Chicago Bulls
Six championships, two three-peats, and a legacy of greatness.
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16, 1966, and played its first game during the 1966–67 NBA season. The Bulls share their home arena with the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks, playing in the newer United Center which replaced the former Chicago Stadium.
- Key Knicks Figures
- Patrick Ewing
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
The most dramatic chapter unfolded in the 1993–94 Eastern Conference Semifinals. With Michael Jordan retired to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox, the Bulls were led by Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoč against a Knicks team with home-court advantage. The series was marred by a brawl between Jo Jo English and Derek Harper that sent players into the stands while NBA Commissioner David Stern watched. In Game 3, the Knicks erased a 19-point deficit to tie the game with 1.8 seconds left on a Patrick Ewing hook shot; Kukoč then hit the buzzer-beater after Pippen refused to take the final play. The series climaxed in Game 5 with a controversial foul call by Hue Hollins against Pippen, allowing Hubert Davis to make two free throws for a one-point Knicks victory. After a blowout win in Game 6—the final game at Chicago Stadium—the Knicks clinched the series 87–77 in Game 7. This remains the only time New York eliminated Chicago in the playoffs during this dynasty era.
Reader's Guide
The Bulls were granted an NBA franchise on January 16, 1966. In their inaugural 1966–67 season, they finished with a 33–48 record, the best by any expansion team in NBA history at the time, and became the first (and only) expansion team to qualify for the playoffs. The Bulls initially played their home games at the International Amphitheatre before moving to Chicago Stadium. Key early players included Guy Rodgers, Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Chet Walker, and Norm Van Lier. The Bulls made their first appearance in the conference finals in the 1973–74 season, losing in four games 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. In the 1984 NBA draft, the Bulls selected Michael Jordan third overall. Jordan led the Bulls to six championships. The Bulls' 1995–96 team set an NBA record with 72 wins.
Did You Know?
- The Bulls were the first NBA team to win 70 games in a single season.
- Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose each won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award while playing for the Bulls.
- The Bulls are the only NBA team to win multiple championships without ever losing an NBA Finals series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Bulls considered the Knicks' biggest rival?
This feud became legendary because it represented a clash between Chicago's championship dominance and New York's gritty defensive identity during the 1990s. It served as a high-stakes proxy war for control of the Eastern Conference throughout that decade.
Who were the main stars during this rivalry?
The matchup featured Michael Jordan leading the Bulls against Patrick Ewing anchoring the Knicks' defense. Later stars like Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell also played crucial roles in New York's attempts to stop Chicago's dynasty.
When did this rivalry peak?
The intensity of this competition reached its height during the 1990s, specifically through their repeated meetings in the Eastern Conference Finals. These games defined an era where both franchises vied for supremacy before the Bulls eventually secured multiple titles.
How did the playing styles differ between the two teams?
Chicago relied on Phil Jackson's fluid triangle offense and individual brilliance, while New York utilized Pat Riley's physical, defensive-minded system. This contrast created a unique narrative of finesse versus toughness that captivated basketball fans worldwide.
What was the outcome of their playoff battles in the 90s?
Although the Knicks famously eliminated Chicago in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls ultimately dominated the series matchups during their championship runs. The rivalry effectively concluded as both teams moved past their core rosters following the end of that era.
More in Great Rivalries & Feuds
Elsewhere in the New York Knicks universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record