The Chicago Bulls 95-96 season is one that is well remembered – an all-star team of players, Michael Jordan back in the saddle after his baseball stint and the beginning of the team's second three-peat. However, this season was more than just the Bulls’ return to greatness. This was also the famous 72-10 season, in which the Bulls stepped up to the plate and delivered the greatest number of wins ever seen by the NBA before.
That’s right, 72 wins and 10 losses throughout the regular season, a record held from the 1995-96 season up until 2015-16 where the Golden State Warrior set a new record of 73-9. Let’s dive into how to Bulls achieved this record and showed they world they were back, ready to dominate the NBA once again.
1995-96 Season of Potential
While the 94-95 season for the Bulls had not been as successful as many would have thought, especially with their best player out, trying his hand at baseball, the 95-96 season was bubbling with excitement. The team was packed full of some of the best players at the time – MJ of course, Dennis Rodman (who the Bulls acquired during the offseason), Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr and many others were rostered to play hard and make moves to disrupt the game forever.
The Bulls had also just lost their first season after their first three-peat, so they were ready to reclaim their title and their prestige from the reigning champions, the Houston Rockets.
Starting Strong in the Regular Season
The Bulls started off strong, winning their first five games with strength and determination. The team’s chemistry, relationship and work ethic were seamless, showcasing the best of what the Bulls had become known for. In game six, the Bulls lost 94-88 to the Orlando Magic – but they didn’t let this first slip-up taint their vision for ultimate glory.
Bouncing back, the Bulls went on to collect win after win and by the end of their regular season, they had accumulated a then record-breaking 72-10 game win, with 39 home games and 33 road games under their belt. Totally astounding in every way, the Bulls were back in the game – but they weren’t stopping at the regular season.
Playoff Strength to Strength
The first game in the playoffs was the Bulls vs. the Miami Heat. The Bulls had already defeated the Heat during the regular season, so they weren’t afraid to take them on again for a second time. In three games, the last one played in Miami, the Bulls destroyed the team once again 3-0.
Advancing into the Conference Semifinals, the Bulls faced the New York Knicks. Smashing it out of the park in Game One, the Bulls defeated the Knicks behind Jordan’s 44 points. Game Two was the same – the Bulls taking it home again for 2-0. However, Game Three is where it got rocky, the Bulls losing in overtime even after MJ’s 46-points. But they weren’t about losing, so in Games Four and Five they closed out the semifinals, showcasing their grit and determination, especially Pippen and Rodman’s spectacular double-double.
Moving through to the Conference Finals, the Bulls met the Orlando Magic again, who was spearheaded by Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway. With no surprises, the Bulls took the Magic down a peg, cleaning them out with 4-0 wins, again highlighting Jordan’s continual high-point average and the Bulls' intense and strategic gameplay.
NBA Final Showdown
Their first NBA finals since 1994, the Bulls were ready to reclaim their legacy. The Seattle Supersonics were at the end of their best season yet with 64-18 games, and with only one championship under their belt from 1979, they were ready to bring home their next win.
Securing Game One by 17 points, the Bulls continued to defeat the Sonics in the first three games. This was spurred by a range of talented defence and Rodman’s 20 rebounds in Game Two. However, it started to turn towards the Sonics in Game Four, with a whopping 21-point lead to the team. Game Five was similar with the Sonics taking the lead again, pushing the Finals to 3-2 to the Bulls.
Game Six was it. The test of two teams wanting to take the title but only one could emerge victorious – and they definitely weren’t disappointed. The Bulls took on the Sonics with a force to be reckoned with, especially Rodman delivering another stellar 19 rebound performance. MJ led the team with 22 points, dominating the court and finally taking the title with a 12-point lead against the Sonics.
Nothing less than exceptional performances by the whole team and celebration of the Bulls back in action.
Awards and Celebration
The Bulls' success during the 95-96 season finals was attributed to many things but skill and determination were the driving forces behind their championship.
MJ won a plethora of awards, of course, taking home the NBA MVP, All-Star MVP and Finals MVP awards. Rodman secured his fifth consecutive rebound title, a huge feat for any player. Toni Kukoč was given the sixth-man award for showing up when his team needed him the most. The Bulls also reached a sell-out streak of 437 games across the season, a record number for the team.
The Bulls reclaimed their success story, rebranding themselves as a team that pushed the limits of the NBA that would achieve far beyond what anyone thought they would. To show support for the Chicago Bulls and their stellar 72-10 record, shop our selection of NBA jerseys and teamwear from Mitchell and Ness Australia now.