- The Chicago Bulls have won six NBA championships in their 58-year history
- Michael Jordan is the only player in Bulls history with multiple MVP awards and multiple Finals MVP awards
- Derrick Rose is the only MVP in Chicago Bulls history other than Michael Jordan
As far as organizations in the NBA go, few have had the success that the Chicago Bulls have had in their 58-year history. The Bulls have won six NBA championships, made 37 playoff appearances, and have an overall record of 2,344-2,254 for a winning percentage of 51.0%. Of course, they are one of the most recognizable brands in NBA history as well thanks to the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan.
Just as we have done with teams such as the Heat, Warriors, Celtics, and Lakers, it is time that we comb through Chicago’s rich history and rank the five greatest players to play every position. This will solely be based on what each player accomplished in a Bulls uniform in regards to NBA history so what they did on other teams or in the ABA have no bearing on their place, or lack thereof, on our list.
As far as players within Chicago Bulls history, there have been plenty that are worthy of selection here today. Now, let’s see if they made the cut.
These are the five greatest players in the history of the Chicago Bulls by position.
The 5 Greatest Point Guards In Chicago Bulls History
1. Derrick Rose
– 1x MVP, 1x Rookie Of The Year, 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection
2. Norm Van Lier
– 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection, 7x All-Defensive Team Selection
3. Kirk Hinrich
– 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
4. Reggie Theus
– 2x All-Star
5. Ron Harper
– 3x NBA Champion
The point guard position is a deep and impressive one in Chicago Bulls history. Their greatest point guard is one whose career we barely got to see get going before injury struck it down. Derrick Rose was named both Rookie of the Year and the NBA’s youngest MVP ever in 2011 when he averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Rose made three All-Star teams in his first four seasons with the team as well before tearing his ACL during the 2012 NBA playoffs and again in 2014, cutting one of the most explosive and athletic point guards in NBA history’s career well short of what it could have been.
Norm Van Lier is one of the greatest defensive point guards in NBA history. Van Lier played with the Bulls from 1972 through 1978 where he went on to earn three All-Star selections and seven All-Defensive Team selections. From 1973 through 1977, Van Lier averaged 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Van Lier would make five trips to the playoffs with the Bulls including two trips to the Conference Finals in 1974 and 1975.
When the name Kirk Hinrich comes up in Bulls history, he is certainly referred to as a fan-favorite. Hinrich was the epitome of hustle and heart on the court and one of the better defensive playmaking guards in team history. Hinrich ranks top 10 in Bulls history in points, assists, and steals as well, and he was the face of the Baby Bulls teams that rose to relevancy during the 2000s.
Reggie Theus was the Bulls’ starting point guard every season from 1979 through 1984. During his time with the Bulls, Theus made two All-Star appearances and averaged 18.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite his great play, Theus made the playoffs just one time with Chicago in 1981 which resulted in a second-round sweep by the Celtics after they had already swept the New York Knicks in round one.
Ron Harper was a defensive mastermind with the Chicago Bulls from 1995 through 1999. During this time, Harper was no longer the two-way star he once was with Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers but his defense remained incredibly valuable to Chicago’s success. Harper started every game of the Bulls’ second three-peat as NBA champions from 1996 through 1998 and averaged 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in his time in Chicago.
The 5 Greatest Shooting Guards In Chicago Bulls History
1. Michael Jordan
– 6x NBA Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 5x MVP, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Rookie Of The Year, 12x All-Star, 3x All-Star Game MVP, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection
2. Jerry Sloan
– 2x All-Star, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection
3. Jimmy Butler
– 1x Most Improved Player, 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection
4. Zach LaVine
– 2x All-Star
5. Ben Gordon
– 1x Sixth Man Of The Year
What can there be said about the GOAT that hasn’t already been said? Michael Jordan brought relevancy of never-before-seen levels to both the NBA and the Bulls, making them one of the most recognizable brands in the entire world. Jordan set records as a six-time NBA champion and an NBA record six-time Finals MVP with Chicago by way of two separate three-peats. Jordan is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive First Team in the same season, and he did it four times. There has never been a more iconic player in NBA or Chicago Bulls history and to have him at any other spot than number-one would probably cost me my job.
