NBA Finals MVP (Michael Jordan, 1991)
The dawn of a dynasty: Jordan's first title and the end of the Lakers' Showtime era.
The 1991 NBA Finals was the championship series of the NBA's 1990–91 season, won by the Chicago Bulls 4–1 over the Los Angeles Lakers. It was Michael Jordan's first Finals appearance and Magic Johnson's last.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Michael Jordan
- Team
- Chicago Bulls
- Series opponent
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Finals points per game
- 31.2
- Significance
- First Championship and First Finals MVP
Lore & Background
The Bulls and Lakers had met in four prior playoff series (1968, 1971, 1972, 1973), all Lakers victories. The 1991 Finals marked the first time the Bulls defeated the Lakers in a playoff series. The series ended the Lakers' Showtime era and began the Bulls' dynasty.
Reader's Guide
Michael Jordan averaged 31.2 points on 56% shooting, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks, earning his first NBA Finals MVP Award. The Bulls' triangle offense, led by Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, spread scoring among Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, and B.J. Armstrong.
Did You Know?
- This was the first NBA Finals broadcast by NBC after 17 years with CBS.
- Jordan became only the fourth player in NBA history to capture the scoring title and a championship in the same season, after Joe Fulks, George Mikan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- Game 1 was the last NBA Finals game to air in the afternoon (Eastern Time); all subsequent Finals games have aired in prime time.
- The Bulls swept the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals; most Pistons walked off the court with 8 seconds left rather than congratulate the Bulls.
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