Editorial archive dedicated to Michael Jordan · 1989-90 season
Chicago Bulls · Season archive

Season 1989-90

Phil Jackson takes over and Chicago begins to look like a real contender.

Bulls record55-27
Scoring average33,6
Career high69 points

Editorial recap

With Phil Jackson now leading the team, the Bulls took a clear competitive step forward. Chicago finished 55-27, its best record since the early 1970s, and Jordan led both the offense and defensive pressure with 33.6 points and 2.77 steals per game.

He also visibly improved his outside shot, making 92 three-pointers in the regular season, and set a career high with 69 points against Cleveland. In the playoffs, Chicago won two rounds and again met Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Pistons stopped the Bulls in seven games.

Regular-season averages

GPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKPTS
828239,052,637,684,81,75,16,96,32,770,6633,6

GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.

Playoff averages

GPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKPTS
161642,151,432,083,61,55,77,26,82,810,8836,7

GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.

Key moments

  • Fifth consecutive crown as the NBA's scoring leader.
  • Career-high 69 points in a regular-season game.
  • Phil Jackson's project consolidates before the great leap of 1991.

Honors and distinctions

  • All-NBA First Team.
  • All-Defensive First Team.
  • All-Star Game starter.