1990–91 NBA season

1990–91 NBA season
LeagueNational Basketball Association
SportBasketball
Duration
  • November 2, 1990 – April 21, 1991
  • April 25 – May 30, 1991 (Playoffs)
  • June 2 – 12, 1991 (Finals)
Number of teams27
TV partner(s)NBC, TBS, TNT
Draft
Top draft pickDerrick Coleman
Picked byNew Jersey Nets
Regular season
Top seedPortland Trail Blazers
Season MVPMichael Jordan (Chicago)
Top scorerMichael Jordan (Chicago)
Playoffs
Eastern championsChicago Bulls
  Eastern runners-upDetroit Pistons
Western championsLos Angeles Lakers
  Western runners-upPortland Trail Blazers
Finals
ChampionsChicago Bulls
  Runners-upLos Angeles Lakers
Finals MVPMichael Jordan (Chicago)
NBA seasons

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 45th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Chicago Bulls winning their first NBA Championship, eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.

This season would prove to be Magic Johnson's last full season as a player, as he announced he was HIV positive and retired early the following season (Johnson would play part of the 1995-96 NBA season with the Lakers before permanently retiring).

Notable occurrences[edit]

Coaching changes
Offseason
Team 1989–90 coach 1990–91 coach
Atlanta Hawks Mike Fratello Bob Weiss
Boston Celtics Jimmy Rodgers Chris Ford
Denver Nuggets Doug Moe Paul Westhead
Los Angeles Clippers Don Casey Mike Schuler
Los Angeles Lakers Pat Riley Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
New York Knicks Stu Jackson John MacLeod
Seattle SuperSonics Bernie Bickerstaff K.C. Jones
In-season

NBA 91 release date: October 22, 1990

Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Indiana Pacers Dick Versace Bob Hill

1990–91 NBA changes[edit]

Final Standings[edit]