Browsing: 2010

Bulls

LeBron: Escaping The Shadow of a Basketball Icon

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Since the year 1991, the Chicago Bulls have won more championships than any other franchise in the NBA – winning a total of six (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). The next closest teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, at 4 apiece. The Bulls won these titles in dominant fashion. The NBA never saw such dominance since the 1960’s Boston Celtics, of Cousy and Russell, who won 10 of 11 during a stretch of time. But regardless, the 90’s Bulls undoubtedly featured the most dominant team in the history of the NBA. Bill Russell’s Celtics dominated in an era of fewer teams, prior to the ABA-NBA convergence, and before salary cap restrictions were placed on team owners. The Chicago Bulls run of 6 championships in 8 seasons separates them their stiff competition in the 1990’s. It separates them from the modern era teams, and the teams of the pre-shot-clock era. The Chicago Bulls’ dominance separates them, in a timeless fashion, from the rest of the NBA pack – as well as other professional sports franchises of any league (MLB, NFL, or NBA) of any single generation in American sports history.

There is obviously a key factor, or two, when detailing how the Bulls of 1991-98 were so successful. Chicago basketball featured two athletic horses, so to speak, in the form of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The 6’7” Small-Forward, drafted from Central Arkansas in 1987, evolved into the game’s most versatile weapon, as well as its most selfless […]