Airness.

Could Chicago Have 8-Peated?

Many fans forget after losing in the ‘95 playoffs, Chicago entered ‘96 on a mission with a 72-10 record under Jordan and coach Phil Jackson.

This team was just reaching its apex with Jordan back, Pippen/Rodman‘s supporting cast peaking and its signature triangle offense firing on all cylinders.

My view is had MJ stayed after ‘93, there‘s a strong chance the Bulls could have pulled off a staggering four-peat from ‘93-‘96, with 6 to 8 straight championships in reach.

Utah and Seattle put up formidable fights in the late ‘90s, but prime Jordan was the ultimate playoff performer and closer. Like we saw him do time and again, he almost single-handedly imposed his will to win in crunch time situations.

With smarter salary cap management in the early 90s by GM Jerry Krause, Chicago also likely could have kept the band together for a run at the Celtics‘ record of 8 straight titles in the 60s.

Jordan‘s Playoff Dominance – By The Numbers

Now you know MJ never won 6 straight. But he did manage two three-peats, going a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals without ever needing a Game 7.

Here‘s a statistical look at Jordan overwhelming his playoff opponents en route to 6 rings:

• 33.4 PPG – Highest career postseason scoring average
• 109 30+ point playoff games – Another all-time record
• 6 Finals MVPs – No one else has more than 3

Jordan saved his most dominant performances for when it mattered most in the Finals and playoffs.

He scored an NBA-record 63 points against Boston in a 2OT thriller in 1986. His iconic "Flu Game" vs Utah featured 38 pts in 1997 while visibly weak with an illness.

And MJ‘s 45-point outburst to eliminate Philly in his first comeback (‘96 playoffs) remains seared into every NBA fan‘s memory after his baseball stint chasing curveballs.

The GOAT Debate – MJ Wins in Finals Clutch Moments

The LeBron vs MJ G.O.A.T. debate often revolves around their statistical resumes, MVPs and other accolades. But for me, what sets Jordan apart is his indostructible winning mentality and ability to impose his will to win.

He was the ultimate closer with everything on the line in the Finals and playoffs.

Think of him stripping Karl Malone, hitting the finesse game-winner against Utah in ‘98 or "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo in ‘89 to advance. Vintage Jordan moments stamped into NBA history.

MJ didn‘t just win scoring titles and put up stats in the regular season like many stars. He lived for the big playoff moments where he could assassinate teams with surgical precision and competitiveness.

For all of LeBron‘s sustained regular season excellence and feats like leading 3 franchises to titles, he sometimes comes up small in these situations in the Finals (see 2011 vs the Mavs).

That cold-blooded killer instinct and refusal to lose is what sets Jordan apart to me. It enabled him to drive Chicago‘s dual three-peats amid enormous expectations and pressures.

And it‘s why there will never be another undisputed GOAT like Mike.