Editing Michael Jordan (section)

==== Second three-peat (1996–1998) ====
Jordan was motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96 season]].<ref>Kerr, Steve (August 20, 2003). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/3166259.stm The greatest team in history – day four: Chicago Bulls]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728123629/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/3166259.stm |date=July 28, 2013 }}. BBC. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialist [[Dennis Rodman]], and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.<ref name="1995–96">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510210223/http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=CHI&yr=1995&lg=N "Chicago Bulls 1995–96 Game Log and Scores"]}}. ''Database Basketball''. . Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref> The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors]].<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/team_wins.html "NBA Team Regular Season Records for Wins"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604193157/https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/team_wins.html |date=June 4, 2021 }}. ''Basketball Reference''. Retrieved October 22, 2022.</ref> Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/96bulls.html "1995–96 Chicago Bulls"]. ''NBA.com''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105074443/http://www.nba.com/history/96bulls.html|date=November 5, 2012}}. Retrieved June 26, 2022.</ref> and he won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards.<ref name="br" />

In [[1996 NBA playoffs|the playoffs]], the Bulls lost only three games in four series ([[1995–96 Miami Heat season|Miami Heat]] 3–0, [[1995–96 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]] 4–1, and [[1995–96 Orlando Magic season|Orlando Magic]] 4–0), as they defeated the [[1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]] 4–2 in the [[1996 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] to win their fourth championship.<ref name="1995–96" /> The series was one of the tougher ones for Jordan as he had a 41.5% field goal percentage and his scoring average dropped nearly nine points from his average during the rest of the playoffs.<ref>Lazenby, p. 554.</ref> Nevertheless, Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time;<ref name="fnl" /> he achieved only the second sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals after [[Willis Reed]] in the [[1969–70 NBA season|1969–70 season]].<ref name="nba.combio" /> Upon winning the championship, his first since his father's murder, Jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying on the locker room floor.<ref name="nbah" /><ref name="classicbio" />

In the [[1996–97 NBA season|1996–97 season]], the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win season.<ref name="1996–97">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060516110030/http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=CHI&yr=1996&lg=N "Chicago Bulls 1996–97 Game Log and Scores"]}}. ''Database Basketball''. . Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref> The Bulls again advanced to [[1997 NBA Finals|the Finals]], where they faced the [[1996–97 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]].<ref name="remember" /> That team included [[Karl Malone]], who had beaten Jordan for the NBA MVP award in a tight race (986–957).<ref>{{cite news |last=Armour |first=Terry |title=Malone Defeats Jordan In MVP Voting |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-14-9705140220-story.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 14, 1997 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731104323/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-14-9705140220-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1996–97 NBA Awards Voting |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=Basketball Reference |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504080555/https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Felton |first=Robert |date=April 15, 2011 |title=NBA: The Eight Most Controversial MVP Wins of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/573923-the-eight-most-controversial-nba-mvp-wins-of-all-time |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523081015/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/573923-the-eight-most-controversial-nba-mvp-wins-of-all-time |url-status=live}}</ref> The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with a [[buzzer-beating]] jump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as "[[The Flu Game]]", Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.<ref name="remember">Burns, Marty (January 19, 1999). [https://web.archive.org/web/20010725113148/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/jordan_retires/news/1999/01/13/burns/ "23 to remember"]. CNN/''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> The Bulls won 90–88 and went on to win the series in six games.<ref name="1996–97" /> For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.<ref name="fnl" /> During the [[1997 NBA All-Star Game]], he posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history in a victorious effort, but the MVP award went to [[Glen Rice]].<ref>[https://eu.goupstate.com/story/sports/nba/2019/02/10/nba-all-star-charlotte-2019-glen-rices-1997-mvp-trophy-remains-teams-top-honor/6035585007/ "Glen Rice's 1997 All-Star MVP award remains Hornets' top honor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210110632/https://www.goupstate.com/story/sports/nba/2019/02/10/nba-all-star-charlotte-2019-glen-rices-1997-mvp-trophy-remains-teams-top-honor/6035585007/ |date=February 10, 2024 }}. ''Spartanburg Herald-Journal''. February 10, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2022.</ref>

[[File:Phil Jackson Lipofsky.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Jordan with coach [[Phil Jackson]] in 1997]]
The Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]].<ref name="dbbulls" /> Jordan led the league with 28.7 ppg,<ref name="MJ" /> securing his fifth regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.<ref name="br" /> The Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with the [[1997–98 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]] in the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with the [[1991–92 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]].<ref>Porter, p. 119.</ref><ref>Smith, Stephen A. (May 30, 1998). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218154953/http://articles.philly.com/1998-05-30/sports/25740915_1_pacers-bulls-center-luc-longley-heroic-efforts "Still In The Hunt: Pacers Hold Off Bulls To Force Game 7"]. ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''. Retrieved October 31, 2024.</ref> After winning, they moved on for a rematch with the [[1997–98 Utah Jazz season|Jazz]] in [[1998 NBA Finals|the Finals]].<ref>Lazenby, p. 596.</ref>

