Fansided

A die-hard Chicago Bulls fan’s guide to the Top 5 moments in history

By Mark Carman

NEW YORK CITY - JANUARY 23: Dennis Rodman #91, Michael Jordan #23 and Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the New York Knicks on January 23, 1996 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY - JANUARY 23: Dennis Rodman #91, Michael Jordan #23 and Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the New York Knicks on January 23, 1996 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ESPN is moving up the release date of “The Last Dance.” With that in mind, here are the top five moments in Chicago Bulls history.

My first Chicago Bulls game in person was February 22, 1981. The Artis Gilmore, Reggie Theus led Bulls lost to Atlanta 121-116. There were 7,109 hearty fans in attendance. I remember not wanting to leave and my older brother saying lets go, ‘its over.’ I pleaded with my Mom that they still had a chance. She let eight-year old me stay to the end.

This was of course pre-Michael Jordan. I remember attending Jordan’s first home playoff game his rookie season versus the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985. The Bulls stayed alive in the series, squeaking by Sidney Moncrief, Terry Cummings and the rest of the Bucks 109-107, only to lose the series in four games.

The years leading up to the Bulls first championship in 1991 were the most fun for me. The narrative at the time was that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were better than Jordan. They made their teammates better, a scoring champion, Jordan, would never win an NBA championship. Three straight years losing to the hated Detroit Pistons in the playoffs the narrative grew and grew. It was awful, and great. You did not know if the Bulls would get there.

And then they did. Six times in eight historic years. There were so many championship moments to savor, but if you don’t include the pre-championship years then you are missing out on the full story.

With that in mind, here are my top five Chicago Bulls moments.

5. June 13, 1997 – Bulls 90 Utah 86

Why It’s Classic: This was championship number five. The game was tied late when Jordan found a wide open Steve Kerr out front. Kerr buried the jumper and vaulted himself into Bulls history. The Bulls had just won the final two games of the series to prevail 4-2. Jordan’s famous flu game was game 5 in Utah that ultimately set-up the celebration at the United Center.

4. June 21, 1993 – Bulls 99 Phoenix 98

Why It’s Classic: Every Chicago Bull touched the ball on their final possession. B.J Armstrong to Jordan to Scottie Pippen to Horace Grant to a wide-open John Paxson with 3.9 seconds left. Jordan had scored all nine of the Bulls fourth quarter points up until Paxson nailed the game-winner that sealed the first three-peat.

3. June 5, 1991 – Bulls 107 Lakers 86

Why It’s Classic: The most iconic lay-up in Bulls championship history. Jordan down the lane past Sam Perkins and the rest of the Lakers off a feed from Cliff Levingston. The moment stands out  since it was the Bulls first time in the Finals. They were down 0-1 in the series after losing game one, the only game they would lose in the series.

2. June 14, 1998 – Bulls 87 Utah 86

Why It’s Classic: Michael Jordan’s last shot as a Bull. It came after a driving lay-up to cut it to one, a strip of Karl Malone and a shake ( push ) off of Bryon Russell. Jordan held the pose as if he knew it was the end and wanted to do it perfectly. Jordan finished with 45 in the game, 23 in the first half. MJ perfection.

1. May 5, 1989 – Bulls 101 Cleveland 100

Why It’s Classic: Down one with three seconds to go the season was about to come to an end. Jordan then shook off both Larry Nance and Craig Ehlo to get the inbounds pass from Brad Sellers. He then darted left to the top of the key, hung in the air, and double-pumped home the game winner of all game winners. The Bulls announced themselves as championship contenders eventually losing in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan stamped himself as the best player in the game never to look back.