Since his entry into the NBA in 1984, most felt that the Chicago Bulls would live or die with Michael Jordan. But come the 1989-90 season, that narrative changed. That year, the Bulls finally surrounded Jordan with several players who could step up when needed. That list included Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, John Paxson, plus then-rookies BJ Armstrong and Stacey King.
One person who believed the Bulls were no longer all just about Mike was Larry Bird. The Boston Celtics forward believed the Bulls had put together a team that could compete and not entirely rely on ‘His Airness.’
“The Bulls are showing they’ve practiced hard, and their young guys are there,” Bird said in 1990 via UPI.com. “It’s no longer just Michael.”
Beware of the Bulls
While Bird’s observations made sense, they also meant that teams should be on guard. Jordan, surrounded by talent, was finally in a position to make a difference. In the regular season alone that year, MJ averaged 33.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.8 steals in 39 minutes of action.
The Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals. Unfortunately, their run was cut short, as they lost to the Detroit Pistons in a seven-game ECF. For the third year in a row, the Motor City squad left the Bulls frustrated.
In that series, Jordan averaged 32.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.1 steals. However, Only Pippen and Grant provided MJ with the necessary backup—Scottie averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Grant chipped in 11.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per contest.
Getting over the “Bad Boys” hump
Jordan and the Bulls had to wait until the 1990-91 season to turn things around. That season, they emerged as the top team in the Eastern Conference, registering a franchise record of 61 wins.
Chicago practically breezed through the playoffs. They swept the New York Knicks in the first round and then disposed of the Philadelphia 76ers in five games (4-1). In the 1991 ECF, the Bulls had a score to settle as they faced the Pistons for the third straight time. It was sweet revenge for the Bulls, who swept their rivals and advanced to the Finals.
Jordan and Co. faced the Los Angeles Lakers on the NBA’s biggest stage. They eventually won their first title in franchise history after five games, with Mike winning the Finals MVP