The Chicago Bulls, founded in 1966, won six NBA championships in the 1990s. Led by Michael Jordan, they set a record with 72 wins in the 1995–96 season. The team has had rivalries with the Cavaliers, Pistons, Heat, and Knicks.
The Chicago Bulls were formed in 1966 and have left a lasting impact on the National Basketball Association (NBA) with their iconic players and championship victories.
In 1967, the Chicago Bulls became the only NBA team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season. This achievement highlighted the early success and competitiveness of the Bulls in the league.
In 1969, Pat Williams took over as the general manager of the Chicago Bulls after the team's fan interest started to decline. Williams' appointment signaled a new era for the Bulls as they sought to revitalize their presence and attract more spectators.
In 1970, the Chicago Bulls transitioned to the Central Division of the Eastern Conference from the Midwest Division.
In 1972, the Chicago Bulls set a franchise record with 57 wins and 25 losses under the leadership of head coach Dick Motta.
In 1975, the Chicago Bulls reached the conference finals but were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in a 4-3 series.
Artis Gilmore's arrival to the Chicago Bulls after the ABA-NBA merger had a transformative impact on the team. Known for his exceptional field-goal percentage and elite rebounding skills, Gilmore became the Bulls' all-time leader in blocks, fifth in rebounds, and seventh in points. His defensive prowess solidified his legacy as the greatest center in Bulls history, culminating in a Hall of Fame induction in 2011.
Reggie Theus was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. Known for his size and versatility, he made an immediate impact with the Chicago Bulls, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities.
In 1979, the Chicago Bulls lost a coin flip to the Los Angeles Lakers, missing the opportunity to choose Magic Johnson in the NBA draft.
Reggie Theus was honored as an NBA All-Star in 1981, recognizing his outstanding performance and skills in the league.
Reggie Theus received his second NBA All-Star recognition in 1983, solidifying his status as one of the top players in the league during that time.
In 1984, the legendary Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls, ushering in a new era of success for the team.
On August 4, 1984, marked the start of the iconic Michael Jordan era with the Chicago Bulls.
During the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, Jordan scored a record-breaking 63 points in a single game, despite the Bulls being swept out in the first round. Larry Bird praised Jordan's performance by calling him 'God disguised as Michael Jordan.'
In the 1986 season, Michael Jordan led the NBA in scoring with an average of 37.1 points per game, setting a new record. He also became the first Chicago Bull to be selected for the All-NBA First Team.
In 1987, the Chicago Bulls added forward Scottie Pippen, who complemented Michael Jordan's skills and significantly improved the team.
On November 17, 1987, the era of Chicago Bulls dominance in the NBA started.
In 1988, the Chicago Bulls made it to the Eastern Conference Finals despite facing challenges in meshing their new lineup. They ultimately lost to the Detroit Pistons in six games, who later became the NBA Champions.
In 1989, Phil Jackson took over as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, replacing Doug Collins. This change marked a significant shift in leadership for the team.
On February 12, 1989, Michael Jordan had an outstanding performance by scoring 53 points in a game against the Suns.
In 1990, the Chicago Bulls achieved a significant milestone by setting a franchise-record of 61 wins during the regular season. This success showcased the team's dominance in the league.
On June 8, 1991, the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA Championship. This victory marked the beginning of a dynasty led by Michael Jordan and solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
The Chicago Bulls won their second NBA championship by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in a 4-2 series victory.
During the 1992 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls achieved their first three-peat by winning their third NBA Championship in a row. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks, Cavaliers, and Knicks in the playoffs before beating the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
In November 1, 1994, the Chicago Bulls retired the number 23 shirt in honor of their iconic and legendary player, Michael Jordan, who represented the Bulls from 1984 to 1998.
After his brief retirement, Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995, leading the team to their second championship three-peat.
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return from retirement to play for the Chicago Bulls. He made a remarkable comeback by scoring 55 points against the Knicks in his fifth game back.
The Bulls started their 1995–96 campaign with a 105–91 win over the visiting Hornets. Michael Jordan had an impressive performance with 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
The Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 107–85 with a strong third-quarter performance, scoring 35 points. Six Bulls players scored in double figures in this game.
The Chicago Bulls won the 1996 NBA Finals, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in a 4-2 series victory.
