The Chicago Bulls have a rich history with six NBA titles and five other appearances in the conference finals. Overall, the franchise has made the postseason 35 times in its 53 season history. On top of that, the Chicago Bulls have arguably one of the greatest all-time rosters in NBA history.
All-Time Chicago Bulls Starting Five
Point Guard – Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose didn’t have the longevity of some of the other Bulls greats. However, he was impactful in a short time.
Rose only got to play in seven seasons with his hometown Bulls, missing the full 2012-13 season rehabbing an ACL tear. However, in that time he averaged 19.7 points per game and 6.2 assists per game.
During that time, Rose made three All-Star games, won Rookie of the Year in the 2008-09 season and won MVP in 2010-11 before the injuries started to pile up. Had it not been for injuries, Rose would be viewed as a no question all-time great Chicago Bull.
Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan
This one is a no-brainer. Michael Jordan is largely viewed as the greatest player to ever step foot on an NBA floor. And frankly, the numbers back it up.
The only season Jordan didn’t make an All-Star game while he was a member of the Bulls was 1994-95 when he only played in 17 games after coming out of retirement. Jordan won 10 scoring titles, was on the All-Defensive team nine times, won 1984-85 Rookie of the Year, and of course, led the Bulls to a 6-0 record in NBA Finals with Jordan winning Finals MVP each time.
Not only is Jordan viewed as the greatest of all-time, but he has a brand of shoe named after him. Along with that brand, is a depiction of his 1988 dunk from the free-throw line in the 1988 Dunk Contest.
It’s no debate that Jordan is the most impactful player in NBA history. Both on the court and in the sneaker game.
Small Forward – Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen is viewed as a top-50 player of all-time by most. However, he’s still underrated when it comes to those Bulls teams.
Pippen is one of the top two-way players in league history. He made 10 All-Defensive teams while averaging 17.7 points per game as a Bull. Pippen also made six straight All-Star Games from 1991-92 to 1996-97.
Not only is Pippen a top two-way player all-time, but he’s the second-best player in franchise history.
Power Forward – Horace Grant
An unheralded piece on four of the Chicago Bulls’ title-winning teams, Horace Grant is one of the more productive players in franchise history.
Grant only made one All-Star game, but he averaged 12.6 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game as a member of the Bulls. Grant was also a highly rated defender and led the NBA Playoffs in defensive box plus/minus in the Bulls’ 1992 title run.
An argument could be made the Bulls don’t win the titles they did without the versatility of Grant. On top of his points and rebounds per game, he averaged 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game as a member of the Bulls.
Center – Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore was ahead of his time. He’s not viewed as one of the top centers of all-time, but when it comes to the numbers, he should be in that conversation. Standing at 7’2″, Gilmore averaged 19.3 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game during his career in Chicago.
As a member of the Bulls, Gilmore led the league in field goal percentage twice, but in his career, he led the league in that category six times.
Gilmore was a dominant force, being All-NBA five times and making 11 All-Star Games. It’s no surprise Gilmore finds himself in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and on the Chicago Bulls all-time team.
Bench
Point Guard – Kirk Hinrich
Kirk Hinrich is unheralded when it comes to the all-time history of the Bulls franchise. Many people wouldn’t view him as one of the top players in franchise history, but he is when it comes to the numbers.
Hinrich was a key part of a good part of franchise history. when he was there the team was a perennial playoff team before Derrick Rose started suffering countless injuries.
Shooting Guard – Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan is most known for his work as the head coach of the Utah Jazz. However, he was a very good player as a member of the Bulls in the late-’60s to the mid-’70s. It was before the three-point line was introduced, but Sloan averaged 14.7 points per game during his time in Chicago.
Sloan was also a great defender, making six All-Defensive teams. Along with that, he averaged 7.7 rebounds per game while in Chicago, impressive numbers from a guard.
The former Bulls player and Jazz coach is a member of the Hall of Fame, but it’s not just for his coaching acumen.
Small Forward – Chet Walker
Much like Sloan, Chet Walker played before the three-point line was introduced. Despite no three-point line, Walker was still able to average 20.6 points per game as a member of the Bulls.
Walker also averaged 6.1 rebounds per game as a member of the Bulls and shot 48.3 percent. It would be interesting to see the numbers Walker would have if the three-point line was in play.
Power Forward – Luol Deng
Luol Deng receives a lot of criticism for the contract he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Deng was a very good player as a member of the Bulls.
The end of Deng’s Bulls career coincided with the beginning of Derrick Rose’s career, and that made for some dangerous teams. In the season Rose won MVP, Deng averaged 17.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game on a team that won 62 games.
In the next two seasons, Deng made All-Star games. The team also won 50 games (in a shortened 66 game season), and then dropped to 45 wins the next season, but still won a playoff series.
Chicago never won anything significant while Deng was in Chicago. However, they had some very good teams and if it weren’t for injuries, they would’ve had some great battles with the Miami Heat.
Center – Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman is a complicated figure in NBA history. Rodman lived a crazy life while in the NBA, and perhaps a crazier life in retirement.
Opinions range on Rodman, but his production is undeniable. Rodman had a short stint in Chicago, lasting only three seasons. However, during that time, he led the league in rebounding each season, averaging 15.3 rebounds per game in his Chicago days.
The team also won a lot during that time, winning the NBA title each season. While Rodman didn’t have a long stint in Chicago, he is one of the best players in franchise history and deserves a spot on the Chicago Bulls all-time team.
Main Photo
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