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Chicago Bulls Team History

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Chicago Bulls




  • 1966
  • 1984
  • 1991 -1992
  • 1993
  • 1993 -1996
  • 1997 -1998
  • Chicago Bulls in 1966

    Chicago Bulls Team Creation

    The Chicago Bulls are the third NBA franchise in Chicago, after the Packers – Zephyrs (now the Washington Wizards) and the Stags (1946 – 1950). The Bulls’ founder, Dick Klein, was the Bulls’ only owner to ever play professional basketball (for the Chicago American Gears). He served as the Bulls’ president and general manager in their beginning years. The team ...
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  • Michael Jordan vs Danny Anige

    Drafted Michael Jordan

    In the summer of 1984, the Bulls had the third pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, after Houston and Portland. The Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon, the Blazers picked Sam Bowie and the Bulls chose shooting guard Michael Jordan. The team, with new management in owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Jerry Krause, decided to rebuild around Jordan. Jordan set franchise ...
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  • Finals 1991 Chicago Bulls

    NBA Finals Winner 91′ and 92′

    NBA Finals – 1991 The Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference took on the Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference for the title, with Chicago having home-court advantage. This final was Michael Jordan’s first NBA Finals appearance, Magic Johnson’s last one, and the last NBA Finals trip of the Lakers until 2000. The Bulls would win the series 4-1. ...
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  • Michael Jordan - Barons

    Jordan’s First Retirement

    On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, citing a loss of desire to play the game. Jordan later stated that the murder of his father earlier in the year also shaped his decision. Jordan’s father was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. ...
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  • Chicago Bulls 1996 Championship

    NBA Finals Winner 93′ and 96′

    NBA Finals – 1993 The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1992 – 1993 NBA season, featuring the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, and the Phoenix Suns, winners of 62 games and led by regular season MVP Charles Barkley. The Bulls became the first team since the legendary Boston Celtics of the 1960s to win three ...
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  • Chicago Bulls 1998 Championship

    NBA Finals Winner 97′ and 98′

    NBA Finals – 1997 The 1997 NBA Finals was the concluding series of the 1997 NBA Playoffs that determined the champion of the 1996 – 1997 NBA season. The Utah Jazz of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference for the title, with the Bulls holding home-court advantage. The series was played under a best-of-seven ...
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History of the Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are one of the most successful teams in NBA history. They have won six championships, five consecutive from 1991 to 1998. During this period, they arguably had the greatest player in the history of the NBA: Michael Jordan. He led them to all those titles and was instrumental in making them a global brand that transcended basketball and became an icon for American culture during that period.

The Bulls have been around since 1966 when they joined the league as part of its expansion efforts into larger markets like New York City and Los Angeles. Their first championship came in 1971 with stars such as Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, and Chet Walker leading their way under head coach Dick Motta’s guidance, who famously said, “The opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings” after winning it all against Seattle SuperSonics 4-3 games series victory on April 30th, 1971. The team went through some struggles before finally getting back to prominence by drafting Michael Jordan, 3rd overall pick out of North Carolina University's 1983 draft class, alongside Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers), Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers), Charles Barkley(Philadelphia 76ers).

Since then, there has been no looking back for the Chicago Bulls franchise. Even though there were a few down moments here & there, but still managed to stay relevant by adding key pieces such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, etc., alongside MJ throughout 90's decade, which ultimately resulted in 6 Championships, including 2 three-peats between 91-93 & 96-98 respectively. After retirement from Basketball MJ in post 98 seasons, things changed drastically. The team struggled severely until the arrival of Derrick Rose, 2008 Draft Class 1st Overall Pick out of Memphis Tigers University, who brought hope & energy back into the United Center Stadium home court arena. However, due to a lack of injuries, he couldn't last long enough, thus resulting in another rebuilding phase over the past couple of years, where young core players Lauri Markkanen and Zach Lavine are trying hard to bring glory days back again!

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Established
1966

City
Chicago

League History
1966 - Present / National Basketball Association

Team History
1966 - Present / Chicago Bulls

Nickname
Bulls - The Chicago Bulls are one of the most iconic teams in the NBA, and their nickname has become an indelible part of basketball culture. But where did this name come from? Let’s look at the origins of this beloved team’s moniker.

The story began in 1966 when Dick Klein wanted a name that evoked Chicago's traditional meatpacking industry and the Chicago Stadium's proximity to the Union Stock Yards. Klein considered names like Matadors or Toreadors but dismissed them, saying, "If you think about it, no team with as many as three syllables in its nickname has ever had much success except for the Montreal Canadiens." Another theory is that Klein admired the strength and toughness of bulls. When Klein considered Matadors and Toreadors, his young son exclaimed, "Dad, that's a bunch of bull!" The rest is history.

Since then, they have achieved tremendous success on and off the court, with six championships since 1991 under legendary players such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Derrick Rose, among others who have permanently cemented their place in basketball history! This is why so many sports fans worldwide recognize them as one of the greatest franchises ever created – all thanks to Mr.Wirtz's vision back in 1966 when he chose the perfect moniker: The Chicago Bulls!

Championship
NBA Championships 6
1998, 1997, 1996, 1993, 1992, 1991

Arena
1994 - Present / United Center
1967 - 1994 / Chicago Stadium
1966 / International Amphitheatre

Owner
1985 - Present / Jerry Reinsdorf
1983 - 1985 / Bill Wirtz
1972 - 1983 / Arthur Wirtz
1966 - 1972 / Dick Klein

Who is the greatest Chicago Bulls?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Retired Number
4 / Jerry Sloan
10 / Bob Love
23 / Michael Jordan
33 / Scottie Pippen
- / Phil Jackson
- / Johnny Kerr
- / Jerry Krause

*Blue is this team’s history

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