Title: βStill the Greatest: Why the 1990s Chicago Bulls Remain the Best Team in NBA Historyβ
Three decades have passed since their final championship, yet the legacy of the 1990s Chicago Bulls continues to cast a towering shadow over every NBA dynasty that followed. In an era of superteams, load management, and inflated stat lines, no squad has yet dethroned the Bulls as the greatest team in NBA historyβand perhaps, none ever will.
Led by the incomparable Michael Jordan, flanked by defensive genius Scottie Pippen, and helmed by the zen master himself, Phil Jackson, the Bulls redefined excellence. Across eight seasons, they won six championships (1991β1993, 1996β1998), never losing a single Finals series, and posted a staggering 203β43 playoff record. Their style was ruthless, efficient, and elegantβa blend of grit, grace, and an unrelenting will to win.
The 1995β96 Bulls, in particular, remain the gold standard. With a 72β10 regular season record, they demolished the league before storming through the playoffs, losing just three games en route to their fourth title. The addition of Dennis Rodman that year created one of the most balanced starting fives in NBA historyβJordan, Pippen, Rodman, Ron Harper, and Luc Longleyβblending scoring, defense, rebounding, and chemistry in perfect symmetry.
Critics will argue for the dominance of the 2017 Golden State Warriors or the 2000s Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, those teams were special. But none had to face the level of physicality, competition, and scrutiny the Bulls endured in the β90s. They battled against Hall of Fame opponents like Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Reggie Miller, and Shaquille OβNealβall in their primes. They didnβt team-hop or recruit starsβthey created them.
Beyond the rings, the Bulls’ cultural impact remains unmatched. Jordan didnβt just winβhe became a global icon, transforming the NBA into a worldwide phenomenon. The Air Jordan brand was born from those Chicago hardwoods. NBA ratings hit historic highs. Courts from Tokyo to Paris echoed with the chants of βMJ.β
Phil Jacksonβs triangle offense, ridiculed at first, became gospel. Pippen redefined the role of a two-way wing. Rodman revolutionized rebounding. Together, they werenβt just a teamβthey were a force of nature.
Even today, players revere them. Kobe Bryant modeled his game after Jordan. LeBron James admitted he was βchasing a ghostβ from Chicago. Every championship team is still measured against the Bulls blueprintβbecause greatness, when done right, becomes timeless.
The game may have evolved, but no team has ever matched the mentality, mystique, and mastery of those Bulls.
6 rings. 2 three-peats. 1 GOAT.
Still Chicago. Still the Bulls. Still the best to ever do it.