Chicago Bulls

Lore & Background

The Bulls saw their greatest success during the 1990s when they played a major part in popularizing the NBA worldwide. They are known for having one of the NBA's greatest dynasties, winning six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998 with two separate three-peats. All six of their championship teams were led by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson. The Bulls are the only NBA team to win multiple championships while never losing an NBA Finals series in their history.

The Bulls won 72 games during the 1995–96 season, setting an NBA record that stood until the Golden State Warriors won 73 games during the 2015–16 season. The Bulls were the first team in NBA history to win 70 games or more in a single season, and the only NBA franchise to do so until the 2015–16 Warriors. Since 1998, the Bulls have failed to regain their former success. The franchise struggled throughout the 2000s but showed promise in the early 2010s led by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, culminating in back-to-back seasons above .732 in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

An ACL tear suffered by Rose and subsequent trades of key players triggered a rebuild, culminating in different lineups throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s. Jordan and Rose won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award while playing for the Bulls, for a total of six MVP awards. The Bulls share rivalries with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and the New York Knicks.

Reader's Guide

History: 1966–75: Formation and early success. The Chicago Bulls were granted an NBA franchise on January 16, 1966, making them the third NBA team in Chicago's history, following the Chicago Stags (1946–1950) and the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs (1961–1963). The franchise was founded by Dick Klein. After the 1966 NBA expansion draft, the Bulls played their first game on October 15, securing an upset victory over the St. Louis Hawks.

They finished the season with a 33–48 record, the best by any expansion team in NBA history at the time, and became the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs. Guard Guy Rodgers and forward Jerry Sloan were named All-Stars, and Kerr earned Coach of the Year honors. The Bulls initially played at the International Amphitheatre before moving to Chicago Stadium. In 1969, Klein resigned as general manager and hired Pat Williams.

Under Williams and head coach Dick Motta, the Bulls made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, including a franchise record of 57 wins in 1972. The Bulls made their first appearance in the conference finals in the 1973–74 season, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. They also made the conference finals in the 1974–75 season but lost to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors in a 4–3 series. After four seasons of 50 or more wins, Williams left for Philadelphia, and Motta took on both roles.

The Bulls' performance declined, culminating in a 24–58 season in 1975–76. Motta was fired and replaced by Ed Badger. 1976–84: Gilmore and Theus era. Klein sold the Bulls to the Wirtz family. Artis Gilmore, acquired in the ABA dispersal draft in 1976, led a Bulls squad which included Reggie Theus, David Greenwood and Orlando Woolridge.

In 1979, the Bulls lost a coin flip for the right to select first in the NBA draft; they selected David Greenwood with the second pick. After Gilmore was traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Dave Corzine, the Bulls employed a high-powered offense centered on Theus. With continued dismal results, the Bulls traded Theus to the Kansas City Kings during the 1983–84 season. Local businessman Jerry Reinsdorf purchased a controlling stake in the team in 1985. 1984–98: Michael Jordan era. In the summer of 1984, the Bulls had the third pick of the 1984 NBA draft and chose Michael Jordan.