Much like the 1980s, the 1990s did not have much variation in NBA champions. In the 1980s, the Celtics and Lakers took home the majority of the NBA championships, but in the 1990s, there was no split. During this decade, the Chicago Bulls took home the hardware in six out of the ten seasons. The team won three in a row, two different times: 1990 through 1992, and then again in 1995 through 1997. Out of these six teams, the 1996 championship team was the best, and they are also the second-best team of all time.

During the 1995-96 regular season, the Chicago Bulls set the record for most wins in a regular season, winning 72 of 82 games. This record would not be broken for 20 years. This Bulls also set a record that still stands to this day: having an overall record, including the postseason, of 87-13. The 1995-96 Bulls team knew how to win, and that is what it did. The program won a franchise record 18 games in a row at one point during the season, and the team’s average margin of victory was 12.3 points per game. Other teams in the NBA hardly even came close to surpassing the Bulls.

Whether it was a kid growing up or an adult who has already grown up, the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s was the team to watch. The team had such a unique and entertaining roster, including the best basketball player to ever walk the earth: Michael Jordan. During the 1995-96 NBA season, Jordan averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 steals, on his way to winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award. He also collected the NBA Finals MVP, his fourth ever. Not only did the Bulls have Jordan, but the roster also had two other NBA All-Stars and hall of famers. The Bulls “Big 3” as they were called, consisted of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. Put on any other team, and Scottie Pippen would have been the star, but he embraced his role and was fine without getting all of the glory. Then there was Dennis Rodman, one of the most controversial NBA players of all time. Although crazy off the court, on the court he was a beast defender and rebounder and put his body on the line every single game. During the 1995-96 season, Rodman averaged 14.9 rebounds per game, earning himself the rebounding title for the fifth time.

In addition to the “Big 3”, the Chicago Bulls roster was loaded with more talent. The Bulls had the NBA sixth man of the year in Toni Kukoč, a tall southpaw who came off of the bench and added both scoring and positivity to the team. The Chicago Bulls roster rounded out with names like Bill Wennington, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr-one of the best three-point shooters ever-, and Jud Buechler. In addition to all of these star players, it was only fitting for the organization to have arguably the greatest basketball coach of all time: Phil Jackson.

There was no doubt in 1995-96 which team was going to win the NBA championship, but the Bulls did it in a fashion that was never seen before with high-flying dunks, blowout wins, and sellout crowds. Anyone and everyone who knew the shape of a basketball wanted to see the Chicago Bulls play. Because of this, the team ranks number two on my list of the best NBA teams ever.