“This is for Daddy”: The Story Behind This Iconic Photo of Michael Jordan From the 1996 Championship

The Chicago Bulls saw an amazing victory on June 16,  1996.  It went down in history as arguably the best season in the NBA. However, it was more emotional than anything else for Michael Jordan.

When Michael Jordan couldn’t celebrate very joyously

The Bulls won the 1996 championship 87-75 against the Seattle Supersonics. Jordan had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to his name.

That championship was Jordan’s fourth, and might be the most emotionally exhausting victory in his career. Coincidently, the Bulls’  victory on June 16th was also Father’s Day.

What made it emotional for Jordan was that it was the first title Jordan won without his father by his side. Grasping the game ball after the final buzzer sounded, Jordan ran back to the Bulls locker room. He  collapsed onto the floor, crying, “No ‘Crying Jordan’ jokes here, please.”

Eventually, Jordan made his way back to the court for trophy presentation. As the United Center crowd wildly chanted, “MVP! MVP!”, a tearful MJ dedicated this championship to his father.

He said, “I know he’s watching. This is for Daddy.”

Jordan also tried baseball because it’s something his late father would have wanted. By most accounts, however, he failed. Then he made his comeback and reclaimed his rightful place on the NBA mountaintop on Father’s Day.

MJ played all 82 games that season. He averaged 30.4 points, making All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 1st Team. He won MVP of the All-Star game and ended it with a 4th MVP and Finals MVP award.

How Jordan’s father died

James R. Jordan was a victim of a murder in a carjacking. On July 23, 1993, James was returning home from a funeral. He pulled over on US Highway 74 just south of Lumberton, North Carolina, to take a nap. Two men spotted the car MJ had recently purchased for him.

The men shot Jordan to death while he slept in his car. They stole the vehicle, which had two championship rings Jordan gave his father. The authorities found his body on August 3 in a swamp in McColl, South Carolina. It was in a very decomposed state. Dental records helped identify the body.