The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team is considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Most know that this was the same season where the Windy City squad registered a 72-10 win-loss regular season record. This made the Bulls the first team to win 70 or more games.
The cast of that Bulls squad was also something else. Aside from Scottie Pippen and a returning Michael Jordan, that team added Dennis Rodman to toughen up their defense and rebounding. With that assembly of players, some personalities believed the Bulls could set several records.
Sweet 70
Foremost is that team finishing with a regular-season record of 72-10. They would go on to win the 1996 NBA title, the first ring of the second three-peat in franchise history.
Along the way, some coaches were left in awe with the Chicago Bulls cast that year. One of them was John Lucas, the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, The 1993 USBL Coach of the Year hailed the Bulls quintet that year, something he admits he rarely saw before.
“I never bet against Michael Jordan and also not against Dennis Rodman,” the Sixers coach said back then via UPI. “It’s a joy to see that group go out there and play their positions. They’re going to win 70 games; it’s quite an achievement.”
Lucas made those remarks after getting routed by the Bulls, 112-82. It was the 67th win of the season for Chicago.
Retribution for Bulls
The 1995-96 season was a year of retribution for Jordan and the Bulls. Chicago was still recovering from being eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 4-2. That also spoiled Jordan’s return after a one-season layoff.
Given the proper time to prepare for the 1995-96 wars, the Bulls made up for that. The Bulls were able to turn things around, with the next focus being the 1996 NBA crown.
“Last year, we went through some disappointments at the end of the season, and we vowed to get back and get ourselves back to the top,” Jordan stated.
Chicago would go on a tear in the playoffs, losing a total of only 3 games. Two of those came at the hands of the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Finals.
Regardless, the Bulls defeated the Sonics, winning its fourth NBA championship