NBA Finals MVP (Michael Jordan, 1991)

Lore & Background

The 1991 Finals marked Michael Jordan's first NBA Finals appearance and Magic Johnson's last. The Bulls' victory ended a streak of two prior playoff series losses to the Lakers (1971 and 1973), both Lakers victories. This series also marked the end of the Lakers' Showtime era and the beginning of the Bulls' dynasty.

In Their Own Story

Game 1 at Chicago Stadium was electric, but the turning point came in Game 5. With the series tied 2-2, Jordan found himself isolated against the Lakers' defense. Instead of forcing a difficult shot, he launched into the air, spun backward over a defender's outstretched hand, and laid the ball in with a grace that silenced the arena before erupting it. That reverse layup became the symbol of his evolution from a scorer to a complete champion. As the final buzzer sounded on the series, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms, the weight of seven years of failure finally lifted, replaced by the golden glow of the first title.

Reader's Guide

Jordan became only the fourth player in NBA history (after Joe Fulks, George Mikan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to capture the scoring title and a championship in the same season. The Bulls won five more championships after 1991 in a seven-year span.

Did You Know?

• The 1991 NBA Finals was the first NBA Finals broadcast by NBC after 17 years with CBS.
• This was the first meeting between teams from Chicago and Los Angeles for a major professional sports championship since the 1959 World Series.
• Game 1 of the 1991 Finals was the first NBA Finals game to air in the afternoon (Eastern Time Zone) since 1986; Game 2 of the 1991 Finals and Game 6 of the 1992 Finals also aired in the afternoon.