Little Known Facts About the Chicago Bulls: The Dynasty

The Chicago Bulls are synonymous with Michael Jordan and their six championships in the 1990s.

But there’s more to their story waiting to be uncovered:

1. Expansion Team Beginnings: The Bulls entered the NBA as an expansion team in 1966, bringing professional basketball back to Chicago.
2. Early Draft Success: Chicago selected Jerry Sloan, an all-around player, and Bob Love, a scoring forward, in their early drafts, laying a solid foundation.
3. The Original Flying Bull: Chet Walker was a high-flying star of the 1970s. His athleticism became a staple of the Bulls’ exciting play.
4. Defensive Anchors: In the 1970s, the Bulls became known for their defense thanks to players like Norm Van Lier and Jerry Sloan.
5. Artis Gilmore: “The A-Train” was a dominant center acquired by the Bulls in 1976, averaging double-doubles and providing veteran leadership.
6. The Madhouse on Madison: Chicago Stadium, the Bulls’ old arena, earned this nickname due to its loud and passionate fans.
7. MJ’s Impact Before Titles: While the Bulls didn’t win titles right away, Michael Jordan was still a sensation, winning MVPs and Dunk Contests as a young star.
8. Phil Jackson, the Zen Master: Coach Phil Jackson was key to the Bulls’ dynasty, implementing the triangle offense and emphasizing a team approach.
9. The Rise of Scottie Pippen: Scottie Pippen turned into one of the NBA’s best all-around players, his defense and versatility complementing MJ perfectly.
10. Role Players Matter: The Bulls championships were about more than stars. Players like Horace Grant, John Paxson, and Steve Kerr all made major contributions.
11. Dominant Defense: The Bulls of the 90s didn’t just have a high-scoring offense. Their tenacious defense led by MJ, Pippen, and Rodman shut down opponents.
12. The United Center Opens: The Bulls moved to their current home, the United Center, in 1994, a state-of-the-art arena.
13. Lucky Number 23: Unsurprisingly, MJ’s iconic number 23 holds legendary status within the Bulls franchise.
14. Derrick Rose, Chicago’s Hope: Rose, born and raised in Chicago, became the youngest MVP ever in 2011, but had his career sadly derailed by injuries.
15. Rebuilding and Searching: The Bulls are now in rebuilding mode, seeking future stars to return to their championship glory days.

Let us know which of these facts about the Chicago Bulls were the most surprising to you! Chime in, in the comments.