Chicago Bulls: The Greatest Bulls of All Time

For over 45 years, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the NBA's top franchises.  Since the first season in 1966, the Bulls have had 11 total players or coaches in the Hall of Fame who have either worn the uniform or coached along the sidelines. 

They have won a collective of six NBA titles, six Eastern Conference titles and 15 division titles in the Midwest or Central division.

The question today is: who were the greatest to ever wear the Bulls uniform?  This list is more about the player's impact on the Bulls, and less about their body of work with other teams.  For the top 10, I have included their career numbers to allow you to debate. 

This list includes some of our favorite Bulls players as well as a few unsung heroes.  I must warn you, very few of the current Bulls make the list, but No. 1 is an obvious choice in my opinion.  It is the remainder of the list that will keep you guessing.

Without further ado, I present to you the greatest Chicago Bulls of all time.

This list should definitely start a discussion.

Greatest Bulls Players of All Time: No. 20 Through No. 11

20. Ron Harper: Harper was originally signed to help take over the scoring void left by Michael Jordan's first retirement.  Although he failed to completely deliver on that promise, his impact on the team was vital to their second run of three NBA championships by reinventing himself and becoming a defensive stopper.  Harper won two other titles with Phil Jackson for the Lakers.  

19. Elton Brand: He only played two seasons for the Bulls after being traded to the Clippers for Tyson Chandler's rights, but he averaged a double-double in his two seasons as a Bull.  For many years the Bulls have needed a post presence, only to see a former player become a mainstay in the league.

18. Bill Cartwright: He was the final piece to the Bulls' first three championship teams.  His sharp elbows cleared the lane and allowed MJ and Scottie to roam free.  His defense in the post was key to going up against Patrick Ewing and Rik Smits. 

17. Dave Corzine: Few were as crafty as Corzine.  While he didn't have the numbers, (14.0 ppg and 8.7 rpg was his best season with the Bulls) he was tough to guard and strong on the glass. 

16. B.J. Armstrong: The only guy who can step into one wonderful situation then another, B.J. was an All-Star in '94.  He averaged double-digit scoring in three of his seven seasons as a Bull.  He helped them win three titles.  Did you know that Armstrong is the agent of Derrick Rose?

15. Clifford Ray: At a time when the NBA didn't keep count of steals and block shots, Ray was a dominating force inside the paint in the early '70s.  Despite only playing three seasons, his rookie team selection was a start to a good career.  If you put him on a team today, he'd be the equivalent of a Joakim Noah.

14. Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich: For No. 14 you get two for the price of one.  Deng is the last holdover from the Scott Skiles days.  A few might want to argue with his inclusion here, but consider this: 16 points and 6.4 rebounds a game in seven seasons.  

Captain Kirk helped return the Bulls to prominence.  He was the floor general of the Scott Skiles led teams.  He guarded the opposing teams' best perimeter players and is the all-time Bulls leader in three-point shooting.

13. Toni Kukoc: The Waiter made fans wait for his arrival a lot longer than we wanted to.  He is most famous for the 1.8 second play, when coach Phil Jackson designed a play for him instead of Scottie Pippen. 

His impact wasn't what was expected of him, but he delivered when he needed to.  In his best season as a Bull, Kukoc averaged 18.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.3 assists.  Not bad, but I wonder what would have happened if he had lived up to his expectations.

12. Tom Boerwinkle: One of the best passing centers of all time, Boerwinkle was the Vlade Divac of his era.  He was a strong rebounder and part of the Sloan, Walker, Love and Van Lier years.  A double-double machine, he was grossly overlooked by the NBA fans.

11. Horace Grant: He would have cracked the top 10, but his contributions should have been greater.  He was a better overall player than Dennis Rodman talent-wise, but Rodman guarded any and everybody.  He had a very solid career as a Bull and was instrumental in helping the Bulls win their first three titles, but he always left you wanting him to do more.

Honorable Mention: Benny the Bull

Name the one person who has had more of an impact for the Bulls.

Making fans all over the world, Benny the Bull is the all-time leader in fun for the family.  You see him in commercials and in the crowd.  I will tell you now that he is the only person that can throw popcorn in my face.

I also considered Ben Gordon, John Paxson, Cliff Levingston and Quintin Dailey.

10. Orlando Woolridge

The Big O was more talent than production.  If you take away the drug use, he would have enjoyed a better career.  

He averaged over 15 points in five of his six seasons with the Bulls.  His scoring ability was nearly unmatched.  

But in his final season as a Bull (Michael Jordan's rookie year), management didn't want Woolridge to negatively influence the team.  He was also a bad bad fit with Jordan on board, so he was let go.

Career numbers: 16.0 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

9. Reggie Theus

Before Michael Jordan, there was Reggie Theus.  The big-time scorer was the face of the franchise for five of his six seasons. 

