BenchMarks: Bull On Parade | Pt. III

By the autumn of 1995, Michael Jordan had his rhythm back, but the Chicago Bulls needed a new edge to reclaim the throne. What followed was not just a season, but a march toward immortality.

In the final installment of this three-part Michael Jordan odyssey, Zain Bando breaks down the construction of the greatest team ever assembled. We examine the high-stakes gamble on Dennis Rodman, the colorful and controversial "Worm," whose rebounding prowess and defensive tenacity provided the missing link to the Bulls' second dynasty. Bando takes us through the grind of the historic 72-10 regular season, a record that stood for twenty years as a testament to the team’s absolute refusal to lose.

The episode culminates in the "flawless" stretch of the late 90s, exploring the intricate chemistry between Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson’s Zen-like leadership. We relive the emotional 1996 Father's Day championship, the legendary "Flu Game" in 1997, and the tension-filled finale of the 1998 season—popularly known as The Last Dance. From the locker room friction with management to Jordan's iconic "Final Shot" in Utah, we celebrate the end of an era that defined the NBA for a generation and cemented the Bulls as a global cultural phenomenon.

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