Losing to Orlando in 1995 reenergized Michael in his return
After winning three-straight NBA Championships before retiring, the prevailing thought was that as soon as Michael Jordan would return the Bulls would retake their spot as the best team in the league. However, it was almost as if losing to the Magic was a huge wakeup call for both the Bulls and Jordan.
Since his departure, Chicago had changed. Not only did Jordan need to get his body right again, but he also had to get used to the new-look Bulls. It was a process that could not be completed in a matter of a few weeks. It took an entire offseason and regular season. And that was very much apparent during the 1995-96 season in which the Bulls won 72 games.
They would go on to only lose one game through the first three rounds of the playoffs and only three overall in the postseason on their way to their fourth NBA Championship.
Maybe Jordan and the Bulls still go on to win another three championships from 1996-98, but there’s no question that the playoff loss to Orlando helped mold their second three-peat.