With the NBA Playoffs nearing their conclusion with the Conference Finals underway, I thought I’d take a look at each of the teams’ all-time starting lineups.
Highlighting the top players in each franchise’s history, the all-time lineup was created using players individual accolades as well as team success during each players’ stint. Beginning with this year’s non-playoff teams and finishing up with this season’s 16 postseason participants, here are the Chicago Bulls’ all-time starters.
Chicago Bulls
Guard: Derrick Rose 2008-16
The most decorated player since the Michael Jordan era, Rose made an immediate impact, being named to the All-Rookie First Team and winning the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year Award while returning the Bulls to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
After an All-Star appearance and another trip to the playoffs in 2010, Rose led the Bulls to the NBA’s best record and a trip to the conference finals the following season, being named an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, and winning the 2011 NBA MVP Award.
Rose led Chicago to a second straight top seed and division title in 2012 while being named an All-Star, before injuries derailed his career before being traded in 2016.
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Guard: Michael Jordan 1984-93, 1995-98
“His Airness”, Michael Jordan dominated the NBA during his two stints, winning six championships and all six Finals MVPs (1991-93, 1996-98).
Jordan racked up all types of individual accolades, winning five NBA MVP Awards, three All-Star Game MVPs and being named to 14 All-Star teams (1985-93, 1996-98).
Perhaps the game’s greatest all-time player, Jordan picked up 11 All-NBA nods, nine First Team All-Defense selections, the 1985 Rookie of the Year Award, the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, two Dunk Contest victories, three steals titles, and 10 scoring championships.
Jordan was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1997, while having his No. 23 retired by the Bulls and being enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Forward: Scottie Pippen 1987-98, 2003-04
Michael Jordan’s running mate, Pippen helped Chicago win six championships in the 1990s, being named to seven All-Star teams (1990, 1992-97), winning the game’s MVP in 1994.
One of the best defenders in the league during his time, Pippen led the NBA in steals in 1995 and racked up 10 All-Defensive Team nods. Pippen was also a seven-time All-NBA selection (three First, two Second, two First) and was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1997.
After returning to Chicago for his final season in 2003-04, Pippen’s No. 33 was retired in 2005 and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Forward: Jerry Sloan 1966-76
Known as “The Original Bull”, Sloan was a member of the inaugural 1966-67 Bulls team, and made the playoffs nine time in 10 seasons while helping Chicago win their first division title in 1975.
A two-time All-Star (1967, 1969), Sloan was a premier defender during his time in the league, being named to the All-Defensive First Team twice and the Second Team four times. After his career, Sloan became the first Bulls player to have his jersey retired in 1978.
Center: Artis Gilmore 1976-82, 1987
Despite making the playoffs just twice in his Bulls career, Gilmore received multiple individual accolades. He was named to four All-Star teams during his stint in Chicago, while being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1978.
