SI Flashback: NBA Finals

After a record-setting 72-win regular season, the Bulls grabbed a 3-0 lead and dispatched the Sonics in six games to fortify their place in history in Michael Jordan's first full season back from his foray into baseball.

Snapshot from Vintage

By Phil Taylor

June 17, 1996 Barry Gossage/NBA Photos

His Airness: We would not have been as moved when Jordan was overcome by the bittersweet satisfaction of winning the title on Father's Day. His grief over the murder of his father, James, three years ago had helped send him into temporary retirement from basketball. ... Jordan was not at his best in Game 6, but that was somehow fitting, because, in this season of near perfection, it was the Bulls' ability to overcome their imperfections (like the lack of a dominating center) that cemented their greatness.

They Said It "There were a lot of things going through my heart and my mind. My head was geared toward what's most important to me. That's my family and my father, who's not here. But my teammates were able to pull me through." —Jordan "It was hard, but winning a championship is supposed to be hard. I think this is the way it was meant to be." —Jordan

Good fortune: If it's history you want, consider Chicago's recent past and how this championship team almost didn't come together. Only 15 months ago, Jordan was a minor league baseball player, Dennis Rodman was helping to lead the San Antonio Spurs to the best regular-season record in the NBA, and Ron Harper, late of the Los Angeles Clippers, was a $19 million free-agent bust with the Bulls. Forward Scottie Pippen was demanding to be traded, and Chicago seemed likely to grant his wish.

Rightful place: As Jordan held the championship trophy, there was a feeling that it belonged nowhere but in his arms, that he had just rented it out to the Houston Rockets the last two seasons. The championship was back, as the old blues song has it, in its sweet home, Chicago.

Issue date: June 24, 1996