The Chicago Bulls are entering their 53rd season in the NBA. Chicago has made 35 playoff appearances with six championships during their existence. Of course, those six championships were won over an eight-year stretch in the 1990’s. The 1995-96 Bulls held the NBA record for most wins in a season (72) until the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors broke it with a 73-9 record. This franchise has most certainly had its share of great players over the years. With that being said, here are the top five Chicago Bulls players in history.
5) Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan might surprise some people by coming in at number five on the top five players in Chicago Bulls history list. Undoubtedly, he is best known for his coaching abilities from his days as the Utah Jazz head coach. Turns out, Sloan was certainly a heck of a player who spent 10 of his 11 total seasons as a Chicago Bull. He was very consistent each year as a scorer and rebounder during his time in Chicago. Additionally, he shined on the defensive end for the Bulls.
Accolades with the Bulls: Two-time All-Star, six-time NBA All-Defensive Team
Stats with the Bulls: 14.7 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game. 43% from the field
Franchise Ranks: 4th most games played, 5th in rebounds, 5th in points, 2nd in steals per game, 1st in defensive rating, 3rd in defensive win shares, 10th in total win shares
4) Chet Walker
Chet Walker is fourth on the top five players in Chicago Bulls history list. Walker spent the first seven years of his career balling out for the 76ers. Then, the Hall of Fame forward arrived in Chicago for the 1969-70 season. Walker took his game to another level with the Bulls, establishing himself as a 20 points per game scorer while demonstrating great all-around ability.
Accolades with the Bulls: Four-time All-Star
Stats with the Bulls: 20.6 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game. 48% from the field, 85% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 6th in points, 4th in points per game, 6th in player efficiency rating, 5th in defensive rating, 3rd in offensive win shares, 3rd in total win shares, 2nd win shares per 48 minutes, 2nd in offensive box plus/minus
3) Artis Gilmore
Hall of Fame center Artis Gilmore registers at number three on the top five players in Chicago Bulls history list. Gilmore played seven of his 18 seasons in Chicago, thus furthering his amazing career as a nightly double-double threat. Certainly, he was extremely versatile as well as durable. He demonstrated that durability by playing in all 82 games during six of his seven seasons in Chicago. In addition to being an unstoppable offensive player, he displayed dominance on the defensive end.
Accolades with the Bulls: Four-time All-Star, one time NBA All-Defensive Team
Stats with the Bulls: 19.3 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, 2.1 blocks per game. 59% from the field
Franchise Ranks: 6th in rebounds, 1st in blocks, 7th in points, 1st in FG %, 8th in points per game, 4th in rebounds per game, 1st in blocks per game, 3rd in player efficiency rating, 1st in true shooting %, 2nd in effective FG %, 8th in offensive rating, 4th in offensive win shares, 4th in total win shares, 3rd in win shares per 48 minutes, 4th in box plus/minus, 4th in offensive box plus/minus, 3rd in value over replacement
2) Scottie Pippen
This should come as no surprise. Scottie Pippen checks in at number two on the top five players in Chicago Bulls history list. Long regarded as one of the best players in NBA history, he played alongside Michael Jordan until the breakup of the Bulls dynasty after their sixth championship. Pippen undoubtedly could do it all, score, defend, rebound and pass!
Accolades with the Bulls: Seven-time All-Star, Seven-time All NBA, 8-time NBA All-Defensive Team, one time steals champ, six-time NBA champ, 1993-94 All-Star Game MVP
Stats with the Bulls: 17.7 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game. 48% from the field, 33% from three
Franchise Ranks: 2nd most games played, 3rd in made three-pointers, 3rd in rebounds, 2nd in assists, 2nd in steals, 4th in blocks, 2nd in points, 6th in assists per game, 3rd in steals per game, 5th in player efficiency rating, 2nd in offensive win shares, 2nd in defensive win shares, 2nd in total win shares, 2nd in box plus/minus, 5th in offensive box plus/minus, 10th in defensive box plus/minus, 2nd in value over replacement
1) Michael Jordan
Well, this certainly seems obvious. Michael Jordan clearly is first on the top five players in Chicago Bulls history. Jordan led the NBA in scoring during 10 of his 13 seasons in Chicago. More than that, however, he was just such a fantastic all-around player. Jordan simply wanted to take your heart out, replace it and remove it yet again. MJ is still the greatest of all time in NBA history. Not much else can or should be said. Time to admire the numbers.
Accolades with the Bulls: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All NBA, nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team, five-time NBA MVP, 1984-85 Rookie of the Year, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, six-time NBA champ, six-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time All-Star Game MVP, 10-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ
Stats with the Bulls: 31.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game. 51% from the field, 33% from three, 84% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: Most games played, 4th in made threes, 1st in rebounds, 1st in assists, 1st in steals, 2nd in blocks, 1st in points, 1st in points per game, 5th in assists per game, 1st in steals per game, 1st in player efficiency rating, 7th in true shooting %, 3rd in offensive rating, 1st in offensive win shares, 1st in defensive win shares, 1st in total win shares, 1st in win shares per 48 minutes, 1st in box plus/minus, 1st in offensive box plus/minus, 1st in value over replacement
Others considered: Horace Grant, Reggie Theus, Jimmy Butler, Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng.
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Stats acquired via https://www.basketball-reference.com/
