During the 1990s, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls built one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history, capturing six championships in eight years. As the franchise’s unquestioned leader, Jordan now reflects on what could have been, confidently stating the team had the potential to win a seventh title had they stayed together.
In an interview with Michael Wilbon, Jordan acknowledged the lingering “what if” surrounding the Bulls’ breakup after the 1997–98 season. “I do believe we could’ve won 7—we’ll never know, but it’s great for thinking, conversation, and debating,” he said. “The competitive nature would’ve been: let’s get to 8… until somebody beat us… until I actually lose in the Finals.”
Jordan’s six titles remain one of the most impressive résumés in NBA history. With career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on nearly 50% shooting, he led the Bulls through their most successful era. Despite his unmatched achievements, many fans and analysts still wonder how many more rings he could have earned under different circumstances.
Before the Bulls’ dynasty ended in ’98, Jordan had already stepped away once—retiring in 1993 following the tragic death of his father. That hiatus cost him nearly two seasons during his prime and allowed teams like the Houston Rockets to claim back-to-back titles with Hakeem Olajuwon. His return in 1995 reignited the Bulls’ dominance.
Michael Jordan on chasing a seventh ring: “I do believe we could’ve won seven—we’ll never know, but it’s great for thinking, conversation and debating…competitive nature would’ve been let’s get to eight…until somebody beat us…till’ I actually lose in the finals”
The Bulls’ first three-peat came from 1991 to 1993, as Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson led the team past elite competition. They defeated the Showtime Lakers, the Clyde Drexler-led Trail Blazers, and Charles Barkley’s Phoenix Suns to assert themselves as the NBA’s new powerhouse.
After Jordan’s brief retirement, the Bulls struggled to maintain their edge. But upon his return, the franchise added key pieces—most notably Dennis Rodman—to fuel a second three-peat from 1996 to 1998. Their 72–10 regular season record in 1995–96 remains one of the greatest campaigns in NBA history.
That second run featured Finals victories over the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996 and back-to-back triumphs against the Utah Jazz in 1997 and 1998. The dynasty ended with Jordan’s iconic “Last Shot” in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals—a defining image in sports history, as he sank the game-winner over Bryon Russell to seal his sixth ring.
Beyond the trophies, the Jordan-era Bulls left a legacy defined by elite skill, relentless mentality, and exceptional coaching. Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, combined with Jordan’s singular will to win, created a global phenomenon that transcended basketball. The team not only dominated the league—they reshaped its cultural and commercial future.
