Michael Jordan has never been the oppressed in a single eliminatory series in the 6 championship points
Michael Jordan has never been the oppressed in a single eliminatory series in the 6 championship races originally on Fadeaway World.
Michael Jordan’s heritage is built on perfection at the highest level: six trips to the NBA final, six championships and six MVP finals. But one of the most neglected aspects of his domination in playoffs is the fact that he was never the oppressed in a single eliminatory series during one of his championship races.
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Not once, the ratings chose his Chicago Bulls from the first round to the final, and he delivered each time.
In fact, Jordan’s bulls have gone an amazing 28-1 in a series where they entered as a favorite, a brand that talks about the coherence and superiority of these Chicago teams in the 1990s.
The loss of solitary series? The 1995 second round series against Orlando Magic after Jordan had just returned from his baseball sabbatics halfway throughout the season, bearing n ° 45. It was the only time Jordan lost an eliminatory series after 1990, and he returned the following year with a revenge.
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Let’s break down his six title points and the clashes to which he faced:
Playoffs de la NBA 1991
– Beat New York Knicks 3-0 in 1991 1st round
– Beat Philadelphia 76ers 4-1
– Beat Detroit Pistons 4-0 in 1991 finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in 1991 NBA Finals
1992 NBA playoffs
– Beat Miami Heat 3-0 in 1992 1st round
-Beat New York Knicks 4-3 in 1992 semi-finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in 1992 Eastern Conference Finals
– Beat Portland Trail Blazers 4-2 in 1992 NBA Finals
1993 NBA Playoffs
– Beat Atlanta Hawks 3-0 in 1993 1st round
-Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in 1993 semi-finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat New York Knicks 4-2 in 1993 Eastern Conference Finals
– Beat Phoenix Suns 4-2 in 1993 NBA Finals
1996 NBA playoffs
– Beat Miami Heat 3-0 in 1996 1st round
-Beat New York Knicks 4-1 in 1996 semi-finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Orlando Magic 4-0 in 1996 finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Seattle Supersonics 4-2 in 1996 NBA Finals
1997 NBA playoffs
– Beat Washington Bullets 3-0 in 1997 1st round
-Beat Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in 1997 semi-finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Miami Heat 4-1 in 1997 finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Utah Jazz 4-2 in 1997 NBA Finals
Playoffs de la NBA 1998
– Beat New Jersey Nets 3-0 in 1998 1st round
-Beat Charlotte Hornets 4-1 in 1998 semi-finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Indiana Pacers 4-3 in 1998 finals of the Eastern Conference
– Beat Utah Jazz 4-2 in 1998 NBA Finals
What does that tell us about the greatness of Michael Jordan?
Now let’s put this in context. While Jordan had 28-1 as the favorite, he had 4 to 4 in the playoff series where he was the oppressed, all before the start of his championship races or during his Wizards.
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Meanwhile, LeBron James is 32 to 3 years old when favored and 5-10 when the oppressed. This record of 5-10 Underdog is often considered heroic, and in many ways, it is. His return in 2016 on the 73 to 9 Warriors is one of the greatest upheavals of all time. But this also highlights the number of times LeBron teams have entered the standard as the least favored team.
Kobe Bryant was 32 to 5 as a favorite and 1–6 as outsider. His only victory upset as an approaches came against the San Antonio Spurs in the semi-finals of the Western 2004 conference. This shows that Kobe had trouble winning an eliminatory series when the chances were against him.
Being the favorite does not mean it’s easy. This means that you bring the burden of expectations, and Jordan has brought this weight every spring. Not once, his bulls did not decrease under pressure during his finals. Not once, they left a lower team catch them slide.
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In fact, what is remarkable is that Jordan’s domination was not only rings. It was a question of never doubting. He didn’t need a match 7 in the final. He did not blow an advance of 3 to 1. he was not swept. And he did not enter a single eliminatory series during his title as Outsider.
This is part of the reason why Jordan’s mythology is untouchable. He didn’t only win, he had to win, and he did it every time. No misstep. No excuses. No lost final. Perfect record. Perfect inheritance.
Related: Michael Jordan, 39 years old
This story was initially reported by Fadeaway World on July 20, 2025, where it appeared for the first time.
