Michael Jordan explains what made the 1996 NBA title the ‘toughest' one: “All these emotions and all these different things are coming at me”

Although it is considerably his greatest season, MJ considers ‘96 as the most challenging in basketball and from a personal standpoint.

Michael Jordan might be one of the most accomplished winners in league history, but there's no way he didn't encounter trials and tribulations during his reign in the NBA.

MJ set the standard by dominating the basketball scene in the 90s, clinching six NBA championships through two separate three-peats. It might be easy, as he didn't sustain any loss in the finals in his career. But his Airness fully acknowledges the work and obstacles he overcame to give the Chicago Bulls a dynastic distinction.

Out of what he saw and experienced in those six glorious runs, he regards 1995-96 season as the most challenging.

"The '96 was probably the toughest one. I was coming from a defeat in '95 when I played baseball. Everyone thought I was step slower, so I had to prove myself. My father, it was the first time I actually done it without my father. So I mean, all these emotions and all these different things are coming at me. To me, that was the most difficult if I had to pick the six," he confessed in an interview with ABC's Australian Story.

A roller coaster ride

The 1995-96 season was both a blessing and a curse for Michael. It might have appeared as a flawless year overall, but the Bulls legend perceives it as a roller coaster ride that, while giving him such thrills, was still emotionally taxing.

After his failed comeback in 1994-95, in which the Orlando Magic shocked the world and eliminated them, Jordan held a vendetta to run things back the following year amid doubts from many fans and analysts. As such, his season of redemption couldn't have been more gratifying, as it propelled him and the Bulls to history, winning a then-NBA record 72 games.

Their domination in the entire league extended further in the postseason, steamrolling their way back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. And despite a rough series overall, MJ willed the Bulls over the Seattle SuperSonics in six games to clinch the NBA championship that served as a perfect cherry on top of their iconic season.

He might've revived the Bulls' dynasty status, but there was no way possible for MJ to turn back the hands of time and savor each new triumph he had that year with his father. Three years ago, James Jordan was murdered while sleeping in his car in North Carolina, and this tragic event served as one of the significant reasons why Michael briefly retired from the game. Instantly after the buzzer horned that signaled Chicago's 1996 title win, Mike collapsed onto the floor and was visibly emotional as he entirely dedicated the victory to his beloved father.

The best ever

Yes, MJ might be the GOAT of this sport because of the way he set the standard, but he still had vulnerabilities that severely affected him. Interestingly, he endured the most difficult one in the year, where he saw the highest success alongside the Bulls.

In the end, this truly makes Michael a cut above the rest. He fought through the odds and personal tragedies, yet he still came out on the top of the mountain and proved that he's the undisputed best to ever play.