DAR Sports: The 6 Greatest Michael Jordan Seasons

By @TrueGodImmortal

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time and it's not even close. I've said this before and I'll gladly say this again and again with no issues. The thing is, Jordan was a master at his craft, and whether it was during the regular season, in the playoffs, or in the Finals, Jordan shined absolutely brighter than anyone else on the court. Last week, we ranked the 5 greatest LeBron seasons, so it's only right that today we rank the 6 greatest seasons in Jordan's career (6 to match his flawless record in the Finals). Let's get into it.

6. 1991-1992 Season
(30.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.8 APG, 52% FG, MVP, Scoring Title, NBA Title, Finals MVP)

-Jordan was on one mission this season: repeat as champions. He was focused on walking away with the trophy hoisted over his head again and he would have one of his better seasons in an effort to win his 2nd title and of course, he was successful. Statistically, this wasn't as superior to his previous seasons, but the Bulls were clicking at a huge pace and they would end up finishing with an amazing 67-15 record and the no. 1 seed in the East. In addition to Jordan making the All Defensive Team and winning the MVP, he would win another scoring title and lead the league again in win shares and PER. Jordan was simply magnificent as always and as a result, we would see him lead the Bulls to the playoffs and their 2nd straight title, along with Jordan walking away with another Finals MVP award. This season is definitely one of his best, as his regular season and playoff performances were equally awe-inspiring.

5. 1995-1996 Season
(30.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 50% FG, Scoring Title, MVP, NBA Title, Finals MVP)

-It might be a surprise to see the leader of the greatest team of all time, not have his own season in the top 3, but that basically will let you know what type of career and what type of season Jordan has in his arsenal over the years. This wasn't his best season individually, but in his older age, Jordan was still better than everyone else. He packed on 18 pounds of more muscle for the season after he experienced disappointment in the 1995 playoffs after returning from a two year retirement. Jordan would end up leading the league in win shares and player efficiency, but also won another scoring title, MVP, and led the Bulls to a 72-10 record, and of course, another NBA Championship. Jordan was still defensively sound and his offensive game was as pure as it had been before, and that makes this season a top 5 choice. However, he has seasons in his prime that are superior overall to this one, but I would say this is his most successful overall in terms of individual and team success.

4. 1989-1990 Season
(33.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.8 SPG, 53% FG, 37% 3PT, Scoring Title)

-This is essentially the breakthrough season for Jordan in many ways. He didn't win a title this year, but this was as close as he had gotten in his career before. All the chatter about Jordan and his inability to win was almost silenced this season, but the fact remains that he was magnificent during this season on both ends of the court. In the regular season, Jordan went off, and I always felt he was slightly robbed of the MVP award this year, as he finished with an amazing 33.6 PPG to win another scoring title, along with a league leading 2.8 SPG and being named to the All Defensive First Team. He also led  the league in win shares and PER once again. Jordan was the best player in the game on both ends of the court and he deserved the MVP for his exceptional play. However, what might be the best thing about this season comes in the form of coming up short for the championship. Jordan only played 16 games during the playoffs, but through that span of games, he was the best player in the postseason finishing with 36.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 6.8 APG on 51% FG. This might be his most methodical season of all time, and really close to being his best NBA season that didn't result in a championship.

3. 1987-1988 Season
(35.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.2 SPG, MVP, Defensive Player Of The Year, Scoring Title)

-In his third full season with the Bulls and fourth overall (he missed most of the season in 1985-1986), Jordan elevated his game even more. After averaging over 37 points a game in the previous season, Jordan proved once again that he was the best scorer in the game averaging 35 points a game, winning another scoring title. His offensive displays during this season were out of this world, but the biggest surprise so to speak had to be the defensive display Jordan put on this season. He was motivated on both ends of the court, and as a result, he was named MVP after leading the Bulls to the third seed with a 50-32 record. Finishing with the leading win shares and best PER along with a career high in steals per game and one of his most efficient years shooting, finishing at 54% from the field. However, the most impressive feat of the season comes from Jordan winning the Defensive Player Of The Year award. He became that rare player to win the MVP and Defensive Player Of The Year, but unfortunately his landmark season was cut short by the Pistons in the 2nd round. Still, in the 10 playoff games he played, Jordan would end up finishing with 36.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 4.7 APG on 53% FG. Jordan had the regular season on lock and was proving he was the best player in the game. It was only a matter of time before he became a champion, but '87-'88 is definitely a top 3 season in his career regardless.

2. 1992-1993 Season
(32.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.8 SPG, NBA Title, Scoring Title, Finals MVP)

-I consider this to be his most impressive and hard fought season and honestly his most slept on season of greatness. Jordan put on a show all year long and I honestly believe he deserved the MVP over Charles Barkley, but Barkley led the Suns to a better record and the Bulls dipped 10 games below their record the previous year so I understand why voters leaned to Sir Charles. Still, comparing individual seasons on both ends of the court? Jordan had the better year. The Bulls finished with a 57-25 record, which was good enough to finish as the no. 2 seed, so they wouldn't have home court advantage the entire playoffs as they did the year before. Of course, that didn't matter. Before the playoffs however, Jordan was masterful in the regular season, averaging nearly 33 points a game, nearly 3 points higher than he averaged the previous season, which is an amazing feat in itself. In addition to that, Jordan shot 50% from the field and shot his 2nd highest percentage from three that season up until that season. He was focused on completing the three peat and he would reach that goal with his greatest performance in the NBA Finals. 1993 was the season that Jordan let everyone know that not only was he the best player in the game, there was no one getting close to him. This season is the statement that he felt he needed to send to the NBA and it solidified him as the GOAT.

1. 1990-1991 Season
(31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, 54% FG, Scoring Title, MVP, NBA Title, Finals MVP)

-The first title is the best Jordan season. There's no season in his career that is quite like this all around. Sure, there are better defensive displays perhaps and maybe a better offensive season, but as far as his all around game is concerned? This was his best season. It was the season where Jordan finally got over the hump. He finally became a champion, in the same year that he won MVP and had an All Defensive season. Through the regular season, Jordan broke down defenses, helped neutralize offenses, and led the Bulls to a 60 plus win season. His playoff path to his first title was honestly one of the greatest written stories in history. He vanquished his old rival the Detroit Pistons finally before defeating the previous best player in the world Magic Johnson and the last dynasty, the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. It was a true passing of the torch and Jordan didn't disappoint in the Finals, finishing with 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.8 SPG, and 1.4 BPG on 56% FG and 50% from three. Jordan was at his best this season and the true beginning of his legacy as the greatest started here. This is the best season of Michael Jordan's career hands down.

-True