Special Editor : Rookie, Donghwan Lee

Basketball is rich with history, stories, and significance. We bring you the narratives behind the game's surface.

※ This content is brought to you in collaboration with Eland Museum and Korea's leading basketball magazine, Rookie.

The Chicago Bulls' last championship win was 26 years ago. In the 1998 Finals, Chicago defeated Utah to complete their second three-peat (three consecutive championships), reaffirming their dynasty.

Chicago, tied for fourth all-time with six championships, is unique in that all six titles were achieved through two separate three-peats. The first three-peat occurred from 1991 to 1993, and after a two-year gap (during which Houston won back-to-back titles), they achieved a second three-peat, establishing themselves as the dominant team of the 1990s.

However, the nature of the two three-peats was quite different. The first three-peat marked the birth of an overwhelming dynasty, while the second felt like a relentless effort to defend the throne amidst challenges.

The Utah Jazz, Chicago's opponents in the 1997 and 1998 Finals, were formidable, but internal issues within the Bulls were a more significant factor in their struggles. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the pillars of the dynasty, were in their mid-30s, and Dennis Rodman, who had revived his career in Chicago, was in his late 30s.

In this context, General Manager Jerry Krause frequently clashed with the players and had already decided to part ways with Coach Phil Jackson after the 1997-1998 season.

The tense atmosphere within the Bulls organization during this period is well-documented in the documentary "The Last Dance." Even for a team that dominated the league, achieving a championship amidst internal turmoil was monumental. 

Yet, Michael Jordan accomplished this difficult feat. At 35, Jordan averaged 33.5 points in the Finals, dismantling Utah's defense. In the dramatic Game 6, where he made "The Last Shot," he scored 45 points, more than half of Chicago's 87 points.

After the game, Jordan held up six fingers to signify his sixth championship and roared in triumph. He then announced his second retirement after the 1998 Finals. Fans can see the trophy Jordan tearfully embraced in the exhibition "75 Greatest Basketball Players Vol.1."

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