Jordan's Sixth NBA Championship
Michael Jordan won his sixth and final NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls
June 14, 1998
A Dynasty Built in Chicago
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their sixth and final NBA championship on June 14, 1998, defeating the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the NBA Finals. It was the conclusion of a dynasty that produced two separate "three-peats" — three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993, and then again from 1996 to 1998 after Jordan's first retirement and comeback. The 1998 championship was won dramatically when Jordan hit a jump shot with 5.2 seconds remaining in Game 6 to give Chicago an 87-86 victory, having just stolen the ball from Karl Malone. It was perhaps the defining shot of Jordan's career and one of the most iconic moments in basketball history.
Why Jordan Was Different
Jordan won six championships, six Finals MVP awards, five regular season MVP awards, and was selected to 14 All-Star Games over his career. He led the league in scoring for 10 seasons, a record no other player has matched. But statistics alone don't capture what made Jordan so compelling to watch and so dominant to play against. He combined elite athleticism with an almost frightening competitive intensity, a willingness to take the biggest shots in the biggest moments, and a work ethic that pushed everyone around him to higher levels. His former teammates and coaches describe a player who practiced with the same ferocity he brought to playoff games.
A Global Icon
Michael Jordan became one of the most famous people on Earth during the 1990s, transcending basketball to become a global cultural phenomenon. His partnership with Nike and the Air Jordan brand transformed sports marketing and made athletic endorsements a central part of celebrity culture. The documentary series "The Last Dance," released in 2020, introduced his story to a new generation and became one of the most watched sports documentaries ever made. Debate about whether Jordan or LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time has become a permanent fixture of sports discussion. The six championship rings from Chicago remain the foundation of the Jordan argument.