There's the Chicago Bulls, which have existed as a franchise since 1966. Then there's the Bulls. The quintessential Bulls. The classic Bulls. Bulls that any true fan of basketball thinks of when they see the red charging logo.
The Michael Jordan Bulls.
It's not only that Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. It's that he played for a franchise that was virtually unstoppable for about a decade. Few NBA teams have ever been so dominant. None have been so compelling.
Not even the Chicago team itself. It’s not exactly fair to say that the Bulls haven’t been good since the Jordan era. They did end their 2025 season with a losing record, but they’ve nevertheless experienced fluctuating success over the last two decades. This is still a team that you can factor into your YouBet.com wagering strategy.
Here’s what’s also true: The last time the Chicago Bulls saw a championship trophy was 1998, earned by the last iteration of the team Jordan ever played on.
In this article, we provide an overview of how the team evolved during Michael Jordan's nearly fifteen years with the franchise.
Context
First of all, it's essential to recognize that no team is defined entirely by a single player. A Bulls team with only Michael Jordan's prowess never would have gotten far. We have demonstrable proof of this, as you'll soon see.
The iconic lineup was iterative. If you're looking for the Last Dance style cast of characters - Rodman, Kerr, Pippen - you'll need to wait till the mid-nineties to realize your dream team fully. However, the eighties Bulls, though possibly slightly less iconic, were every bit as compelling and, ultimately, just as successful. It just took a while to get there.
Jordan, like so many lottery picks, landed on a franchise that was struggling. He was drafted third overall. Incidentally, the two teams that passed on him are now infamously associated with the decision, but that's another story.
And yet, as a result, it took a while for them to hit their stride. It's easy to forget that star players typically begin their careers on teams that are in the midst of a rebuild. This was certainly the case with Michael Jordan. And yet, as you'll soon see, within a few short years, Jordan's Bulls franchise was ready to compete at the highest possible level.
Arrival
In 1984, Jordan, drafted third overall, arrived at a struggling Bulls franchise. The highly anticipated star player found himself on a team with a limited supporting cast. Role players like Orlando Woolridge and Quintin Dailey helped the Bulls make it to the playoffs, but ultimately, Jordan's first several years with the Bulls were forgettable.
It wasn't until 1987, when Scottie Pippen was drafted, that the more familiar franchise began to take form. The team utilized a triangle offense that took advantage of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's ability to score from anywhere on the court. Ultimately, however, they bumped up against the Bad Boy Pistons and advanced no further in the playoffs.
The First Three-Peat
By 1990, the Jordan Bulls found their stride. The team's lineup still centered around a core three in the form of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. However, role players begin to contribute more heavily on key plays.
Dennis Hopson, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, and Craig Hodges all played crucial roles. This era of the Jordan Bulls won championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993, beating their rivals, the Pistons, in the process.
1994-1995: A Momentary Pause
From there, a momentary pause resets the Bulls franchise. Michael Jordan retires, infamously, to try out a baseball career. It's not fair to say that the Bulls fall apart. They're still competitive, and they still have a world-class star in Scottie Pippen.
Nevertheless, there are no championships during Jordan's retirement seasons.
Jordan's Back
In 1995, Jordan returns midseason and helps the Bulls reach the playoffs, where they are eventually eliminated by Orlando. It's also in 1995 that Dennis Rodman joins the team. Rodman, in addition to his antics, is famous for some of the most aggressive rebounding and defense in NBA history.
Also rising to prominence is Steve Kerr, who becomes a noted sharpshooter on an already stacked team. And what happens next? Another three-peat. The Bulls won championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998 before Michael Jordan ultimately left, ending what is arguably the most famous basketball franchise in the sport's history.
The '90s Bulls aren't just a freakish, overpowered super team. They're an indication of just how good basketball can be. Michael Jordan, during his remarkable sixth championship campaign, treated basketball fans to a game played at the highest possible level. That's his true legacy.
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