Michael Jordan had to keep his focus and maintain his level of play for the Chicago Bulls in the 1992-93 season. He had to fend off many distractions, factors that would hinder him and his team from accomplishing a rare three-peat.
Somehow, "His Airness" was able to weather the storm. The Bulls drew a worthy opponent in the Charles Barkley-led Phoenix Suns and won by the skin of their teeth in Game 6, 99-98, to capture their third NBA title.
"Winning this championship is harder than anything I've done before in basketball, with all the ups and downs that I've gone through this season and the mental approach that I've had to take into each game," Jordan said after winning his third NBA ring in 1993 via UPI .
A class of his own
In addition to winning his third title, Jordan also won his third-straight Finals MVP award, which separated him from other greats, such as Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons, and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Magic is also a three-time MVP in the Finals, although the Lakers legend got it three separate years. Jordan won it three straight times (1991, 1992 and 1993).
"With so much talent and parity in the league right now, we certainly feel we must be considered one of the greatest teams," Jordan added.
Michael averaged 41.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in the 1993 NBA Finals. Although these were monstrous numbers, the final scores of each of the six games show how the Bulls and the Suns fiercely fought for the crown.
Related: "Frequently it was heated" — Steve Kerr claims Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's conversations in practice usually had tension
Charles gave it his best
Barkley was a big problem for Jordan and the Bulls. The "Round Mound," who was hailed as the 1993 regular season Most Valuable Player, spearheaded Phoenix's drive. Chuck averaged 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, carrying much of the load to possibly deliver a title to the Suns.
Despite his excellent season, Barkley was not spared from criticism. With most aware of his relationships with Jordan, some felt "Sir Charles" went soft against Michael . The 5th overall pick of the 1984 Draft would brand these accusations as preposterous, and he badly wanted to defeat Jordan in the final.
"It's an insult because, as no person, I ever wanted to beat more (than) Michael in the Final," Barkley said . "It was crazy, but he's the greatest player ever, and when I played against him, it was really personal."
Barkley could have redeemed himself in the 1994 playoffs with Jordan suddenly announcing his (first) retirement. Unfortunately, injuries hounded the "Round Mound of Rebound," which doomed the Suns, who could only reach the Western Conference semifinals against the eventual champions, the Houston Rockets.
Related: "He flew me out to Phoenix" - Charles Barkley hired a renowned heckler to disrupt Michael Jordan in the 1993 Finals
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