Often considered immature as a player, he has still gone on to become one of the most respected basketball minds in the game.  Many of us remember his flair and his love of the spotlight, yet few remember how good he actually was. 

Career numbers: 18.5 ppg, 6.3 apg and 3.3 rpg.  Two-time All-Star.

8. Dennis Rodman

If flamboyant had a picture in the dictionary, Dennis Rodman's profile would easily fit the bill.  He was originally one of the Bad Boys in Detroit, before finding his way to the Bulls' roster after a stint in San Antonio. 

He only played for the Bulls for three seasons, but he led the NBA in rebounds during those seasons.  His rebounding prowess and defense for the Bulls' second run of three straight titles, gives him the nod over Horace Grant.  Not too many players got more for less than Dennis Rodman.

Career numbers: 13.1 rpg and 7.3 ppg.  Five NBA titles, seven rebounding titles, two-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.   

7. Norm Van Lier

Bulls fans remember his passionate postgame comments.  The way he discussed the games were the way he played them. 

Stormin' Norm Van Lier was one-half of a defensive two-headed monster with Jerry Sloan.  He talked tough and played tough, which some say was the reason his No. 2 jersey was never retired by the Bulls. 

Van Lier was before his time during the era in which he played, and he should be in the Hall of Fame.

Career numbers: 11.8 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.8 rpg and 1.8 spg.  Three-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-Defensive first team and two-time All-NBA second team. 

6. Chet Walker

His Bulls career started in '69 and ended in '75.  Chet Walker was one of the most underrated players of his era.  

He was a gifted scorer who never averaged less than 19 points for the Bulls.  He was the lead scoring option during the Sloan, Love and Van Lier years.  Chet the Jet is still one of the most respected players in Bulls' history.

Career numbers: 18.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 2.1 apg.  NBA Champion and seven-time All-Star.

5. Artis Gilmore

Gilmore was one of the more dominating centers of his time.  This Hall of Famer and former ABA standout patrolled the paint for the Bulls for eight seasons. 

Each year he averaged a near double-double.  If there was a knock on Gilmore, it was because he only led the Bulls to the playoffs twice in his first seven seasons. He then returned as a reserve for a third playoff appearance in his eighth season.  This is why he is isn't higher on this list. 

Career numbers: 19.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg and 2.4 bpg.  ABA MVP, five-time ABA All-Star, ABA All-Time team and six-time NBA All-Star.

4b. Derrick Rose

Call it dumb luck or chance, but the Bulls landed the No. 1 pick in the '08 NBA draft and Rose basically fell into their laps.  The reigning MVP of the league is already regarded as one of the top five or six players in the NBA. 

Why isn't he ranked higher?  It is because of his overall longevity.  Rose has only played three full seasons.  I expect his ranking to change once he has a few more years under his belt.

Career numbers: 20.9 ppg, 6.7 apg and 3.9 rpg.  Two-time All-Star, All-NBA team and MVP.

4a. Jerry Sloan

Most remember him as the longtime coach of the Utah Jazz, but some remember him as part of a two-headed defensive tandem with Norm Van Lier. 

His hard-nose defense as a player carried on to his coaching days.  While some will argue that Derrick Rose is better, his selection over Rose is due to his longevity in the NBA.  Thus explains a tie.  Sloan is also one of the all-time NBA leaders in steals.

Career numbers: 14.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.5 apg and 2.2 spg.  Two-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive team.

3. Bob Love

Before the Bulls were a household name, Bob Love was the face of the franchise.  Known for his versatility, Love could finish with either hand. 

His No. 10 jersey was the second jersey to ever be retired by the Bulls.  Love overcame a stuttering problem and is currently one of the Bulls' ambassadors.

Career numbers: 17.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 1.4 apg.  Three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA second team and three-time All-Defensive second team.

2. Scottie Pippen

Many people love to cast him off as a sidekick, but I beg to differ. 

He was one bad Hue Hollins foul call from leading the Bulls to another run in the NBA finals in the 1993-94 season.  He could guard every position on the floor except for the center spot. 

Still considered one of the best two-way players ever, Scottie Pippen's defense on Magic Johnson in the '91 finals gave the Bulls their first NBA Championship.

Career Numbers: 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg and 2 spg.  Seven-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA team and eight-time All-Defensive first team.

1. Michael Jordan

In most basketball discussions about who is the greatest player of all time you'll hear Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. The obvious choice for my generation is Jordan. 

No one has ever matched his desire to be the best and defeat the best.  He was a competitor through and through. 

Many of us recall "the shot" in the Cleveland Cavalier series.  How many remember the layup he did against the Lakers in the '91 finals?  I remember going out the next day and trying my best to emulate that shot.

Not only is he the greatest player of all time, he is easily the greatest Bull.

Career numbers: 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg and 2.3 spg.  Five-time MVP, 14 All-Star selections, 10 Scoring Titles and nine All-Defensive First Team selections.