Chicago Basketball, 1984-1999

Founded in 1966, Chicago Bulls history prior to 1984 is often referred to as “Pre-Jordan.” Although the early years included such basketball greats as Jerry Sloan, Bob Love and Norm Van Lier, an NBA championship title would elude the team until the arrival of Michael Jordan. With Jordan’s signature one-handed slams, fade-away jump shots and seeming ability to suspend himself in mid-air, the Bulls brought world-wide attention to the NBA. Phil Jackson signed on as head coach in 1989 and the subsequent decade in professional basketball would be dominated by the Bulls. Michael Jordan and a supporting star cast of teammates, Scottie Pippen, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, John Paxson and B.J. Armstrong, would clinch the NBA trophy for three consecutive seasons. Michael Jordan retired in 1993 at the age of 30 to pursue a career in baseball, signing a minor league contract with a Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate. But he came back to basketball a year later. Although the team’s roster would shuffle to include Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper and Tony Kukoc, it was still with Coach Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen that Jordan would outperform to do the unthinkable - another “three-peat” for the 1995-96,1996-97 & 1997-98 seasons. Michael Jordan, retired from basketball at the age of 36, would join the ranks of Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali as an American sports icon. His awards and achievements in basketball remain untouched.