Pedro Oliveira
Belonging to the Central Division of the Eastern Conference, the Bulls are one of the most emblematic and recognized teams in the world, thanks to their great success in the 80s and 90s, winning six championships in what is considered the era of basketball globalization in the world. Although they have not been able to replicate their glory years in the 2000s, the team remains one of the most appealing locations for any NBA player owing to its history, enormous market, and fan base.
We present the ranking of the five best Chicago Bulls players in the history of the franchise.
5.- Derrick Rose
One of the stories that most Bulls fans would do anything to change: the point guard from the University of Memphis was selected as the first overall pick in the 2009 draft. The Bulls fortunately ended up with that selection, and were able to acquire the talented Rose, who was born and raised in the city of Chicago, as a Bulls fan.
The first four years of his career were a dream for everyone involved: winning the Rookie of the Year award and two years later, the MVP of the season at just 22 years old, the youngest in NBA history. In those four stints he averaged 21 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Unfortunately, at the end of the 2011-2012 season, Rose would suffer torn ligaments in his left knee and would never be the same again.
After his first injury, he would suffer three more injuries to his knees (both left and right) that led him to change his game drastically and his potential was differentially affected. Despite still having a more than acceptable level for the Bulls, the franchise was mired in mediocrity and did not represent a winning opportunity for Derrick, so he was traded in 2016 to the New York Knicks. He finished his seven-year career with 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
Rose’s honors: one MVP award, three All-Star Game selections, one All-NBA team and the 2009 Rookie of the Year.
4.- Jerry Sloan
With the franchise’s entry into the NBA in 1966, Sloan was selected in that year’s expansion draft by the Chicago team (after spending the previous year with the Washington Bullets), and definitely became one of the most iconic players within the franchise.
He would spend 10 of his 11-year career with the Central Division team, averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game, and won the team’s first (and only until the Jordan era) division title. He is remembered for his fierce defense and impeccable work on the boards. His shirt number, #4, was the first to be retired by the organization in its history.
Sloan’s track record: two All-Star Game selections, six All-Defensive Teams.
3.- Bob Love
The 6’3″ power forward entered the NBA with the Cincinnati Royals in 1966, but it wasn’t until he was traded to the Bulls in the 1968-1969 season that he would thrive as a player. In his nine seasons with the Bulls, he averaged 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 592 games. He would be the star on a team that always came up short on its way to the NBA Finals.
His number #10 would be the second retired shirt number in Chicago franchise history, and represented their biggest scoring star at the time.
Love’s track record: three All-Star Game selections, two All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive Team call-ups.
2.- Scottie Pippen
Pippen was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1987 NBA Prospect Draft and rapidly became a major component of the Bulls, originally creating an essential tandem with Horace Grant before his other colleague, Michael Jordan, persuaded him to be his primary training partner.
Pippen was the second star in all of the Chicago Bulls’ championships, the best individual defender on the team (even ahead of Jordan), and one of the most versatile offensive options, both to divert attention away from the Bulls’ shooting guard and to become the offense’s center when the latter was limited.
During Jordan’s career hiatus, Pippen even led the Bulls as a franchise player in the postseason, where he took them to the conference semifinals, only to be eliminated by the New York Knicks. In both seasons, he led the team in almost every statistical category.
He would be part of one of the greatest teams in NBA history, alongside Jordan and Dennis Rodman, posting a 72-10 regular season record and winning three more consecutive championships, bringing his total to six rings. In a 17-year career, he spent 12 with the Chicago franchise, averaging 17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.1 steals.
Pippen’s track record: seven All-Star Game selections, seven All-NBA teams, ten All-Defensive Team call-ups, all-time steals leader in 1995, six NBA championships.
1.- Michael Jordan
It isn’t surprising to find Jordan in first place, as he’s the finest player in Chicago Bulls history, without any doubt. The shooting guard is even considered the best player in the history of the sport, and it is undeniable that he was the figure who contributed the most to the globalization and popularity of the NBA during the 80s and 90s. Everyone knows who Michael Jordan is or has at least heard his name.
With a career that includes three retirements, the first due to his desire to pursue a career in professional baseball, Jordan was the biggest threat to any team during the era, as his absence became the main reason the Bulls failed to win more championships after winning three in a row (during 1991 and 1993), until his return in 1995.
This return was one of the most watched events in the history of the sport: he won three more championships in a row and brought his total to six, in addition to winning countless individual awards. Eventually, he ended his career as the player with the best scoring average in the history of the league, a mark that still stands to this day. Jordan finished his career with the Bulls in 1998, averaging 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game in 930 games played. Jordan is considered the most clutch player in history for his legendary postseason performances, and also holds the record for most points in a playoff game with 63.
The legacy of the 6-foot-8 shooting guard, who was the third overall pick in the 1984 draft for Chicago, is one of the greatest and most unmatched for an athlete in history. To this day, his name continues to be heard on every corner.
Jordan’s track record: five times MVP, 14 All-Star Game selections, 11 All-NBA Team selections, 9 times member of the All-Defensive Team, Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, Rookie of the Year in 1985, scoring leader in ten seasons, steals leader in three seasons and six NBA championships, being the MVP in the six NBA Finals he played.
