Why Didn‘t the Bulls Go Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back in the Mid-90s?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a diehard 90s basketball fanatic, one of the great what-ifs that still nags me is – what if His Airness Michael Jordan kept flying and the Bulls pulled off a four-peat after their first three-peat? What could have been if Jordan wasn‘t completely gassed physically and emotionally after the ‘93 Finals? Alas, the basketball gods had other plans.

Let‘s dive deep into the clutch plays and critical misses that led to the Bulls falling short in ‘94 and ‘95.

MJ Achieves Immortality Then Disappears Into the Cornfields

To fully understand the break in the Bulls dynasty, you have to comprehend exactly how godly and mythical MJ‘s performances were leading up to that point:

Jordan‘s ‘91-‘93 Stats and Accolades:

  • 3x NBA Champion
  • 3x NBA Finals MVP
  • 3x League MVP
  • 3x Scoring Champion
  • 91: 31.5 PTS – 6 REB – 5.5 AST – 2.7 STL – 56% FG
  • 92: 30.1 PTS – 6.4 REB – 6.1 AST – 2.3 STL – 52% FG
  • 93: 32.6 PTS – 6.7 REB – 5.5 AST – 2.8 STL – 49% FG

But the nonstop battles and banging to secure the Bulls‘ throne three years straight took a harsh toll on Jordan‘s mind and body.

On top of dealing with outrageous defenses designed solely to stop him every night, Jordan was still grieving from his father‘s shocking murder that same year.

Completing the three-peat in ‘93 felt like the ultimate achievement for Jordan. So just months after finally beating Charles Barkley‘s Suns in a grueling six-game series, MJ made the fateful call to hang up his Nikes.

Without any warning, the basketball god shocked the universe by retiring to….play minor league baseball?!

The Bulls Endure Growing Pains Sans His Airness

Jordan‘s retirement left the Bulls scrambling to figure out their new roles. Could Scottie Pippen fill the giant void left by MJ?

Pippen 94 Stats and Accolades

  • 22 PTS – 8.7 REB – 5.6 AST – 2.9 STL – 49% FG
  • 3rd in MVP voting
  • 1st Team All-NBA
  • All-Star Game MVP

Pippen enjoyed by far his best individual season sans MJ, finishing 3rd for the MVP award. He guided the Bulls to a 47-35 record. Still, the Bulls sorely lacked their closer and got bounced by Ewing‘s defensive-minded Knicks in the second round of the 1994 Playoffs.

Meanwhile, Jordan looked lost on the baseball field, batting a paltry .202 in the minor leagues. After witnessing former teammate Juwan Howard in the ‘95 All-Star Game, Jordan got the itch to scratch that hardwood once again.

Rusty MJ Flashes Brilliance Before Fading Out Again

When Jordan made his long-awaited return to the Bulls in March 1995, he memorably declared in a faxed press release to reporters that simply read:

"I‘m back."

However, Jordan clearly had plenty of rust to shake off from his extended absence. He put up respectable numbers after the time away:

Jordan 95 Stats:

  • 26 PTS – 6.9 REB – 5.3 AST – 1.8 STL – 41% FG

The Bulls closed the season red hot, winning 13 of their last 17 games to finish 47-35. Jordan‘s late surge boosted Chicago to the 5th seed, where they encountered a fiery young Shaquille O‘Neal looking to take over the league.

The Magic ultimately extinguished the Bulls and Jordan in six games. MJ lacked the trademark explosiveness to take over games down the stretch. It was a noble yet unsuccessful comeback attempt to reignite the throne.

Alternate Reality: 8-Peat Achieved in ‘94 and ‘95

In the ultimate "what if" scenario, just imagine if Jordan kept playing at an MVP level instead of the sabbatical. The Bulls surely would‘ve three-peated again in ‘94 and ‘95, controlling the decade with a mythical eight straight titles. But alas, it wasn‘t meant to be, and the worn-down GOAT exited in his prime seeking peace from the exhausting spotlight.

So there you have it friends – Jordan leaving the NBA was the ultimate dagger that killed the Bulls‘ chances at utter ‘90s domination with four straight titles. Scottie, Horace, Phil and the crew gave their best efforts to keep the Bulls elite without #23. Still, losing the greatest to ever lace them up left far too big a void in crunch time.

Let me know what historic NBA "what could have beens" you‘d love to see play out in some alternate basketball universe!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts