30 players who define each NBA franchise
By Adam McGee
24. . SG. Chicago Bulls 1984-93, 1994-98. Michael Jordan. #23. player
Honorable Mentions: Scottie Pippen, Artis Gilmore, Derrick Rose
Was this ever really up for debate? When considered by many to be the greatest player the game has ever seen, is it really any surprise that he’s the defining player in Chicago’s history? Would the Bulls even matter if it wasn’t for Michael Jordan?
Chicago sports teams generally pack a punch as a natural by-product of the size of their market, but in their near 50-year history, the Bulls have only emerged from the Eastern Conference on six occasions. They just so happened to go on and win the title all six times too.
Of course Phil Jackson was there, Scottie Pippen was too, and even Dennis Rodman for a time, but the fact remains that the Bulls were Jordan’s team. It was his brilliance that not only delivered them so much success, but also spread the NBA and the Bulls iconic red and black across the planet.
If you look up the definition of greatness in the dictionary, it will say Michael Jordan. – Elgin Baylor
Jordan’s undefeated history in Finals sets him apart as much as anything else, just like his ability to dip in and out of retirement while accomplishing a three-peat on either side. If it wasn’t for Air Jordan, the Bulls would just be another mediocre NBA franchise.
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers