NBA Power Rankings: 10 Best Chicago Bulls, According To a Detroit Pistons Fan
To say that the Chicago Bulls' history is intertwined with that of the Detroit Pistons would be a fair statement.
From a Pistons' perspective, an even more accurate statement would be that Detroit fans typically hate Chicago fans with the passion of a thousand suns.
That hatred is most typified in the rivalry between the Pistons and Bulls.
Through the years, these two teams have had some epic battles, winning nine of the last 31 titles in the NBA. And though it pains me to look at the Bulls with anything but disdain, it is hard not to recognize the great talent that has played in the Windy City.
So here are the top 10 Chicago Bulls, according to a Pistons fan.
10. Chet Walker
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Chet "The Jet" Walker was the Michael Jordan of the mid-1970s Bulls. The 6'6" guard/forward was a sweet shooter with excellent rebounding skills for his size, much like teammate Jerry Sloan.
Walker came to the Bulls with Championship pedigree, helping Philadelphia win the title in 1967. His time with the Bulls was highlighted by four All-Star team selections in his six years with the team and he never averaged fewer than 19.2 points per game with the team.
Furthermore, Walker was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
9. Ben Gordon
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Ben Gordon was the face of the first generation of Bulls teams in the post-Jordan era to make the playoffs.
Gordon, an undersized shooting guard, is known for his deep range on his jumper and his streaky shooting. Equally capable of long scoring droughts as well as stringing together long sustained runs alone, Gordon was a polarizing figure in Chicago. Many people loved him, but many were also glad to see him leave via free agency (to the Pistons).
Gordon had the knack for turning up his scoring in the most critical times, namely in the playoffs. His most memorable time as a Bull was his shooting display he put on in his last year in Chicago, scoring 24 points per game in almost single-handedly defeating the Boston Celtics. The Bulls ultimately were downed in seven games, but because of Gordon they put up quite a fight.
8. Toni Kukoc
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Toni Kukoc was perhaps the most highly touted basketball player from Europe in the early 1990s. Known for his all-around game despite being nearly seven feet tall, Kukoc was nicknamed around the world as the "Euro Magic" for his similarities to the Lakers (and Michigan State) star Magic Johnson.
He made his much anticipated arrival for the Bulls the year that Michael Jordan retired the first time to play baseball. His rookie year was remembered most for the stunning last second shot he made in the playoffs in a game that Scottie Pippen refused to re-enter upon learning that the last shot wasn't going to be his.
Kukoc would go on to help the Bulls win their second three-peat from 1996-98. Kukoc, though never quite as good as Magic, would prove to be a valuable asset for the Bulls, averaging no fewer than 10 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
7. Horace Grant
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For his first seven seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Horace Grant provided some much needed size and rebounding ability for a perimeter-oriented Bulls team.
Known equally for his stylish goggles and his mid-range jump shot, Grant developed into one of the league's top power forwards, averaging no fewer than 12 points and eight rebounds in all but his rookie season in Chicago.
Grant helped the Bulls win their first three titles before leaving via free agency to join a very talented Orlando Magic team that featured Shaquille O'Neal.
Grant would go on to win another championship with the Lakers in 2001 and ended his career after the Lakers were defeated in the 2004 NBA Finals by the Pistons.
6. Dennis Rodman
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Long after his days with the Pistons when he helped Detroit hold off the upstart Bulls, Rodman patrolled the lane for Chicago for their second three-peat, from 1996-98.
While Rodman was a fan favorite in Detroit, he became a cult-like hero in Chicago. Known for his brash antics and his otherworldly rebounding ability, Rodman fit perfectly into coach Phil Jackson's triangle offense. He even managed to hit a triple from time to time.
Rodman was an absolute freak defensively, capable of defending point guards and centers alike. Although Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were defensive stoppers on the perimeter, they counted on Rodman to shut down the big guys.
Rodman only played three seasons with Chicago, but he averaged no fewer than 15 rebounds per game in helping Chicago during their most dominant three seasons, culminating in their 72-win season in 1996.
5. Norm Van Lier
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Norm Van Lier is one of the most underrated point guards to lace up sneakers in the 1970s. Known for his ability to find his teammates with improbable passes, Van Lier averaged no fewer than 5.5 assists per game during his seven seasons with the Bulls.
Van Lier was even more impressive on the defensive end, making either the first or second All-Defensive teams in all seven of his seasons in Chicago. He even managed to make the All-NBA second team in 1974 when he averaged 14.4 points and seven assists per game.
Van Lier was recently working Bulls games for Comcast before he was found dead in his apartment in 2009 at the age of 61. As a result, the Bulls wore a patch tribute to him as well as former coach and broadcaster Johnny "Red" Kerr (pictured).
4. Jerry Sloan
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Before he became one of the league's most successful head coaches, Jerry Sloan was known as a fierce and gritty defender and underrated scorer for the Bulls in the 1960s and 70s.
Sloan was either a first or second team All-Defensive performer and averaged at least 10 points per game in each of his 10 seasons in Chicago.
He also made two All-Star teams and was selected to the Hall of Fame.
Sloan paired with Bob Love and Chet Walker to form a strong nucleus of a team that was always playoff bound but was never able to reach the Finals. They made it through to the Western Conference Finals twice, once by beating the Kansas City-Omaha Kings and once by beating a certain team from Detroit.
3. Bob Love
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From 1970 through 1976, there were few players that were as electrifying from a scoring perspective than Bob Love. Love made two All-Star teams and was a second team All-NBA selection. He averaged over 21 points per game for six straight years before ultimately retiring in 1977.
Not only was Love a stud offensive player, but he also made two All-Defensive Second Teams.
The most remarkable thing about Love was that he did all this while suffering from a severe stuttering problem. He would fall so far out of luck that he ended up working as a busboy. Eventually he would seek help for his problem, and became a front office executive with the Bulls.
Love was the second player to have his jersey retired by the Bulls.
2. Scottie Pippen
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Probably the most hated of Chicago Bulls from a Pistons' fan perspective, Scottie Pippen was both talented and polarizing during his time with the Bulls.
Possibly the best defensive small forward of his generation, Pippen was the perfect Robin to Michael Jordan's Batman for the Bulls during the 90s.
Pippen was not only a great defender, but also a very good all-around player. Pippen was capable of playing point forward and running the offense, as well as hitting timely three pointers and taking the ball to the rack.
What most Pistons fans remember is how he missed a game in the playoffs due to a migraine headache, and how he refused to re-enter a game that Toni Kukoc was tabbed to take the last shot of.
History will show that Pippen was probably the best small forward of his generation, but for Pistons fans, he will always be the one we most like to hate.
1. Michael Jordan
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Not only is Michael Jordan the best Chicago Bull of all time, he is also generally referred to as the best player of all time.
Jordan is most known for his out of control competitive spirit, resulting in an insatiable appetite for being the best.
Jordan made 12 All-Star teams with the Bulls, won the MVP award five times, Defensive Player of the Year once, All-NBA First team 10 times, and All-Defensive first team nine times. He won six titles, including two different three-peats.
The Pistons were Jordan's most heated rival, holding down the star guard three straight playoff years before Jordan was finally able to push through and win his first title in 1991.
Jordan's hatred for the Pistons is legendary—so much so he allegedly threatened to quit the Olympic Dream Team if Isiah Thomas was named.
For Pistons fans, Jordan was a player who broke our hearts, and put the final dagger in our beloved Bad Boys team.
Personally, I was able to finally appreciate Jordan after he returned from his first retirement, and even found myself rooting for him after his second retirement.
No matter how you cut it, Jordan was the best...even though he was a Bull.
