The Chicago Bulls during the 90s were a ferocious team – with the start of their first three-peat and Michael Jordan making big headlines, this was an electric time for the team. However, nothing can beat the Bulls' 90-91 finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the rivalry, the prestige and the beginning of an era that would set the Bulls up for the next seven years.
What Was the Significance of the 91 Finals?
We can all attest that the Bull’s play during the 90s was first class – an all-star team with the likes of the GOAT himself, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, B.J. Armstrong and many others ready to prove themselves to the rest of the world. The 90-91 season was the first time the team had reached the finals since the franchise was first started, so they were ready to prove everyone wrong and establish themselves as a team to fear.
Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard represents the passing of the torch to the younger generations of basketball players. The Lakers, up until the 90s, had held a big legacy. Between the 80s and 90s, Magic Johnson along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two superstar players from the NBA Showtime era, built a lasting dynasty for the Lakers, leading the team to five victories during the decade. However, Kareem had retired just before the 90-91 season, leaving Johnson to defend the title on his own.
Kareem’s departure from the NBA was significant to the game as it signaled the ending of ‘Showtime,’ and with Shaquille O’Neil and Kobe Bryant still a few years away from their draft, it was anyone’s game. This allowed up and comers, like Jordan, Pippen and countless others to take up the mantle and the spotlight.
Jordan’s First and Johnson’s Last NBA Finals
Start of the Bulls' First Three-Peat
Key Highlights from the Finals
While the 90-91 finals were an all-around exceptional showdown, several iconic moments have continued to stand out from this time, reminding us about just how unpredictable and absolutely astounding the game of basketball can be.
1. Lakers Winning the First Game
Believe it or not, the Lakers won the first game during the finals. While not expected for the team, and especially not by a huge amount (93-91), the Lakers held onto every last bit of their former years, proving that they were still in the game even without their top players. However, it would be short-lived because it was from then on, the Bulls put their game faces on.
2. Jordan's Dunk on Sam Perkins in Game 2
Without a doubt, Jordan’s Game 2 dunk on Sam Perkins is one of the first times he really showed what he was capable of. With a pass from Cliff Livingston, Jordan easily drove the ball down the court, setting up for a seemingly easy slam dunk. Instead, he switched the ball from his right to his left hand in mid-air to bank the ball off the backboard. Totally unnecessary, yet spectacular in every way, Jordan wasn’t going to let anyone stand in his way, or his flair.