Jerry Sloan, yes, the former head coach of the Utah Jazz Jerry Sloan, is one of the greatest defensive guards in NBA history. Sloan played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons with the Bulls from 1967 through 1976 where he would become an All-Star twice and a member of the All-Defensive team six times. Sloan averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in his Bulls career, leading them to the Conference Finals in both 1974 and 1975.
Jimmy Butler began his career as the 30th overall pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2011 NBA Draft. Butler would spend six seasons in Chicago where he took the reins of the team after the injury to Derrick Rose as a young and rising star. In 2015, Butler earned the Most Improved Player award as well as his first of three All-Star appearances with the team. Overall in his Bulls career, Butler averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while heading to the NBA playoffs five times including two trips to the second round.
Zach LaVine has been a member of the Chicago Bulls since the 2017-18 season in which he was traded from Minnesota in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler out of town. In six seasons with the team, LaVine has earned both of his career All-Star appearances and has become the Bulls’ best scorer since Michael Jordan left town in 1999. LaVine has averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in 349 games played in his time in Chicago.
The final shooting guard on our list is none other than former Sixth Man of the Year Ben Gordon. Gordon was the Bulls’ third overall pick in 2004 and went on to win Sixth Man of the Year as a rookie averaging 15.1 points per game in 82 games played. Gordon would play five seasons with the Bulls averaging 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game before being dealt to the Detroit Pistons in 2009.
The 5 Greatest Small Forwards In Chicago Bulls History
1. Scottie Pippen
– 6x NBA Champion, 7x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 8x All-Defensive Team Selection
2. Bob Love
– 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection
3. Chet Walker
– 4x All-Star
4. Toni Kukoc
– 3x NBA Champion, 1x Sixth Man Of The Year
5. Luol Deng
– 2x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
As far as talent goes, the small forward position is oozing with it when it comes to the Chicago Bulls. Easily the greatest small forward in team history is six-time NBA champion and Michael Jordan’s best teammate, Scottie Pippen. Acquired on draft night in one of the most lopsided trades ever, Pippen would go on to become one of the greatest two-way stars in NBA history for the Bulls during the 1990s. He averaged 17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in 12 seasons with the Bulls while helping them win six NBA championships and have some of the greatest seasons by a team in NBA history.
Butterbean Bob Love was a member of the Chicago Bulls from 1968 through 1977 and is always brought up at the forefront of the greatest players in Bulls history conversations. Love earned three All-Star appearances with the Bulls during the 1970s and averaged 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game in nine seasons with the team. He helped them reach the Conference Finals in 1974 and 1975 as well as six playoff appearances overall.
Chet Walker is another one of the greatest players in Chicago Bulls history who played the small forward position. Walker was a member of the Bulls from 1970 through 1975 which were arguably the greatest teams in franchise history before the 90s rolled around. In six seasons with Chicago, Walker made four All-Star appearances and averaged 20.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on 48.3% shooting.
Toni Kukoc came late to the party in the 1990s with the Bulls, making his debut during the 1993-94 season. He would go on to play seven seasons with the team through 2000, winning three NBA championships from 1996-1998. Kukoc would have his best season in 1996 when he averaged 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game as the Bulls won 72 games and Kukoc won Sixth Man of the Year honors.
Many remember Luol Deng for his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers being one of the worst in NBA history. Well, before that debacle, Deng was a versatile All-Star forward with the Bulls from 2005 through 2014. Deng would make back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2013 and 2014 averaging 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Deng would play 10 seasons with Chicago averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game overall while making six playoff appearances overall including a Conference Finals appearance in 2011.
