The 1995-96 NBA season featured one of the greatest runs in league history as Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to a championship. After finishing the regular season with a then-record 72-10 mark, the Bulls steamrolled through the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic before defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals.
Jordan was unstoppable in his first full season back from retirement, averaging 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He had help, too, as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoč, and Ron Harper were all key parts of a nearly unbeatable roster. Jordan’s performance earned him the league MVP, and the rest of the squad earned plenty of accolades as well.
Former President Bill Clinton Eased Michael Jordan With Brilliant Advice
After winning the title, Jordan and the Bulls made the traditional visit to the White House. It was Jordan’s fourth championship, and he admitted he was nervous meeting then-President Bill Clinton.
According to The Oklahoman, Jordan said, “It’s great for me to be here. I’m very nervous. I’ve never had the opportunity to stand next to such a prestigious man.” However, Clinton came up with a very special introduction that eased the basketball legend into his signature character.
Michael Jordan dedicates the 1996 NBA Finals win to his late father and pours out his emotions on the locker room floor pic.twitter.com/4rxFey5iBj
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) May 9, 2024
Clinton said, “Just think of me as another injured basketball player. I want you to know that in six months, I’ll be as good as new and available for the next draft.” Not only did this message ease Jordan, but Clinton was quite the fashion critic, and he was impressed by Jordan’s dressing style.
Talking about the black and white shoes that Jordan donned, Clinton added, “All well-bred young Southern boys learned to wear two-toned shoes in the springtime. I’m glad you kept up the tradition.”
Alongside Jordan, the White House visit included head coach Phil Jackson, team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Pippen, Steve Kerr, Harper, Luc Longley, and Robert Parish. Reinsdorf even gifted Clinton a red-and-black Bulls jacket and a team watch to mark the team’s fourth NBA title.
Chicago Bulls Dominated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals
President Clinton was just one of many impressed by the Bulls’ dominance that season, saying, “They’ve given us the sense that when people do things together, a lot more is possible.”
He also called the Bulls “perhaps the greatest basketball dynasty ever.”
The Bulls opened the 1996 NBA Finals with a commanding 107-90 win over Seattle, led by Rodman’s 13 points. In Game 2, Jordan dropped 29 to push Chicago to a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 saw Jordan go off again, scoring 36 points in a 108-86 blowout to make it 3-0.
June 14, 1998
1998 NBA Finals Game 6
Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz
Delta Center, Salt Lake CityMichael Jordan
45 points
15-35 PG 42.9%
3-7 3P 42.9%
12-15 FT 80%
4 StealsBulls 87, Jazz 86
MJ single-handedly delivers the greatest, most clutch performance in NBA Finals history.… pic.twitter.com/8l9N2hrEsc
— AirJordans23 (@AirJordans2323) June 15, 2023
The Sonics managed to claw back with wins in Games 4 and 5, but the Bulls sealed the series in Game 6, led by Jordan and Pippen’s combined 39 points. The clincher came on June 16, Father’s Day, and marked Jordan’s first title since the death of his father, making the win even more emotional.
