The Chicago Bulls are one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, thanks in large part to MJ—you might’ve heard of him.
While Jordan is no doubt the crown jewel of the Bulls, Chicago has seen its fair share of talent over the years.
From high-flying MVPs like Derrick Rose to defensive specialists like Joakim Noah, the Bulls have had players who could do it all—well, except for winning championships without Jordan.
Although they didn’t have much success before or after His Airness, there were many great individual seasons performances along the way.
Best Chicago Bulls Players Ranked
Here’s a look at the top 10 Bulls players of all time, starting with you know who…
1. Michael Jordan
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 31.5
- RPG: 6.3
- APG: 5.4
- MVP Awards: 5
- All-NBA Teams: 11x First Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 9x First Team
- Championships: 6
Michael Jordan is not only the greatest Chicago Bull of all time, but also widely regarded as the GOAT in NBA history.
His resume speaks for itself: six NBA championships, five NBA MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and six Finals MVPs.
Jordan’s fierce drive and competitiveness, clutch performances, and ability to dominate on both ends of the floor made him the face of the Bulls’ dynasty and the global icon of the NBA.
He also makes it to #4 on our greatest NBA defenders of all-time.
2. Scottie Pippen
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 17.7
- RPG: 6.7
- APG: 5.3
- All-NBA Teams: 3x First Team, 2x Second Team, 2x Third Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 8x First Team, 2x Second Team
- Championships: 6
Scottie Pippen was the perfect Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman, one of the best two-way players and perimeter defenders in NBA history.
Pippen’s ability to guard multiple positions and run the offense made him the ultimate sidekick.
A seven-time All-Star and six-time NBA champion, Pippen’s time at the to the Bulls dynasty were invaluable, and his presence allowed Jordan to take his game to new heights.
Pippen and Jordan rank #1 in our greatest NBA duos of all-time.
3. Derrick Rose
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 19.7
- RPG: 3.7
- APG: 6.2
- MVP Awards: 1
- All-NBA Teams: 1x First Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 0
The youngest MVP in NBA history, D-Rose stunned the basketball world with his explosive athleticism and ability to dominate games.
Rose’s rise was meteoric, as he led the Bulls to the top of the Eastern Conference in 2011.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed Rose’s career, but his impact on the franchise during his prime was undeniable.
Rose remains one of the most beloved Bulls players for his heart, determination, and connection to his hometown of Chicago.
4. Jerry Sloan
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 14.7
- RPG: 7.7
- APG: 2.5
- All-NBA Teams: 0
- All-Defensive Teams: 4x First Team, 2x Second Team
Before Jerry Sloan became a Hall of Fame coach, he was a pretty damn good player for the Chicago Bulls.
Known for his toughness and defensive prowess, Sloan was a two-time All-Star and one of the best defensive guards during his playing days.
Sloan’s hard-nosed approach to the game embodied the grit and determination of Chicago basketball, making him a fan favorite and a franchise cornerstone.
He is also #7 on our list of the best NBA coaches in history.
5. Artis Gilmore
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 19.3
- RPG: 11.1
- BPG: 2.5
- All-NBA Teams: 1x Second Team, 4x ABA First Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 0
Artis Gilmore brought size, strength, and skill to the center position for the Bulls during the 1970s and early 1980s.
A seven-time All-Star (including his time in the ABA), Gilmore was a force in the paint, both as a scorer and rebounder.
Gilmore’s size and strength around the rim made the Bulls a tough team to play against, and his impact in the city of Chicago is still honoured today.
6. Bob Love
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 21.3
- RPG: 6.8
- APG: 1.8
- All-NBA Teams: 2x Second Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 3x First Team
Bob Love was one of the Bulls’ first stars, known for his scoring ability and defensive play.
Love was a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection during his time at the Bulls.
His mid-range game and ability to defend more than one position made him a key player for the Bulls in the 1970s.
Love’s No. 10 jersey was retired by the Bulls.
7. Joakim Noah
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 9.3
- RPG: 9.4
- APG: 3.0
- All-NBA Teams: 1x First Team
- All-Defensive Teams: 2x First Team, 1x Second Team
- Defensive Player of the Year: 1
A fan favorite and emotional leader, Joakim Noah brought energy, defense, and passion to the Bulls during the 2010s.
Noah was a two-time All-Star, a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection, and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014.
His hustle, hair, intensity, and ability to impact both ends of the floor made him a cult hero in the Windy City, and his leadership helped the Bulls remain competitive during the Derrick Rose era.
8. Toni Kukoc
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 14.1
- RPG: 4.8
- APG: 4.2
- All-NBA Teams: 0
- All-Defensive Teams: 0
- Championships: 3
Toni Kukoc was one of the first European players to make a big impact in the NBA, playing a key role in the Bulls’ second three-peat during the late 1990s.
Known for his skill for a big man and smooth left-handed shooting stroke, Kukoc could play multiple positions and was a big piece off the bench.
He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1996 and provided the Bulls with a much-needed scoring punch alongside Jordan and Pippen.
9. Horace Grant
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 12.6
- RPG: 8.6
- BPG: 1.1
- All-NBA Teams: 0
- All-Defensive Teams: 4x Second Team
- Championships: 3
Horace Grant was the unsung hero of the Bulls’ first three-peat, providing defense, rebounding, and toughness alongside Jordan and Pippen.
Grant was a one-time All-Star and a four-time NBA champion, three of which came with the Bulls (the other with the Lakers in 2001).
His desire to do the dirty work and defend some of the league’s best power forwards made him a big piece of the Bulls’ success in the early 1990s.
10. Luol Deng
Career Stats with Bulls:
- PPG: 16.1
- RPG: 6.4
- APG: 2.5
- All-NBA Teams: 0
- All-Defensive Teams: 0
Luol Deng was nothing if not onsistent for the Bulls during his time in Chicago, adding scoring, defense, and leadership on a nightly basis.
Deng was a two-time All-Star and one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in his prime.
He guarded multiple positions on the floor and was valuable on both ends of the floor, making him a key player for the Bulls during the 2010s.
Chicago Bulls All-Time Starting 5
Given all of the above statistics and achievements, lets’ take a look at the Chicago Bulls all-time starting five.
| Position | Player | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Derrick Rose | 19.7 | 3.7 | 6.2 |
| SG | Michael Jordan | 31.5 | 6.3 | 5.4 |
| SF | Scottie Pippen | 17.7 | 6.7 | 5.3 |
| PF | Horace Grant | 12.6 | 8.6 | 2.2 |
| C | Artis Gilmore | 19.3 | 11.1 | 2.5 |
The Chicago Bulls’ history is packed with some great players who have managed to leave a lasting impact in both the Windy City and the NBA.
Sure, Jordan and Pippen brought home the bacon with six titles, but let’s not forget the gritty play of players like Joakim Noah and Horace Grant, who did a lot of the dirty work without much of the glory.
These 10 players have carried the Bulls on their shoulders and helped shape the legacy of one of the NBA’s most celebrated franchises.
Check out our top 10 NBA coaches of all-time if you love this sort of stuff – and our Top 10 Knicks players in history.
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