Chicago Bulls Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of

the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests

that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I

have decided to defy those odds. 

The Chicago Bulls entered the NBA in 1967, marking the third time

the NBA had a franchise in Chicago. Previously, there was the

Chicago Packers/Zephyrs, who are now the Washington Wizards

and Chicago Stags (1946-1950).

The peak time in franchise history was the 1990s, when the franchise

won six NBA titles in eight years including two threepeats (1991-1993;

1996-1998). Led on the court by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen

and coached by Phil Jackson, the Bulls were not only NBA royalty

but popularized the league on a global level. In between threepeats,

Jordan retired from the NBA and was trying his hand at Minor League

baseball. ESPN recently paid tribute to the Bulls of the Jordan era. It

was a ten-part documentary that chronicled the Bulls’ rise from

obscurity to NBA icon. 

The franchise has also had numerous playoff seasons as well as a

handful of fallow years, including six seasons following the dynasty

era. The Bulls have also had heated rivalries with the Detroit Pistons,

New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Today, I put together a Bulls Dream Team. There are some rigid

criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have

played for the Bulls for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions.

That means, no Dennis Rodman, even though he played a significant

role in the Bulls’ second threepeat (1996-1998). Rodman was only a

Bull for three seasons. 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs

to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is

all-encompassing from all eras.

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is

the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The

number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity

also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare

eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

For openers, the NBA has existed in seasons other than 1991-1998,

when the Bulls won their six titles. Translation, just because a player

was a Bull in that span, he is not automatically on this team.

Conversely, if a player shined during a non-championship

contending season, that is not a disqualifer. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,

after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the

franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t

just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would

remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask

yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starting five

Point guard: Derrick Rose

Much of Rose's legacy is “What could have been?” because of

troublesome knee injuries. Rose, however, put together enough of

a body of work in his seven seasons to belong in the starting lineup

on this team. During his time in a Bulls uniform, Rose averaged 17.9

points in 6.2 assists per game.

Rose was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2011. The Bulls won 62

games that season. He was also a three-time All-Star and All NBA

first team in 2011. Rose was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009. 

Shooting guard: Michael Jordan

Unless you’ve been banished to an igloo at the North Pole, you’ve

probably heard of this guy. Most people view Jordan has the best

player ever to don an NBA uniform. Jordan transcended the game

on and off the court and also has a brand of shoe named after him.

Jordan did all of that while compiling a Hall of Fame career and

delivering six NBA championships to a once downtrodden

franchise.  Even before the Bulls became NBA royalty in the 1990s,

Jordan was appointment television.

Jordan was a six-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time NBA MVP, 14-time

NBA All-Star, three-time NBA All-Star MVP, 10 time all NBA first team,

nine-time NBA all-defensive first-team and NBA Rookie of the Year

in 1985.  Jordan owns an NBA record 30.1 points per game and

33.4 in the playoffs. 

Small forward: Scottie Pippen

Pippen was the perfect Robin to Jordan's Batman. Like Jordan,

Pippen was a tremendous two-way player on the way to a Hall of

Fame career. Pippen was a solid scorer but his best role on offense

was as a facilitator. Defensively, he harassed many opponents like

a doberman.

Though Pippen went on to play for two more NBA teams after the

Bulls dynasty broke up, his best mark came in Chicago helping the

team to six NBA championships. Pippen was a seven-time All-Star,

NBA All-Star game MVP in 1994 and seven-time All NBA (three as

a first-teamer). Pippen was also a 10-time NBA All Defensive

selection (eight as a first-teamer). 

Power forward: Horace Grant

Grant was an underrated cog during the Bulls three-peat between

1991-1993. Though he eventually left the franchise as a free agent,

Grant was no less important to the Bulls establishing one of the best

dynasties in NBA history. Grant was solid defensively and a very

highly rated defensive player who is especially key during the Bulls

1992 championship run.

Grant’s lone All-Star season came in 1994 and two of his NBA All-

Defensive second team selections came in a Bulls uniform. Jordan

and Pippen greatness aside, a case could be made that the Bulls

don't win those three championships without Grant. In a Bulls

uniform, Grant averaged 12.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Center: Artis Gilmore

Gilmore is never mentioned among the NBA's all-time great centers

but five years of his 17-year career were more impactful with the

Bulls. Though Gilmore was known as a gentle giant, his game

packed a mean punch. The 7-foot-2 Gilmore was a dominant force

on the way to a Hall of Fame career.

During his time with the Bulls, he averaged a double-double with

19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game also with the Bulls,

Gilmore led the league in field-goal percentage twice. three of his

six All-Star Seasons came in Chicago.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Jimmy Butler:

Butler may lack the legacy of other Bulls all-time greats but his

competitiveness and willingness to hold teammates accountable

were Jordan-like. Butler played only six seasons with the Bulls with

three of them being all star campaigns and five being playoff

seasons. During his time in Chicago he averaged 15.6 points, 4.8

rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. This past season Butler led

the Miami Heat to an NBA Finals appearance before losing to the

Los Angeles Lakers.

