Chicago Bulls: 8 Most Unique Players in Franchise History

What does it mean to be a unique basketball player?

To me, the definition is twofold. There are some basketball players who are unique because they have distinct and different abilities on the basketball court that many others do not have.

However, the more common definition would be in terms of personality; which guys are just that extra bit wacky and crazy?

This list takes both of those into account.

Ron Artest (Metta World Peace)

The list starts with an easy choice. Sure, Ron Artest spent less than three seasons here, but he was absolutely a unique player and personality.

Take, for example, this story from ESPN: 

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"I used to drink Hennessy ... at halftime," Artest said in an interview with the Sporting News, which is publishing the story in its Dec. 7 issue. "I [kept it] in my locker. I'd just walk to the liquor store and get it." Artest said he drank when he played for the Chicago Bulls, where he played for his first three seasons (1999-2002).

"

Drinking Hennessy at halftime of Bulls games? I sure hope that's unique to Metta.

Derrick Rose

Rose has only played three seasons, but he's proven himself to be unique both as a basketball player and as a person.

Derrick is known for being humble, and he lets his game do the talking. In today's NBA of trash talk and overhyping yourself, Poohdini is a breath of fresh air.

Rose is also unique as he is a sub 6'3" point guard who plays at the rim and finishes around seven footers with ease. If that's not unique, I don't know what is.

Jerry Sloan

Jerry Sloan is known for his long tenure with the Utah Jazz that finally ended this year. However, back in the day, Sloan was a hard-nosed defensive shooting guard for the Bulls.

It isn't necessarily his skills as an outstanding defensive guard that set Jerry apart, it's a story like this, courtesy of Ball Don't Lie:

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Someone shoots an elk on a mountain hunting trip that Karl Malone had helped them arrange and Jerry and Tony walk up to it. In a split second, this bull elk jumps up and comes at me full bore at about 10 yards. I'm a sitting duck.

Your dad, without a blink, steps in front of me, pulls up [his old rifle that he got for $80 at a garage sale], puts a bullet in this elk's chest, and it falls at my feet. I have no chance to even react. I turn and look at your dad and he looks at me and he goes, ‘That's as good as a fast break.'

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Oh, Jerry. By far my favorite part about this was the quote at the end. As good as a fast break? Brilliance right there.

Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is one of the most unique players in NBA history in terms of skill set and personality.

Pips was an incredible mix of talents. Because of a late growth spurt, Scottie came into college as a 6'1" point guard, before growing eight inches. He kept his point guard-like abilities and became a special and unique player.

Pippen was one of the few players in NBA history willing to take a backseat to another player, even though it may have prevented them from reaching his full potential. Pips knew it was all about winning.

Bob Love

Bob Love was a great Chicago Bull from the 1970s.

Here's an excerpt from a 1989 article about Love in People Magazine:

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During his 12 years in professional basketball, Bob "Butterbean" Love made the NBA All-Star team four times, and for seven consecutive seasons, beginning in 1969, led the Chicago Bulls in scoring.

But the 6'8" forward rarely talked about his accomplishments. A stutterer since childhood, he had difficulty expressing himself off the court. TV interviews, commercials and speaking engagements were out of the question.

In the end, despite his outstanding record, Love's profile was as low as his self-esteem.

"

Love has since overcome his stuttering disorder and has been a spokesperson for the Chicago Bulls organization. It is inspirational to see a person not only conquer their biggest problem, but then embrace it as a PR man. Kudos to him.

Joakim Noah

Another current Chicago Bull makes this list.

Joakim is absolutely a unique player. He was born to a former Miss Universe and a former French Open champion. Because of this, he should have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. However, when you watch him play, you would think anything but.

Joakim comes at the boards with the intensity that he is grinding out every second and working for every dollar.

If you need an interesting quote, Noah is your man. Perhaps most notable is his "Cleveland Sucks" quotes during the first-round series in 2010.

Michael Jordan

The Greatest of All Time absolutely deserves a place on this list.

Never before has a player been marketed so effectively or been so beloved while being such a jerk.

Michael was one of the first athletes ever to stop being an athlete and start becoming a "brand." Never before had an athlete become synonymous with their product. When you think of Michael Jordan, you think about great basketball and great shoes; that's unique.

Of course, Michael Jordan is clearly a unique player as well. He could hang in the air, stick the tongue out, hound you on D, create plays...the list goes on and on.

Dennis Rodman

What is there to say about Dennis Rodman?

He was undoubtedly one of the wackiest and craziest personalities not only that the NBA has ever seen, but that we as a people have ever seen. Hopefully, I shouldn't have to explain much more.

Not only that, but Rodman was one of the most unique players ever. He is the greatest rebounder of all time, and he was merely 6'7"! He was incredibly unique.