On November 2, the Chicago Bulls will open the season against the Charlotte Bobcats. Entering their 40th season, the Bulls have seen it all, from their early struggles to the return of Michael Jordan in the mid-90s to lead them to three more championships.
In total, six championship banners hang from the United Center. All six have come in the 90s, a decade the Bulls clearly dominated. The first three were won in 1991-3, and the next three in 1996-8 (1995-96 also saw the Bulls go a record 72-10 in the regular season). The amazing line-up throughout the run has included Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, B.J. Armstrong, Toni Kukoc, and Ron Harper. All six winners were coached by Phil Jackson.
The inaugural season was coached by Johnny “Red” Kerr. Bob Boozer and Guy Rodgers both led the team, each averaging 18 points per contest. Jerry Sloan was also a key player, averaging 17.4 points and a team high 9.1 rebounds. The franchise’s first win came on October 15, 1966 when they defeated the St. Louis Hawks. Season highlights include making the playoffs (albeit losing in the first round), Kerr winning Coach of the Year, Guy Rodgers leading the league in assists with 11.2 per game, and sending Rodgers and Sloan to the All-Star game.
In only a few years, the Bulls would have their first season over .500. In 1970-71, they went 51-31. Stars on that team included Bob Love, Chet Walker, and Jerry Sloan. They would end up losing in the division semifinals to the Lakers in game 7, but showed promise for seasons to come.
In years to come, solid stars such as Norm Van Lier, Artis Gilmore, and Reggie Theus teased fans of basketball glory in the city of Chicago, but it wasn’t until the 1984 draft when it all changed. Michael Jordan burst onto the scene and averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.
It took a few years, but the Bulls soon had the likes of Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Phil Jackson on the bench. After their championship runs in the 90s, things slowed to a lull. Posting embarrassing win totals was not what the fans were used to, but the new generation (dubbed the Baby Bulls) just didn’t have the experience.
All that changed this season, as the young cast got older, and the rookies and sophomores made their contribution. The Bulls were finally in the playoffs again, with Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, and Luol Deng leading the way.
The future looks bright, and fans should be exited for what is to come. The young roster is still getting older and wiser, and we should expect many playoff berths in the future, and perhaps a few new banners.
