The Chicago Bulls are widely regarded as one of the best dynasties to ever play in the NBA. They dominated the league during the 1990s, winning six NBA Championships in six trips to the NBA Finals. Obviously, the cornerstone of that epic run was none other than Michael Jordan.
For his performances during the 1990s, MJ earned the status of the GOAT in the eyes of many fans. Unfortunately, after winning the 1998 NBA Championship, the Bulls had to break up. The biggest reason behind why the Chicago Bulls dynasty broke up was the then-GM of the organization Jerry Krause.
NBA legend Magic Johnson openly claimed that Jerry Krause was the person who destroyed the Bulls dynasty. It was obvious that Mike still had a few good years left in him. He could have led the team to a couple of more rings.
A Big 3 Of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, And Shaquille O’Neal Would Have Been Unfair
But since Krause made it abundantly clear that Phil Jackson wasn’t returning to coach the team, MJ would have played for another franchise if he wanted to return to play, but that could happen just a few months after he said he would retire on January 13, 1999.
Michael Jordan once said he would play only for Phil Jackson, and that opportunity would come in the summer of 1999 after Phil Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. At that time, Los Angeles Lakers were a rising franchise with superstar Shaquille O’Neal and young Kobe Bryant.
Just a season before, they lost against the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Dennis Rodman was there for just 23 games, but he might have stayed longer if he knew Phil Jackson was coming back to coach again. Another Chicago Bulls player signed for the Lakers as a free agent, and that was Ron Harper, who became a Laker in October 1999.
Now, imagine a situation where Michael Jordan still holds on to his decision to retire, just recover from his finger injury (which was the biggest reason why he retired, and of course – when Jerry Krause decided not to re-sign Phil Jackson), he would have the perfect opportunity to join the 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael Jordan would be a great mentor to Kobe Bryant, and he would be a perfect fit with Shaquille O’Neal. The Lakers team would have Ron Harper, and they would probably extend Dennis Rodman.
With Phil Jackson as the coach, the Lakers would three-peat in 2000, 2001, and 2002. With Michael Jordan, they could extend to 2003 and 2004 very, very easily. Michael Jordan could have been the person to help Kobe and Shaq resolve their problems in the locker room.
A lot of what-ifs, but this could be one of the greatest what-ifs in NBA history. The Lakers would have won 5 rings instead of 3, and Michael Jordan would retire in a Lakers jersey with 8 total rings as the greatest player of all time. Yes, he is the greatest even, with 6 rings, but following this story and dreaming about ‘what could happen’, this would be a dream ending for every MJ fan… and Lakers fans, of course.
