Michael Jordan Was By no means The Underdog In A Single Playoff Collection In All 6 Championship Runs initially appeared on Fadeaway World.
Michael Jordan’s legacy is constructed on perfection on the highest degree: six journeys to the NBA Finals, six championships, and 6 Finals MVPs. However one of the crucial missed elements of his postseason dominance is the truth that he was by no means the underdog in a single playoff collection throughout any of his championship runs.
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Not as soon as did oddsmakers decide towards his Chicago Bulls from the primary spherical to the Finals, and he delivered each single time.
In reality, Jordan’s Bulls went a staggering 28-1 in a collection the place they entered as the favourite, a mark that speaks to the consistency and superiority of these Nineties Chicago groups.
The lone collection loss? The 1995 second-round collection towards the Orlando Magic after Jordan had simply returned from his baseball sabbatical halfway by way of the season, sporting No. 45. It was the one time Jordan misplaced a playoff collection after 1990, and he got here again the following 12 months with a vengeance.
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Let’s break down his six title runs and the matchups he confronted:
1991 NBA Playoffs
– Beat New York Knicks 3-0 in 1991 1st Spherical
– Beat Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in 1991 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat Detroit Pistons 4-0 in 1991 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in 1991 NBA Finals
1992 NBA Playoffs
– Beat Miami Warmth 3-0 in 1992 1st Spherical
– Beat New York Knicks 4-3 in 1992 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in 1992 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Portland Path Blazers 4-2 in 1992 NBA Finals
1993 NBA Playoffs
– Beat Atlanta Hawks 3-0 in 1993 1st Spherical
– Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in 1993 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat New York Knicks 4-2 in 1993 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Phoenix Suns 4-2 in 1993 NBA Finals
1996 NBA Playoffs
– Beat Miami Warmth 3-0 in 1996 1st Spherical
– Beat New York Knicks 4-1 in 1996 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat Orlando Magic 4-0 in 1996 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Seattle SuperSonics 4-2 in 1996 NBA Finals
1997 NBA Playoffs
– Beat Washington Bullets 3-0 in 1997 1st Spherical
– Beat Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in 1997 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat Miami Warmth 4-1 in 1997 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Utah Jazz 4-2 in 1997 NBA Finals
1998 NBA Playoffs
– Beat New Jersey Nets 3-0 in 1998 1st Spherical
– Beat Charlotte Hornets 4-1 in 1998 Jap Convention Semifinals
– Beat Indiana Pacers 4-3 in 1998 Jap Convention Finals
– Beat Utah Jazz 4-2 in 1998 NBA Finals
What Does This Inform Us About Michael Jordan’s Greatness?
Now let’s put that into context. Whereas Jordan was 28–1 as the favourite, he was 4–4 in playoff collection the place he was the underdog, all earlier than his championship runs started or throughout his Wizards years.
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In the meantime, LeBron James is 32–3 when favored and 5–10 when the underdog. That 5–10 underdog document is commonly framed as heroic, and in some ways, it’s. His 2016 comeback over the 73–9 Warriors is among the biggest upsets ever. But it surely additionally highlights what number of instances LeBron’s groups entered collection because the much less favored aspect.
Kobe Bryant was 32–5 as the favourite and 1–6 because the underdog. His lone upset win as an underdog got here towards the San Antonio Spurs within the 2004 Western Convention Semifinals. This exhibits Kobe struggled to win a playoff collection when the percentages had been stacked towards him.
Being the favourite doesn’t imply it’s straightforward. It means you carry the burden of expectations, and Jordan carried that weight each single spring. Not as soon as did his Bulls shrink underneath stress throughout his Finals runs. Not as soon as did they let a lesser crew catch them slipping.
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In reality, what’s exceptional is that Jordan’s dominance wasn’t nearly rings. It was about by no means being doubtful. He didn’t want a Sport 7 within the Finals. He didn’t blow a 3–1 lead. He didn’t get swept. And he didn’t enter a single playoff collection throughout his title runs because the underdog.
That is a part of why Jordan’s mythology is untouchable. He didn’t simply win, he was anticipated to win, and he did each time. No missteps. No excuses. No misplaced Finals. Good document. Good legacy.
This story was initially reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 20, 2025, the place it first appeared.
