1994-95 Chicago Bulls season

NBA season
team = Chicago Bulls
misc = Michael Jordan returns
end_year = 1995
wins = 47
losses = 35
division = Central
division_place = 3
conf_place = 5
coach = Phil Jackson
arena = Chicago Stadium
owners = Jerry Reinsdorf
television =
radio =
playoffs = Conference semifinals (eliminated 4–2)
bbr_team = CHI

Offseason

NBA Draft

Regular season

Jordan Returns

In the 1993–94 season, the Jordan-less Bulls notched a 55–27 record, [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teampage.htm?tm=CHI&lg=N Chicago Bulls] , databasebasketball.com, accessed January 16, 2007. ] and lost to the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. But the 1994–95 version of the Bulls was a shell of the championship squad of just two years earlier. Struggling at mid-season to ensure a spot in the playoffs, Chicago needed a lift. The lift came in early 1995, when Jordan decided to return to the NBA for the Bulls.

On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA through a two-word press release: "I'm back." [http://www.nba.com/history/players/jordan_bio.html Michael Jordan] , nba.com/history, accessed January 15, 2007.] The next day, Jordan donned jersey number 45 (his number with the Barons), as his familiar 23 had been retired in his honor following his first retirement. He took the court with the Bulls to face the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, scoring 19 points. [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n21_v87/ai_16820794 "Michael Jordan returns to Bulls in overtime loss to Indiana Pacers - Chicago Bulls"] , "Jet Magazine", April 3, 1995, available on findarticles.com, accessed January 15, 2007. ]

Although Jordan had not played in an NBA game in a year and a half, he played well upon his return, which included a game-winning jump shot (against Atlanta in his fourth game back), and a 55-point game against the Knicks on March 29, 1995. [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_jordan/bio.html Michael Jordan bio] , nba.com, accessed January 20, 2007. ] The Bulls made the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the Orlando Magic. At the end of the first game of the series, Orlando's Nick Anderson commented that "He didn't look like the old Michael Jordan," [Lawrence, Mitch. [http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/lawrence_mitch/1250345.html Memories of MJ's first two acts] , espn.com, September 10, 1999, accessed January 16, 2007.] after which Jordan returned to wearing his old number (23). Jordan averaged 31.5 points per game in that series, but Orlando prevailed in six games.

eason standings

Player stats

"Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average"

Playoffs

* Won Eastern Conference 1st Rd (3-1) over Charlotte Hornets
* Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-2) to Orlando Magic

Award Winners

NBA All-Star Game

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=1994&tm=Chi&lg=N Bulls on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1995.html Bulls on Basketball Reference]