The National Basketball Association (NBA) has 30 teams currently. Choosing the best team is a difficult task as different people have different reasons for supporting their respective teams. While some people may consider wins and trophies, others consider a team’s history even if it may not be doing well currently.
Other people will consider their local team to be the best. Whichever factor you consider, there are some teams that make history and break records.
The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls is one of the best NBA teams for various reasons; during this time, the team made history as it set the record for most wins in a regular NBA season. Learn more about the 95-96 Chicago Bulls basketball team below.
Highlights of the Season
This was Chicago Bulls’ 30th season in the NBA. In the offseason, the team acquired Dennis Rodman, a Rebound-specialist from San Antonio Spurs and signed Randy Brown, a free agent.
Midway through the season, Chicago Bulls Signed John Salley who came from the expansion Toronto Raptors. Along with Detroit pistons and Rodman, Salley won championships in 1989 and 1990.
Chicago Bulls of 1995-96 was named among the greatest basketball teams and also among the top 10 NBA teams in history in the league’s 50th anniversary in 1996. They won the championship and finished with 72 wins and 10 losses.
This made them set a record for most wins in a regular NBA season. This record was later broken by the Golden State Warriors of 2015-16 who finished 73-9.
Historic Home/Road Wins
The Bulls started 37-0 at home which was part of the then NBA record 44 game winning streak which included the 1994-95 regular games. The Bulls’ 33 road wins were the highest in NBA history till the 2015-16 warriors broke the record winning 34 road games.
It was the best 3-loss season start in NBA history that included an 18-game winning line for Chicago Bulls. Consequently, the team became the first NBA team to win 70 games in a regular season and finishing overall first in their division, conference and the whole NBA.
Chicago Bulls are the only team to win an NBA title and more than 70 games in the same season. Also, their players Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan were selected for the NBA All-Star Game of 1996.
Jordan led the league by scoring 30.4 points in each game. Head Coach for Chicago Bulls, Phil Jackson was named Coach of the Year and was chosen to coach the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game.
Led in Major Defensive and Offensive Majors in the League
The Bull’s dominance is attributed to an elite offense and superior defense. They led the NBA with 105.2 points in each game using the triangle offense while their defense limited teams to 92.9 points in one night that was the League’s third at the time.
Note that their defensive (101.8) and offensive (115.2) ratings were the overall number one. Bulls also have the highest NBA net rating with 13.4 points in every 100 possessions.
Team Accomplishments
No team in the NBA history has had as much spotlight throughout the season as the Chicago Bulls of 1995-1996. Their dominance also shone a spotlight on them during the giving out of accolades and awards by the league office.
Chicago Bulls are the first and only team to win 70+ games and won the title at the end of the season. The 73-win Warriors didn’t put the finishing touches on their amazing season when they surrendered a 3-1 Finals lead and lost to Cleveland Cavaliers. This monumental collapse made the 1996 Bulls team special and unique.
Key Players
Jordan Michael and Scottie Pippen
Chicago Bulls’ superstar duo of Pippen and Jordan were the key players for the team at the time. They were nominated to play in the All-Star Game in 1996. Jordan went on to win the All-Star Game MVP after his return from playing baseball in the minor leagues.
He also won his eighth scoring title (30.4 points per game) Finals MVP and MVP award. Other key players of the season include Toni Kukoc, John Salley, Dennis Roadman and Randy Brown among many others.
Conclusion
Chicago Bulls is among the greatest basketball teams in history. They had the most spotlight throughout the 1995-96 season and no team has equaled them in the league’s history.
It was the team’s 30th season in the NBA and the most memorable. They won championships and finished the season with only 10 losses and 72 wins. During the season, they made a 39-2 home record which is second to the 40-1 record by the 1985-86 Boston Celtics.
