1992 Chicago Bulls

Chicago set out to prove the first title was no accident and won 67 games doing it, then a franchise record. Jordan took his second straight MVP with a 30.1-point average, and the supporting cast around him had grown into its roles a year deeper into Jackson's system.

The playoffs were harder than the record suggested. The Knicks dragged the Bulls to seven games in the second round, a physical series that previewed the rivalry of the next few years. Chicago then handled Cleveland to reach the Finals.

Portland brought Clyde Drexler, the guard most often compared to Jordan, which gave the series its hook. Jordan settled it early, scoring 35 in the first half of Game 1 on six threes and shrugging as if he could not explain it. The Bulls clinched Game 6 at home after a fourth-quarter comeback led by reserves, with Jordan scoring 12 of the team's last 17.

Two titles in, the questions about whether Jordan could lead a champion were gone. The only question left was how long the run would last.

The starting five was John Paxson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Bill Cartwright. Phil Jackson coached the group with B.J. Armstrong as the primary bench scorer.

This was title number 3 in a Chicago Bulls run that stretched across consecutive or near-consecutive seasons. Repeat winners carried continuity from one year to the next.

The 1992 champion had to survive four playoff rounds in a 30-team league. Depth and matchups mattered as much as star power, especially on the road in the conference finals.

The Chicago Bulls share a lineage with other banners from 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998. Compare those seasons on the franchise hub to see how the roster and style changed between title runs.

Looking back, the 1991-92 Bulls were better than the team that won the first title, finishing 67-15 and beating the Portland Trail Blazers in six. Michael Jordan won his second straight Finals MVP. He opened the series by hitting six three-pointers in the first half of Game 1, then turned to the bench and shrugged.

For the full roster beyond the featured starters, see the table on this page. For other Chicago Bulls titles, use the franchise hub linked below.