The 5 Greatest Power Forwards In Chicago Bulls History
1. Dennis Rodman
– 3x NBA Champion, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
2. Horace Grant
– 3x NBA Champion, 1x All-Star
3. Elton Brand
– 1x Rookie Of The Year
4. Charles Oakley
– N/A
5. Carlos Boozer
– N/A
We go from one of the most loaded positions in Bulls history with small forwards to one of the weakest with power forwards. Anybody who watched the Bulls during the late 1990s knows what Dennis Rodman meant to the Chicago Bulls’ second three-peat regardless of stats. Rodman was an elite and versatile defender who won three straight rebounding titles in his time with the Bulls and helped them win three straight NBA championships from 1996-1998. Rodman averaged 5.2 points and 15.3 rebounds per game in his tenure with the Bulls easily making him the greatest power forward in team history.
Not far behind Rodman, however, is a forgotten star in Bulls history. Horace Grant was another defensively-minded power forward who helped them win three straight championships from 1991 through 1993. Horace Grant was the Bulls’ 10th overall draft pick in 1987 and went on to play seven seasons with the team through 1994. Grant averaged 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in his career with the team and earned the only All-Star selection of his career in 1994 before leaving for the Orlando Magic.
Elton Brand’s stay with the Bulls was short but sweet after they made him their first overall pick in 1999. Brand won the 2000 Rookie of the Year award averaging 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on 48.2% shooting. He would play 74 games with them in 2001 as well and was nearly an All-Star with 20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. He would be traded to the Clippers after the 2001 season but his two years with the Bulls are still talked about in a good light today.
Charles Oakley is another great Bulls power forward whose time with the team was just three seasons long. Oakley was the ninth overall pick of the Bulls in 1985 and remained with the team through 1988. Oakley would average 10.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game in four seasons with Chicago and is well-known as one of their greatest defenders in team history.
The final power forward in our top-five in Bulls history is Carlos Boozer. While Boozer was already past his All-NBA and All-Star days in Utah, he was still an impactful forward who helped the Bulls navigate tough times during the 2010s. Boozer played with the Bulls from 2011 through 2014 where he averaged 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 49.1% shooting and helped the team reach the Conference Finals in 2011.
The 5 Greatest Centers In Chicago Bulls History
1. Artis Gilmore
– 4x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection
2. Joakim Noah
– 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection
3. Bill Cartwright
– 3x NBA Champion
4. Tom Boerwinkle
– N/A
5. Luc Longley
– 3x NBA Champion
When it comes to centers in the history of the Bulls, the race for the greatest comes down to two players. At the top is one of the greatest 7-footers in NBA history, Artis Gilmore. Coming over to the Bulls in 1976-77 after the NBA-ABA merger, Gilmore would play seven seasons with the Bulls through 1982. He would also join the team again in 1988 for 24 games. In his career with the Bulls, Gilmore made four All-Star teams and averaged 19.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while helping the team earn two trips to the playoffs.
Joakim Noah definitely has a case to be considered the greatest center in team history. He is the only center to be named an All-Star or Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he earned in 2014. Noah played nine seasons with the team from 2008 through 2016 averaging 9.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game He helped the Bulls make a total of seven playoff appearances including a trip to the Conference Finals in 2011.
Despite the undeniable greatness of the first two centers on our list, Bill Cartwright is the first center on our list to win an NBA championship with the team. Cartwright played six seasons with the Bulls from 1989 through 1994, aiding in their first three-peat as champions from 1991 through 1993. Cartwright averaged 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his tenure with the team and was as tough as they came on the defensive side of the ball.
Tom Boerwinkle is one of the few Chicago lifers in any position on our list. Boerwinkle played a total of 10 seasons with the Bulls averaging 7.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Although he lacks individual accolades, his lifelong dedication to the franchise cannot be denied. Boerwinkle was a member of the 1974 and 1975 Conference Finals teams and averaged over 10.0 rebounds per game five times with the team.
The final center on our list of the greatest centers in Bulls history is another three-time NBA champion, Luc Longley. After two and a half seasons with the Timberwolves from 1992 through 1994, Longley came over to Chicago in a trade for Stacey King. Longley would help the Bulls win three straight NBA titles from 1996 through 1998. In his career with the team that ended after the 1998 title, Longley averaged 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game and became an icon in his home country of Australia.