Luol Deng:

The Bulls went through many peaks and valleys during Deng’s

years. The end of his time in Chicago overlapped the start of the

Derrick Rose era. Deng made two All-Star appearances during his

time with the Bulls along with NBA All-Rookie first team honors in

2005 and NBA All-Defensive second team honors in 2012. In a

Bulls uniform, Deng averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5

assists per game. 

Ben Gordon:

Gordon played a significant role in the franchise’s revival during the

mid-2000s. Between Jordan's last season in 1998 and Gordon's

first season in 2004, the Bulls had never won more than 30 games

in a season. In 2004-2005, the Bulls overcame a 3-14 start to win

47 games and return to the playoffs. Gordon was the NBA Sixth

Man of the Year and All Rookie first team in 2005. Gordon averaged

18.5 points 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during his time with the

Bulls.

Kirk Hinrich:

Hinrich is one of the more underrated players in the history of the

Bulls. He helped the franchise get back to being a playoff team in

the mid-2000s. Hinrich was NBA All Defensive second team in 2007

and NBA All Rookie first team in 2004. During his time with the Bulls,

Hinrich averaged 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

He was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. 

Bob Love:

From 1968-1976, Love flourished for the Bulls particularly under former

head coach Dick Motta. Love was the second Bulls player to have his

jersey number retired. Love was a three-time All-Star and two-time All

NBA second team. He was also a three-time All NBA second team

selection. During his time in a Bulls uniform, Love averaged 21.3 points

and 6.8 rebounds per game. 

Toni Kukoc:

In a sense, Kukoc was ahead of his time and that he played

positionless basketball before the term was popular. Kukoc had the

ability to play all five positions and was an excellent passer. Kukoc

helped the Bulls win three consecutive championships from 1996-

1998. He was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1996. In a Bulls

uniform, he averaged 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. 

Joakim Noah:

Noah was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. His sturdy

defense contributed to the Bulls returning to being among the elite

teams in the Eastern Conference. Both of Noah's All Star appearances

came in a Bulls uniform. He was also All NBA first-team and NBA

Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. He was All NBA Defensive

second team in 2001. In a Bulls uniform, Noah averaged 9.3 points,

9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 block shots. 

Jerry Sloan:

Most people know Sloan for his 23-year head coaching career with

the Utah Jazz. Sloan was one of the best coaches in NBA history

and is in the Hall of Fame but not just for his coaching prowess.

Sloan was nicknamed “The Original Bull” and was the first player

in franchise history to have his number retired. Sloan was a two-

time All-Star, four-time NBA all-defensive first-team and two more

as a second teamer. Sloan averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds,

2.6 assists and 2.2 steals. The same trademark intensity Sloan

was known for as a coach, he also demonstrated as a player. 

Reggie Theus:

He was known as “Rush Street Reggie” because of his social life.

Theus was the No. 9 overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft and made

an immediate impact in becoming NBA All Rookie first team. He

has spent five seasons with the Bulls and was an All-Star on two

occasions. In a Bulls uniform Theus averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 

assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. 

Chet Walker:

Walker was nicknamed “Chet the Jet” because of his speed and

agility. In Walker’s six seasons with the Bulls, he was an All-Star

three times. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Walker averaged

20.6 points per game, which is impressive considering he did it in

the pre 3-point shot era. 

Head coach: Phil Jackson

This is an easy choice and it's going to be a long time, if ever,

anything changes. Jackson is widely renowned and considered

the best coach in NBA history. Jackson led his team to 11 NBA

titles, six with the Bulls in an eight year span. Jackson is known

for his use of Tex Winter's Triangle Offense as well as a holistic

approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy

and became nicknamed “The Zen Master.” Jackson led the Bulls

to 545 career regular-season victories. The Bulls were 111-41 in

the postseason. Jackson also led the Bulls to a 72-10 season in

1996, best in NBA history until the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors

eclipse that record. That Warriors team, however, did not win the

NBA Title. 

Team: 1995-1996

While the 1990s Bulls have an embarrassment of riches of teams

to choose, this is a pretty easy one given the record-setting status.

This version of the Bulls was buoyed by the return of Jordan

after two years of playing baseball. The team also acquired

Rodman, who was a longtime nemesis as a Piston, from the San

Antonio Spurs. The Bulls were efficient offensively and stifling

defensively. After running roughshod through the regular season,

the Bulls went 15-3 in the postseason. They swept Miami in the

first round, defeated the New York Knicks and five games in the

semifinals, swept the Orlando Magic in the Conference Finals and

defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the NBA finals.