The Bulls capped the 1997 season by winning their fifth NBA championship, defeating the Bullets, Hawks, and Heat in the playoffs before triumphing over the Utah Jazz in the finals.
The Chicago Bulls won their sixth NBA championship in 1998, solidifying their dynasty in the 1990s led by Michael Jordan.
In a game against the Miami Heat on April 10, 1998, the Bulls scored 49 points, setting an NBA record for the fewest points in a game in the shot-clock era.
The Chicago Bulls achieved their second three-peat in 1998 by winning the NBA Finals, solidifying their dominance in the league.
On November 17, 1998, the Chicago Bulls achieved an impressive feat with 211 steals and 101 blocks in a game.
Michael Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999, after an illustrious career. His retirement marked the end of an era in basketball.
On September 1, 1999, the Chicago Bulls secured a championship title, marking another milestone in their illustrious history.
The Chicago Bulls NBA season in 2000-01 resulted in a record of 15 wins and 67 losses under the coaching of T. Floyd. E. Brand played a significant role with an average of 6.1 points.
During the 2001-02 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls had a challenging performance ranking 8th out of 8 teams with a record of 21 wins and 61 losses. The team struggled with a negative point differential and faced difficulties in scoring and defense.
In the 2002-03 season, the Chicago Bulls showed optimism with a young and exciting roster. They improved under coach Bill Cartwright, and Eddy Curry led the league in field goal percentage.
During the 2003-04 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls finished in 8th place out of the teams in the league. The team had a challenging season with a record of 23 wins and 59 losses.
After a slow rebuilding process, Chicago Bulls returned to the play-offs for three consecutive times starting from the 2004-05 season.
During the 2005-06 season, the Bulls paid tribute to the defunct Chicago Stags by wearing their red and blue throwback uniforms.
During the 2006-07 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals but were defeated. The team was coached by Scott Skiles and had Luol Deng as one of their key players.
The Chicago Bulls swept the defending champions, Miami Heat, in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs, marking their first playoff series victory since 1998.
From 2008 to 2016, the Chicago Bulls experienced the Derrick Rose era, a period marked by the rise of the talented player in the team.
On February 21, 2008, the Chicago Bulls were part of a three-team trade deal that involved sending Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Adrian Griffin, and a draft pick to acquire Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, Larry Hughes, and Shannon Brown.
On June 10, 2008, the Chicago Bulls' general manager John Paxson hired Vinny Del Negro, who had no coaching experience, to coach the team.
The Bulls, with only a 1.7 percent chance of winning, secured the rights to draft first overall in the 2008 NBA draft. They chose Chicago native Derrick Rose from the University of Memphis as the number 1 pick.
On July 3, 2008, Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff, and Bob Ociepka joined the Chicago Bulls as assistant coaches, providing a veteran presence on the coaching staff to support rookie head coach Vinny Del Negro.
Luol Deng, a key player for the Bulls, signed a significant six-year contract extension worth $71 million on July 30, 2008.
On November 18, 2008, the individual returned to the Bulls basketball team.
In a trade move, the Bulls sent multiple players to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Brad Miller and John Salmons on February 18, 2009.
On April 10, 2009, the Bulls secured a spot in the playoffs, marking their fourth appearance in the last five years.
In Game 1 of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Derrick Rose matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for most points scored by a rookie in a playoff debut, with 36 points and 11 assists.
On April 14, 2010, the Bulls secured a playoff spot as the number 8 seed, setting the stage for the postseason.
On May 4, 2010, the Bulls officially parted ways with head coach Vinny Del Negro, marking the end of his tenure with the team.
In early June 2010, Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau accepted a three-year contract to become the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He was officially introduced on June 23.
On July 7, 2010, it was revealed that Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz had verbally agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract with the Chicago Bulls.
The Chicago Bulls organization commemorated the 20th anniversary of their first NBA Championship in 1991 by honoring the 1991 Chicago Bulls Championship team during halftime of a game against the Utah Jazz. Former teammates like Pippen, Michael Jordan, John Paxson, and others attended the ceremony.
The Chicago Bulls organization announced the decision to honor Scottie Pippen with a bronze statue at the United Center, the Bulls' home arena. Pippen expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating that it was a childhood dream come true. The statue was unveiled on April 7, 2011.
