Glancing Back at the Legendary Chicago Bulls Dynasty

With the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected University of North Carolina junior Michael Jordan.

The 6'6" shooting guard had enjoyed a celebrated collegiate career in which he won both the Naismith Player of the Year and the Wooden Award as well as helping the Tar Heels capture a National Championship.

Analysts knew that Jordan would develop into a special player on the professional level, but no one predicted he would become the greatest basketball player of all time.

Jordan enjoyed a brilliant rookie season in Chicago. Averaging 28.2 points per game, he was voted as a starter for the 1985 All-Star game and was named Rookie of the Year.

Before the 1985-86 season, the Bulls signed former San Antonio Spurs guard John Paxson to team with Jordan in the backcourt. Paxson would emerge as a clutch shooter for the team.

At the 1987 draft, the Bulls selected Olden Polynice with the 8th overall pick and immediately traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics for Scottie Pippen, who was the 5th pick.

In addition, the Bulls took Horace Grant with the 10th overall pick.

Though Pippen and Grant were reserves during their rookie seasons, the two talented forwards would later move into the starting lineup and emerge as major contributors.

On the day before the 1988 draft, the Bulls traded young power forward Charles Oakley to the New York Knicks for veteran center Bill Cartwright. Serving as Patrick Ewing's backup in New York, Cartwright would instantly become the starter in Chicago.

During the 1989-90 season, the Bulls replaced head coach Doug Collins with assistant Phil Jackson. No one would have ever believed that the former CBA coach would one day become arguably the greatest coach in NBA history with ten championships.

In the 1989 draft, the Bulls selected University of Iowa point guard B.J. Armstrong with the 18th overall pick.

Armstrong would serve as a valuable reserve during his first three seasons before replacing Paxson as the starter in 1992-93.

After years of postseason disappointment, the Bulls captured their first ever championship in 1991 as they defeated Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Jordan was named Finals MVP.

In 1992, the Bulls captured their second consecutive title beating the Clyde Drexler-led Portland Trail Blazers in six games. Jordan once again won FInals MVP.

In 1993, the Bulls became just the second team in NBA history to three-peat by defeating Charles Barkley's Phoenix Suns in six games. Reserve guard John Paxson drilled the game-winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining.

And once again, Jordan was named Finals MVP.

After leading the Bulls to their third championship, Jordan announced his retirement. Only 30 years of age, Jordan went on to pursue a career in professional baseball due to the murder of his father.

Toni Kukoc made his debut with the Bulls in 1993-94. The Croatian forward was drafted by the Bulls in 1990, but had decided to play in Europe for a few years.

Although he backed up Pippen and Grant in his first season in Chicago, Kukoc averaged 10.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

With Jordan gone, Pippen stepped up as the go-to guy for the Bulls in 1993-94. Averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 steals, he finished third in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA First Team.

In addition, Grant and Armstong were selected to their first All-Star games. Armstrong was voted in as a starter and Grant was a reserve.

Although the Bulls won 55 games, they lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the New York Knicks in seven games.

In 1993-94, the Bulls signed Steve Kerr and traded former lottery pick Stacey King to the Minnesota Timberwolves for new starting center Luc Longley.

In the summer of 1994, Grant became a free agent and decided to sign with the Orlando Magic after seven productive seasons in Chicago.

Before the 1994-95 season, the Bulls signed former Los Angeles Clippers guard Ron Harper.

Jordan returned to the Bulls on March 19,1995, wearing number 45 as he scored 19 points versus the Indiana Pacers.

Before the 1995-96 season, the Bulls traded backup center Will Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs for former rebounding champ Dennis Rodman.

In 1995-96, the Bulls won a record-breaking 72 games and then capped the season off by beating Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and the Seattle SuperSonics to capture their fourth title.

In 1997, the Bulls won their second consecutive championship as they defeated Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.

In 1998, the Bulls beat the Jazz in the Finals once again for the championship and captured their second three-peat. Jordan hit the game winning shot over Bryon Russell in one of the most famous plays in sports history.

Bulls general manger Jerry Krause decided to dismantle the team following the 1997-98 season.

Jordan retired for the second time, Jackson left, Pippen was signed and traded to the Houston Rockets for Roy Rogers and a future second-round draft pick.

Rodman was not re-signed and was later picked up by the Lakers, Longley headed to Phoenix, and Kerr was shipped off to San Antonio where he won a championship in 1999.