The 1994-95 Orlando Magic spoiled Michael Jordan ‘s return to the NBA by booting out the Chicago Bulls in the 1995 Playoffs. Fans expected the Wind City team to return to title contention with MJ’s presence. But the young Magic squad, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, had other plans. They were just as hungry as the Bulls to win it all.
While many people have given Magic credit, other spectators claim that Jordan wasn’t in 100% basketball shape then. He announced his comeback in March 1995 and played just 17 regular season games.
Bull’s eye
Whatever the case was, “Air Jordan” had placed a bull’s eye on the Magic’s backs. When they met in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals, Mike made sure his teammates were on the same boat as him. Their mission was to exact revenge on the squad that embarrassed them a year earlier.
“The guy that was on a mission was Jordan,” said Magic assistant coach Brian Hill. “Jordan was so competitive and was so pissed off from the year before. I watched every Bulls game that season that I possibly could because I knew we were going to have to go through them to come out of the East. There were nights when he just willed that team when he yelled and screamed at teammates who he didn’t think were playing hard.” …