As dominant as the Chicago Bulls were throughout the 1990s, bringing immense pride to their fanbase, they rarely had the opportunity to celebrate an NBA championship on their home floor. Before moving to the United Center in 1994, the team played at the iconic Chicago Stadium.
Despite their incredible success and triumphant moments, Michael Jordan & Co., more often than not, hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in opposing arenas. However, on the only occasion they were able to celebrate in front of their fans, MJ described the feeling as indescribable.
Jordan on the winning championship in the Chicago Stadium
While the Bulls clinched their first championship in Los Angeles in 1991 and secured the last of their first three-peat silverware in Phoenix in 1993, the only time they got to celebrate the joy with their home fans was in 1992, when they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games.
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In a proper fairytale manner, the Bulls were able to showcase their true mental in hoisting the title. The Blazers held Jordan scoreless for the first 11 minutes of the game and even entered the fourth on a 15-point lead. However, Coach Phil Jackson decided to send four reserves along with Scottie Pippen out on the floor. That lineup proved to be the x-factor, reducing Portland’s lead to merely three points with three minutes remaining on the clock.
Ultimately, the Bulls outscored the Blazers 33-14 in the fourth quarter to finally win the game 97-93. Looking back, the five-time MVP admitted that leading the team to a championship victory inside the Chicago Stadium was an experience he could never forget.
“It was great. That place was always rocking. With Chicago’s ‘wait-till-next-year’ attitude, you know, and that building with so many special events in it (but) it never had a championship team in there. So, I think it was entitled to have at least a celebration in there before they moved into the new building,” Jordan said. “That feeling of winning the second championship in that building was just unbelievable.”
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Chicago Stadium witnessed some of the MJ & Co. greatest moments
While the United Center became the stage for the Bulls’s second three-peat, the ‘Madison of Madness’ was where their dynasty was built. It witnessed their struggles against the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons, their breakthrough in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, and the rise of a team that would go on to dominate the decade.
Fortunately, it also had the honor of hosting one championship celebration, allowing the Bulls to share their success with the home crowd that had supported them through every high and low.
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By the admission, it does appear that Mike and his teammates always wanted to ensure their loyal fans could experience that joy firsthand, making that moment even more special than it was.
Bulls fans look back on that time with a lot of fond memories, especially knowing they never won a championship after MJ era. They came close when Derrick Rose was in his MVP form, but bad luck, injuries and quality opposition made them fall short every time. Still, that Rose-led team was over near the top of the Eastern Conference, while in the few years, Chicago was only in play-in contention, which is a far drop from all the glory years they had during the ’90s.