Despite posting the best record in the NBA regular season, the Chicago Bulls were upset in the Eastern Conference finals during the 2011-12 season.
On January 7, 2014, Luol Deng was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for center Andrew Bynum and a set of picks. Bynum was immediately waived after the trade.
During the fourth quarter of the first playoff game on April 28, 2012, against the Philadelphia 76ers, Derrick Rose tore his ACL, causing him to miss the rest of the series.
The Chicago Bulls had a promising start to the 2014-2015 NBA season with Derrick Rose's return, the emergence of Jimmy Butler as a top scorer, and Pau Gasol's consistent performance. However, inconsistency and tension within the team affected their playoff run, ending with a 4-2 series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Chicago Bulls made a significant change in their coaching staff by firing Tom Thibodeau in search of a new approach after the 2014-2015 season.
Fred Hoiberg was appointed as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls on June 2, 2015, following the departure of Tom Thibodeau.
The Chicago Bulls were knocked out of playoff contention after a defeat to the Miami Heat on April 7, 2016, despite finishing the season with a winning record of 42–40.
On June 22, 2016, Derrick Rose was traded to the New York Knicks along with Justin Holiday and a draft pick, marking the end of an era for the Chicago Bulls.
Jimmy Butler, along with Chicago's 2017 first-round pick, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 22, 2017, in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Minnesota's first-round pick.
On October 17, 2017, a fight occurred during practice between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotić, resulting in Mirotić suffering a concussion and two broken bones in his face. Portis was suspended and Mirotić missed games due to the altercation.
On February 1, 2018, the Bulls traded Nikola Mirotić to the New Orleans Pelicans for draft picks and players, including Ömer Aşık, Tony Allen, and Jameer Nelson.
The team's games started being broadcast on Entercom's WSCR (670) on February 3, 2018.
On June 21, 2018, the Bulls selected Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison in the NBA draft.
On July 8, 2018, the Bulls matched an offer Zach LaVine received from the Sacramento Kings, signing him to a four-year, $78 million deal.
On December 3, 2018, the Bulls fired head coach Fred Hoiberg after a poor start to the season and promoted Jim Boylen as the new head coach.
On January 2, 2019, the Bulls agreed to an exclusive multi-year deal with NBC Sports Chicago for television broadcasts.
On January 3, 2019, the Bulls traded Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for players and draft picks.
On February 6, 2019, the Bulls traded Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Otto Porter.
The article mentions the record-breaking 72-10 season of the Chicago Bulls.
On August 14, 2020, the Bulls fired head coach Jim Boylen after a season of changes and poor performance.
On September 22, 2020, the Bulls hired Billy Donovan as the new head coach, who had previously coached the Oklahoma City Thunder.
On March 25, 2021, the Bulls traded Wendell Carter Jr, Otto Porter, and draft picks to the Orlando Magic for Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu.
On July 29, 2021, the Chicago Bulls chose Ayo Dosunmu, a hometown player, with the 38th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft.
On August 2, 2021, the Bulls traded Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, a future draft pick, and cash to acquire Lonzo Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans. They also signed Alex Caruso, a 2020 NBA Champion, as a free agent.
As part of a preseason rebuild on August 11, 2021, the Chicago Bulls announced a trade with the San Antonio Spurs, acquiring four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan in exchange for Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, and draft picks.
On New Year's Day, DeMar DeRozan made history by hitting consecutive buzzer-beaters in two consecutive days, leading the Bulls to victories over the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards.
On January 22, 2022, DeMar DeRozan was announced as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game, recognizing his outstanding performance during the season.
On June 23, 2022, the Chicago Bulls selected Dalen Terry with the 18th pick in the NBA Draft.
On July 7, 2022, the Chicago Bulls extended Zach LaVine's contract to a five-year deal worth $215.2 million, marking the largest contract in Bulls history.
The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.
As of December 13, 2022, the Chicago Bulls are in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference with an 11-15 record, placing them as the eleventh seed.
On February 21, 2023, the Chicago Bulls signed Patrick Beverley for the remainder of the season, aiming to boost the team's performance in the play-in tournament.
In June 2023, the Chicago Bulls secured Vučević and Coby White with three-year contracts and added veteran players Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig to the roster.
On January 12, 2024, the Bulls introduced the Ring of Honor to honor former players and personnel.