Top 10 Best NBA Trios in History
Greatest Trios in NBA History: Number 3
Chicago Bulls; Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman (1996, ’97, ’98 NBA Champions)
When the Chicago Bulls signed perennial rebounding champion Dennis Rodman to their roster in the summer of 1995, expectations around the Windy City immediately skyrocketed. Although the team had been defeated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals the season before, the prevailing thought was that given a full season together, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman would form one of the most lethal trios the league had ever seen. That was an understatement.
The team steamrolled through the regular season and amassed a league record of 72 wins along the way. In the playoffs, they avenged the previous season’s loss to the Orlando Magic by sweeping their rivals in the Conference Finals. In the NBA Finals, the team emerged victorious over the Seattle Supersonics in six games. Fittingly, the final game was at the United Center, and the team was able to celebrate the historic win in front of their hometown fans.
In 1997 and 1998, the Bulls would face the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. During each series, Michael Jordan executed legendary playoff performances that will never be forgotten. In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, he overcame the flu to score 38 points and lead the team to victory. In Game 6, he connected on the game-winning jump shot with just over five seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Throughout their three-year run together, Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman put together a highlight reel of dunks, fast break plays, clever passing, and High-IQ basketball. Their coach, Phil Jackson, knew how to manage their big egos while still getting them to play within a team concept. For these reasons, the Chicago Bulls of the late ’90s will forever be one of the most fondly remembered teams in NBA history.