Chicago Bulls Best Player of Each Season After the Michael Jordan Era

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After Michael Jordan left the Chicago Bulls in 1998, there have been some pretty big shoes to fill in the Windy City.

Six championships and five MVP awards are tough for anyone to follow, so by no means was it a simple task for whoever stood next.

The Chicago Bulls have gone through many different players, along with many bad seasons. Nonetheless, they have always had one player who was at least worth watching.

The Chicago Bulls have found their new superstar, Derrick Rose, so the 12-year contender drought has finally come to an end.

Since the Jordan-era ended, many different players have taken their turn being the face of this historical franchise. These are the players who have taken the chance over the last 12 years.

1998-99

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Player: Toni Kukoc

Stats: 18.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 5.3 APG

Why: The first season after Jordan retired was shortened due the lockout. The Chicago Bulls, by no one's surprise, had a horrible season, with a record of 13-37. Toni Kukoc, a valued piece of the second three-peat, was the player to carry the Bulls after everything fell apart. Kukoc had good numbers, but the team just was nothing without Jordan, Jackson and Pippen.

Awards: None

Where they are now: After a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kukoc has been retired for quite some time.

1999-00

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Player: Elton Brand

Stats: 20.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 48.2 percent Field Goal

Why: Due to the Bulls being pathetic following Jordan's retirement, they landed the No. 1 pick of the 1999 NBA Draft. With that pick, they took Elton Brand, the Duke standout. Brand easily took things over as a rookie and was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year award for the Bulls since Michael Jordan.

Awards: Rookie of the Year

Where they are now: The Bulls traded Brand to the Los Angeles Clippers after two seasons. Now, he finds himself in Philadelphia.

2000-01

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Player: Elton Brand

Stats: 20.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 47.6 percent Field Goal

Why: Following his Rookie of the Year campaign, Elton Brand continued his success into his sophomore season. Brand put up similar numbers, but still, the Chicago Bulls' young core was not mature enough to make an impact in the league. The Chicago Bulls were the worst scoring team in the league despite Brand's 20.1 PPG. Even though Brand had great success, general manager Jerry Krause sought change following the season.

Awards: None

Where they are now: Brand was traded after this season for the rights of Tyson Chandler. As previously stated, he is now in Philadelphia. 

2001-02

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Player: Marcus Fizer

Stats: 12.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 43.8 percent Field Goal

Why: Fizer is on this list because he was the most consistent Bull during a year of big moves. Even though Jalen Rose came in and scored big for the Bulls, it was only for 30 games.

Awards: None

Where they are now: After a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Fizer has been retired for a few years now.

2002-03

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Player: Jalen Rose

Stats: 22.1 PPG, 4.8 APG and 40.6 percent Field Goal

Why: Jalen Rose became the face of the Chicago Bulls in 2002-03. He easily led the team in scoring, and he was a bright spot on the team after they departed with talent like Ron Artest and Brad Miller. With a very young team, Rose was looked to bring in veteran leadership.

Awards: None

Where they are now: Rose stuck around for a little longer, joining the Raptors and Knicks over the years. Now he finds himself on ESPN, and he still shows favoritism towards the Bulls even though he was only in Chicago for a total of two seasons.

2003-04

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Player: Jamal Crawford

Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.1 APG and 38.6 percent Field Goal

Why: After the Chicago Bulls parted ways with Jalen Rose in the begining of 2003, Jamal Crawford became the primary scorer on the Bulls. The Bulls relied on Crawford so much that he shot the ball 478 more times then the next leader in field goal attempts, Eddy Curry.

Awards: None

Where they are now: Jamal Crawford now plays for the Atlanta Hawks. He has been a fan favorite to possibly fill the much needed shooting guard slot in Chicago for next season.

2004-05

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Player: Ben Gordon

Stats: 15.1 PPG, 40.8 percent three-point and 41.1 percent Field Goal

Why: Ben Gordon was the Chicago Bulls leading scorer in 2004-05. He also was just a rookie. Gordon came in and filled a big hole at shooting after the move of Jamal Crawford. Gordon only started three games the entire season, but he was by far the biggest impact player for the Bulls.

Awards: 2004-05 Sixth Man of the Year.

Where they are now: Ben Gordon now plays for the Detroit Pistons, where injuries have slowed him down. He has not seen the same success as he did in Chicago.

2005-06

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Player: Kirk Hinrich

Stats: 15.9 PPG, 6.3 APG and 41.8 percent Field Goal

Why: Captain Kirk may have not been the Bulls' leading scorer in 2005-06, but he was the biggest impact player on both sides of the ball. Known for his gritty defense, Hinrich was one tough guard to get past at the top of the key. Hinrich also was a good passer, and generally a solid player game in and out. He started 81 of the 81 games he played.

Awards: None

Where they are now: Kirk Hinrich had a short stint with the Washington Wizards but was traded before the trade deadline to the Atlanta Hawks.

2006-07

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Player: Luol Deng

Stats: 18.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG and 51.7 percent Field Goal

Why: Yet again, Ben Gordon was the Bulls leading scorer. Luol Deng was the the Bulls' best player. This was Deng's big year. He started all 82 games, and it seemed like he was finally fulfilling his potential and it was why he received his big contract following the next season. Deng was a much more efficient player then Gordon, even though he scored three less points a game. 

Awards: None

Where they are now: Deng is still a main piece to the Chicago Bulls and was their No. 2 scorer in 2010-11.

2007-08

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Player: Ben Gordon

Stats: 18.6 PPG, 3.0 APG and 3.1 RPG

Why: Ben Gordon once again was having a big season in Chicago. In Scott Skiles last season, the Chicago Bulls were going nowhere. Gordon, though, was the only bright spot of the team, as he continued to shoot the ball at will and lead the Bulls in scoring. With injuries to players like Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, Gordon was the primary scorer with Hinrich.

Awards: None

Where they are now: As previously stated, Gordon is with the Detroit Pistons.

2008-09

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Player: Ben Gordon

Stats: 20.1 PPG, 41.0 percent Three-Point Field Goals and 45.5 percent Field Goal

Why: Although Derrick Rose did win Rookie of the Year this season, it was tough to really put him above Ben Gordon. Gordon scored 338 more points then Rose while also scoring 24.3 PPG in the playoffs compared to Rose's 19.7. This was Gordon's last hurrah in Chicago, and many knew he was not going to be offered back after the Bulls extended Luol Deng before the season got under way.

Awards: None

Where they are now: He is with the Pistons if you didn't know by now.

2009-10

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Player: Derrick Rose

Stats: 20.1 PPG, 6.0 APG and 48.9 percent Field Goal

Why: With Ben Gordon out of the picture, it was finally Derrick Rose's time to shine on his own. Rose led the Bulls to a 41-41 season, even with the loss of their main scorer. The Bulls didn't have much of a team, and Rose showed maturity as he led the Bulls in scoring during the playoffs with 26.8 PPG.

Awards: All-Star selection and Skills Competition Winner

Where they are now: Derrick is still with the Chicago Bulls.

2010-11

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Player: Derrick Rose

Stats: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 APG and 4.1 RPG

Why: Derrick Rose was a huge part of the Chicago Bulls' 62-20 season. Under new coach Tom Thibodeau, Rose was the floor general and had to take on a more vocal role than he had in his past. Rose and the Bulls went to the ECF for the first time since the Jordan era. Rose worked extremely hard in the offseason, and it showed. Rose questioned before the season why he couldn't be MVP, and he sure answered his own question.

Awards: MVP, All-Star starter and All NBA First Team

Where they are now: Touring the world with Adidas waiting for the lockout to end.

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