League went soft in the 1990s and precisely because of Jordan.
In 1991, the NBA instituted flagrant foul rules which changed playoff basketball forever. This was the first year Jordan won a championship and that was not a coincidence.
Keep in mind there were a ton of expansion teams in the NBA in the 1990s, and they diluted the talent of nearly all the teams. Meanwhile, the Bulls were able to protect an extra player in the expansion drafts because Jordan retired the first time. Only player they lost from first 3 peat was BJ Armstrong, and they were able to add Steve Kerr and Dennis Rodman to replace him.
League went soft in the 1990s and precisely because of Jordan.
In 1991, the NBA instituted flagrant foul rules which changed playoff basketball forever. This was the first year Jordan won a championship and that was not a coincidence.
Keep in mind there were a ton of expansion teams in the NBA in the 1990s, and they diluted the talent of nearly all the teams. Meanwhile, the Bulls were able to protect an extra player in the expansion drafts because Jordan retired the first time. Only player they lost from first 3 peat was BJ Armstrong, and they were able to add Steve Kerr and Dennis Rodman to replace him.