The Bulls returned to the [[Delta Center]] for [[Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals|Game 6]] on June 14, 1998, leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays, considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.<ref name="clutch1998">[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/greatest_finals_moments.html "Greatest Finals Moments"]. ''NBA.com''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411073901/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/greatest_finals_moments.html|date=April 11, 2013}}. Retrieved June 26, 2022.</ref> With 41.9 seconds remaining and the Bulls trailing 86–83, Phil Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove to the basket, and sank a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86–85.<ref name="clutch1998" /> The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball to Malone, who was set up in the [[low post]] and was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and stole the ball out of his hands.<ref name="clutch1998" />

Jordan then dribbled down the court and paused, eyeing his defender, Jazz guard [[Bryon Russell]]. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off Russell, although the officials did not call a [[Personal foul (basketball)|foul]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Quinn |first=Sam |title=Michael Jordan's final shot over Bryon Russell: How Bulls spent two years setting up legendary basket vs. Jazz |work=CBS Sports |date=May 20, 2020 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/michael-jordans-final-shot-over-bryon-russell-how-bulls-spent-two-years-setting-up-legendary-basket-vs-jazz/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425004605/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/michael-jordans-final-shot-over-bryon-russell-how-bulls-spent-two-years-setting-up-legendary-basket-vs-jazz/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Golliver |first=Ben |date=April 23, 2013 |title=Phil Jackson on Michael Jordan's push-off: 'A helping hand to a broke down comrade' |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2013/04/23/phil-jackson-michael-jordan-push-off-bryon-russell |access-date=October 30, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607103511/https://www.si.com/nba/2013/04/23/phil-jackson-michael-jordan-push-off-bryon-russell |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Medina |first=Mark |date=May 17, 2021 |title=Michael Jordan insists in 'The Last Dance' he did not push off on Bryon Russell in 1998 NBA Finals |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/bulls/2020/05/17/michael-jordan-insists-no-push-off-bryon-russell-1997-nba-finals/5210532002/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607103511/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/bulls/2020/05/17/michael-jordan-insists-no-push-off-bryon-russell-1997-nba-finals/5210532002/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Did Michael Jordan push off on Bryon Russell? Veteran NBA ref Danny Crawford's take |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/did-michael-jordan-push-bryon-russell-veteran-nba-ref-danny-crawfords-take |access-date=October 30, 2023 |publisher=NBC Sports |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607103511/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/did-michael-jordan-push-bryon-russell-veteran-nba-ref-danny-crawfords-take |url-status=live}}</ref> With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career,<ref>Lee, Michael (June 14, 2018). [https://sports.yahoo.com/michael-jordans-final-shot-bulls-foul-retired-referee-officiated-game-6-1998-nba-finals-explains-133204519.html "Was Michael Jordan's final shot with the Bulls a foul? A retired referee who officiated Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals explains"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125033136/https://sports.yahoo.com/michael-jordans-final-shot-bulls-foul-retired-referee-officiated-game-6-1998-nba-finals-explains-133204519.html |date=January 25, 2020 }}. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> a top-key jumper over a stumbling Russell to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. Afterwards, the Jazz' [[John Stockton]] narrowly missed a game-winning three-pointer, and the buzzer sounded as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship,<ref>{{cite news |last=Isola |first=Frank |date=June 15, 1998 |title=Michael Jordan scores 45 points to lead Bulls to sixth NBA title in win over Utah Jazz |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/title-air-a-mj-steals-seals-no-6-article-1.2017838 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |newspaper=New York Daily News |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803204642/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/title-air-a-mj-steals-seals-no-6-article-1.2017838 |url-status=live}}</ref> achieving a second three-peat in the decade.<ref>McGee, Nicholas (May 29, 2019). [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/michael-jordan-bulls-kobe-bryant-lakers-three-peat-golden-state-warriors-nba-finals/1sfcm95471ou61ebyueklem49t "Jordan's Bulls and Kobe's Lakers: The three-peat teams Golden State is trying to emulate"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125033136/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/michael-jordan-bulls-kobe-bryant-lakers-three-peat-golden-state-warriors-nba-finals/1sfcm95471ou61ebyueklem49t |date=January 25, 2020 }}. ''The Sporting News''. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> Once again, Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time,<ref name="fnl" /> having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 ppg, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.<ref>Ryan, Jeff (June 14, 1998). [https://www.sportingnews.com/archives/nbafinals/1998.html "History of the NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz – 1998"]. ''The Sporting News''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020523111455/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/nbafinals/1998.html|date=May 23, 2002}}. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series,<ref>Cohen, Rachel (June 5, 2008). [https://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/jun/05/lakers_celtics_should_grab_big_tv_rating43432/ "Lakers-Celtics should grab big TV ratings"]. ''Post and Courier''. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127212032/http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/jun/05/lakers_celtics_should_grab_big_tv_rating43432/|date=January 27, 2012}}. Retrieved May 14, 2017.</ref> and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in NBA history.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xMMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 |title=NBA Finals Game 6 nets ratings record for NBC |date=July 6, 1998 |magazine=Jet |page=47 |volume=94 |issue=6 |issn=0021-5996 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=April 7, 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref>