The Chicago Bulls All-Time GOAT Pyramid

The Chicago Bulls are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. In 1966, the team was given the Bulls nickname, and many NBA greats made their way through the Windy City. They had their most dominant scratch during the 1990s when they were backed by the greatest player of all time and the greatest coach of all time. Outside of those 6 NBA championships, the Bulls have been a competitive team full of stars, and sometimes not so much.

Just as we did with the Los Angeles Lakers, today we will be placing the greatest basketball players in Bulls history into tiers. Now, we all know there is a clear-cut No. 1 and GOAT that sits alone at the top. The question will be if you agree with how the rest of the pyramid shapes out. Many NBA legends have called Chicago home, and many have donned the red and white/red and black with the utmost pride. The list of Bulls legends over the years will astonish you, and their placement on this list is warranted, as explained.

This is the Chicago Bulls’ all-time GOAT pyramid.

Tier 5

Bob Boozer, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Steve Kerr, Guy Rodgers, Dave Greenwood, Orlando Woolridge, Mickey Johnson, Charles Oakley, Ron Harper, John Paxon, Bill Cartwright, B.J. Armstrong, Elton Brand

Tier 5 kicks off with Bob Boozer, who played with the Chicago Bulls for 3 seasons from 1967 through 1969. Boozer was an All-Star once in his career, and that was in 1968 with the Bulls. The Bulls went to the playoffs twice with Boozer on the team but lost in the first round each time. Boozer’s only 20.0 PPG seasons of his career came in Chicago in 1968 and 1969. In his 3 seasons with Chicago, Boozer averaged 20.4 PPG and 8.7 RPG on 48.6% shooting.

The next Bull in Tier 5 is one of the famous Baby Bulls, Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich was never an All-Star with Chicago, but his timely playmaking and stellar defense provided for some big moments in a Bulls uniform. Hinrich led the Bulls to the playoffs in 4 out of 5 seasons from 2005 through 2009 and was a consistent 15.0 PPG and 6.0 APG threat. He made an All-Defensive Second Team in 2007 with Chicago and, overall, played 11 seasons with the Bulls in his 13-year career.

Ben Gordon was Kirk Hinrich’s backcourt partner for some time in Chicago. Gordon came in and right away made an impact his rookie season for the Bulls. Gordon appeared in all 82 games off the bench for Chicago during his rookie year. He averaged 15.1 PPG and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. Gordon would never be an All-Star, but he did peak at 21.4 PPG in 2007 with Chicago and 20.7 PPG in 2009.

Steve Kerr often gets a lot of credit for his role on the 90s Bulls, who won 3 titles with the Bulls from 1996 through 1998. He often gets a bit too much credit as far as his role goes as well. Yes, Kerr is the all-time leader in 3-point percentage. Kerr also never attempted more than 3.0 3-pointers per game in a season. Kerr was clutch more than once for the Bulls, though, and Michael Jordan trusted him in big moments as well. Kerr made 0 starts during his prime with the Bulls and averaged 8.2 PPG.

Guy Rodgers was a 12-year veteran of the NBA who spent parts of 2 seasons with the Chicago Bulls. In his only full season with the team in 1967, Rodgers was named an All-Star and led the NBA in assists. He averaged 18.0 PPG and 11.2 APG that season while leading the Bulls to only 33 wins. Rodgers was a 3-time All-Star before joining Chicago and oddly played only 85 games for them before being traded to the Royals for Flynn Robinson.

Dave Greenwood was a 6’9’’ power forward who played the first 6 seasons of his career with the Bulls. They would be Greenwood’s best seasons in the NBA overall, as he made All-Rookie First Team and averaged 12.6 PPG and 9.1 RPG with the Bulls. His best season would be his rookie one, as Greenwood averaged 16.3 PPG and 9.4 RPG for the 1979-80 campaign. Greenwood would win an NBA title with the Pistons in 1990 and retire after the 1991 season.

Orlando Woolridge is another player who got his start with the Chicago Bulls as a rookie in 1981-82. He would play with the Bulls through the 1985-86 season and never became an All-Star but had some great seasons with the team. In 1985, Woolridge averaged 22.9 PPG and 5.6 RPG for the Bulls. In 1986, he followed it up with 20.7 PPG and 5.0 RPG. Although considered by many to be an afterthought to the beginning of Jordan’s career in Chicago, Woolridge definitely earned his spot on the lower tiers of this list.

Mickey Johnson got his start with the Bulls during the mid-70s as a 6’10 power forward out of Aurora University. Johnson broke into the with little to no playing time in his first season for Chicago. He bloomed into a 15.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG player during his second season with the Bulls and did not slow down from there. His best season with Chicago came in 1977 and 1978, when he averaged 17.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG in ‘77 and 17.3 PPG and 9.1 RPG in ‘78. Johnson would go on to play for 4 more teams in his career and retire at the end of 1986.

Charles Oakley is best known for being an enforcer during his days with the Knicks in the 90s. Many forget how much of a force he was on defense and grabbing rebounds on both ends of the court. Oakley played just 3 seasons with Chicago from 1986 through 1988. In his second season, Oakley averaged 14.5 PPG and 13.1 RPG and followed that up the next year with 12.4 PPG and 13.0 RPG. Oakley wasn’t an All-Star with the Bulls but went on to earn one with the Knicks in 1994.

Many NBA fans remember Ron Harper as a problem on both ends of the court during his earlier years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the mid to late 90s with the Bulls, Harper was a key component to the Bulls’ final 3 championships. One thing that Harper undoubtedly brought to the court was his intense and elaborate defense. Harper and Jordan ran a perfect double-team on the perimeter as well, but most of the time, Harper picked up some challenging assignments on his own. Harper was the starting point guard for the final 3 titles from 1996 through 1998.

From 1986 through 1994, the man who was anointed the floor general position for the Bulls was John Paxon. He was the starting point guard in the first 3 NBA championships for Chicago and, although not much of a scorer, still provided decent value to those runs. Paxon was smart with the basketball and very limited in turnovers when on the court. He could pass and play a bit of defense as well, but the way he controlled the ball for Chicago was pivotal to success. You can see Cartwright provided more for the Bulls during those first 3 titles than he gets credit for.

B.J Armstrong was drafted by the Chicago Bulls at the perfect time. Armstrong broke into the NBA during the 1989-90 season and got his first take of heartbreak as a rookie when the Bulls were eliminated by Detroit in the playoffs. Armstrong kept developing under the tutelage of Jordan and Pippen while becoming one of the more talented bench players in the NBA. After contributing off the bench for 3 titles, he became an All-Star for the only time in 1994 when Jordan retired for the first time. Armstrong averaged 14.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 1.0 SPG that season to earn the selection.

Our final player in Tier 5 is a player who pretty much wanted no part of Chicago but made the most of it while he was there. Elton Brand was one of the more skilled big men in the low post out of anyone in basketball. Straight away, everyone knew Brand was going to be a force in the NBA for years to come. Brand won the 2000 Rookie of the Year with the Bulls averaging 20.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. He would play just 1 more year in Chicago but put up 20.1 PPG,10.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.6 BPG. Although brief, Brand’time in Chicago earns him the final spot on Tier 5 for the Bulls.

Tier 4

Jimmy Butler, Toni Kukoc, Zach LaVine, Horace Grant, Chet Walker, Luol Deng, Reggie Theus

Jimmy Butler has always been known as an impactful two-way player on the court, even in his younger days with the Chicago Bulls. Butler helped the Bulls to 5 playoff appearances in 6 seasons during his Bulls career. He made 3 straight All-Star teams from 2015 through 2017 as the Bulls’ No. 1 option on offense and their best perimeter defender. During his 3 All-Satr seasons with Chicago, Butler averaged 21.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG with a Most Improved Player award in 2015, 3 All-Defensive Second Team selections, and 1 All-NBA Third Team selection.

Toni Kukoc was as versatile as they came during the 1990s. He could be plugged into any rotations and asked to do any take and do it with extreme confidence and accuracy. He was a scorer, facilitator, and defender at a high level off the bench for Chicago during the second three-peat from 1996 through 1998. Kukoc was named the NBA’Sixth Man of the Year during their 72-win 1996 season with 13.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.5 APG. Kukoc was never an All-Star, but he can be considered the Bulls’ best international player in team history.

Known for his freak athleticism and rim-rocking dunks, Zach LaVine can also be considered as Tier 4 in the all-time Bulls GOAT pyramid. LaVine is currently in his 6th season with Chicago and went to back-to-back All-Star games in 2021 and 2022. He has improved as a shooter and all-around scorer, as well as a playmaker alongside teammate DeMar DeRozan. In 2021, LaVine averaged a career-high 27.4 PPG on 50.7% shooting from the field. He currently sits 3rd all-time for the Bulls in 30-point games with 75, 24 behind Bob Love, and over 400 behind Michael Jordan.

Horace Grant is someone who does not get enough credit for the first 3 NBA titles won from 1991 through 1993. Grant was great on both sides of the ball, but his specialty was his defense. Grant was named to 4 All-Defensive Teams due to his versatility on that side of the ball, willingness to get physical with bigs, and enough speed to keep up with smaller forwards and guards. Grant made an All-Sare game for the Bulls in 1994, and in his 7 seasons in Chicago, he averaged 12.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.1 BPG.

Chet Walker was a smooth and speedy forward for the Chicago Bulls during the last 6 seasons of his career. Walker never averaged less than 19.2 PPG and 5.0 RPG during his tenure with Chicago, even as he got older and wore down. Walker was named an All-Satr 4 out of 6 seasons with the Bulls and was an 85.4% free throw shooter, which was Top 10 in the NBA at the time. Walker and the Bulls battled their way to the playoffs every year with Walker on the court, making it past the first round twice.

It is one of the great injustices that Luol Deng is remembered for his horrible contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Deng spent the first 9 seasons of his career with the Bulls, where he developed into an all-around high-impact player. He could score, create for himself, defend, and make plays for himself and others on the floor. Deng earned back-to-back All-Satr appearances with the Bulls in 2012 and 2013 before being traded midway through 2014. In his 9-and-a-half seasons with Chicago, Deng averaged 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG. He was also selected to an All-Defensive Team in 2012 and helped the Bulls make the playoffs 6 times.

Reggie Theus is a Chicago legend for a variety of reasons. He was a high-energy and enthusiastic player who could score the basketball and facilitate among the best guards in basketball. Theus was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 1979 and the second-leading scorer for the Bulls behind Artis Gilmore. Theus would make 2 All-Star appearances for the Bulls in 1981 and 1983. During his 6 seasons in the Windy City, Theus averaged 18.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.3 SPG.

Tier 3

Norm Van Lier, Jerry Sloan, Artis Gilmore, Dennis Rodman, Joakim Noah

Norm Van Lier is quite easily one of the best Chicago Bulls of all time and a massive fan favorite. Chicago embraced Van Lier for his fiery nature and unwillingness to suppress his competitive nature. He was a defensive specialist Van Lier played 7 of his 10 NBA seasons with the Bulls from 1972 through 1978. He earned 3 All-Star selections, 1 All-NBA Team selection and was an All-Defensive Team member all 7 years with the Bulls.

Van Lier’s backcourt teammate for 5 seasons from 72 through 76, but Sloan was pretty much a Bull for life. Out of 11 professional seasons, Sloan played 10 in Chicago, where he became a 2-time All-Star and a 6-time All-Defensive Team selection. Sloan was a consistent scorer and rebounder who made opponents’ lives miserable with his relentless defense. In his career with the Bulls, Sloan averaged 14.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 2.2 SPG. Sloan’s jersey was the first one retired in Bulls’ history.

Artis Gilmore is the greatest center in Chicago Bulls’ history. Known as the “A Train,” Gilmore was an avid scorer around the rim and one of the best rim protectors in basketball during his prime. Gilmore played just 6 seasons with the Bulls from 1977 through 1982, where he became a 4-time All-Star and earned 1 All-Defensive Team selection. Had Gilmore never gone to the ABA before joining the Bulls, he may be considered one of the greatest bigs in NBA history.

Many people may look at this pyramid and think that Dennis Rodman should be Tier 2 right alongside Scottie Pippen. Here is the thing. Dennis Rodman is one of the best defenders to step on the basketball court. He could legitimately guard every position on the court without issue. He also took the art of rebounding the ball to a near-psychopathic level and became one of the best at that as well. Rodman’s peak seasons came before he arrived in Chicago. Yes, he helped them win 3 NBA titles but on the level of Pippen and Jordan? Not quite.

The final player to round out Tier 3 is another defensive mastermind as a big man in the NBA, Joakim Noah. For years, Noah was the heart and soul of the Bulls, that often made big plays with even bigger reactions to fire up the hometown crowd. He feared no one on the court and went toe-to-toe with anyone who opposed him for any reason. Noah made 2 All-Star teams with the Bulls in 2013 and 2014 and was also named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. His 3 All-Defensive Team selections and 1 All-NBA Team selection came with Chicago for his efforts as one of the best interior defenders in the game.

Tier 2

Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Bob Love

Tier 2 is where we enter the near-superstar/superstar realm in Bulls history. What better way to kick off Tier 2 than with the man who helped Michael Jordan and the Bulls win 6 NBA championships? Scottie Pippen can be honored as the best No. 2 option in NBA history, considering, in many ways, he could have been a No. 1 if Michael Jordan didn’t exist. Pippen was a versatile scorer, playmaker, and one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history. Along with his 6 NBA titles, Pippen also earned 7 All-Star appearances, 7 All-NBA Team selections, and 10 All-Defensive Team selections.

The story of Derrick Rose’s career is one of tragedy and triumph. Rose burst onto the scene with the Bulls in 2008-09 and quickly put the NBA on notice. He cruised to a Rookie of the Year win, and by the next season, he was an All-Star. Rose would then become the NBA’s youngest MVP winner ever in 2011 when he averaged 25.0 PPG, 7.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG. His career with the Bulls was derailed after an ACL tear in the 2012 playoffs but what he accomplished puts him in the upper echelon of Bulls superstars over the years.

The final spot in Tier 2 of the Chicago Bulls’ all-time GOAT pyramid has to go to Bob Love. For 8 and a half seasons, Love became one of the best players in Bulls history. He was a versatile forward who could shoot and finish with either hand on the floor, which propelled him to multiple 20.0 PPG seasons or better. Love made 3 straight All-Satr teams with the Bulls from 1971 through 1973 and was also named to 2 All-NBA Teams as well as 3 All-Defensive Teams. Love revolutionized the power forward position with the Bulls as a scorer from that spot, as he possessed the size of a power forward but the speed and skills of a guard.

Tier 1

Michael Jordan

As much as I would hate to make this all about one man but when that man is Michael Jordan, you tend to make an exception. Michael Jordan holds just about every scoring record in Bulls history, as well as a few as far as NBA history goes. Jordan led the Bulls to 6 NBA championships in the 1990s, which came to the tune of 2 separate 3-peats. He also was named MVP 5 times and a scoring champion 10 times which is an NBA record. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and led the NBA in steals 3 times. As a Bull, Jordan was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and 9-time All-Defensive Team selection, and won all 6 Finals MVPs in the championships the team won. Not only does Jordan stand alone atop the Chicago Bulls hierarchy, but the same also goes for his place in NBA history overall.

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