To take the full measure of Chicago basketball through the years, there is only one place to start: number 23
by David Sabino
When you think of the Chicago Bulls, you think of Michael Jordan. And when you think of Michael Jordan, you think of the number 23; no other player has ever been as closely associated with a pair of digits. But 23 is not the only number that holds a significant place in Bulls lore. Take three for instance. Who will ever forget the Jordan-Scottie Pippen-Dennis Rodman triumvirate, a.k.a. the Big Three, or a certain three-sided polygon that serves as the basis for the most feared offense on the planet? Or John Paxson's three-pointer with three-point-nine seconds left that gave the Bulls a three-peat-the first by any team in nearly three decades—back in June of nineteen hundred and ninety... three?
You get the picture. So here's a numerical look at the team, from the unforgettable number 23 down to number 1, which is what the Bulls are once again.
23
Michael Jordan's uniform number, which was once hung—and will be again—from the rafters of the United Center
photo by Heinz Kluetmeier
*Van Lier also wore number 2; Fernsten, 41; Jordan, 12 (for one
game in 1990 when his road uniform was stolen in Orlando) and 45
(for 22 games in '95 after he returned to the Bulls following
his 21-month temporary retirement).
22
The date in June 1987 when the Bulls pulled off the best trade
in franchise history.
Chicago dealt the rights to Virginia center Olden Polynice, its
top draft choice; a first-round pick in 1988 or '89; and the
option to swap '89 first-rounders, to the Seattle SuperSonics
for the rights to a 6'7" forward from Central Arkansas. Scottie
Pippen has averaged 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists
per game with the Bulls.
21
Months that passed from the Bulls' victory over the Phoenix Suns
in the 1993 NBA Finals to the spring of 1995 when Michael Jordan
announced that he would give up his career as a professional
baseball player and return to the Bulls. Jordan, an outfielder,
had played for the Double A Birmingham Barons of the Southern
League for one season.
BULLS' PERFORMANCE DURING MICHAEL JORDAN'S RETIREMENT
JORDAN'S 1994 STATS WITH THE BIRMINGHAM BARONS
20
Years between the ages of Chicago center Robert Parish, the
league's oldest player, who will be 44 in August, and the
youngest Bull, 24-year-old Jason Caffey, who was three when
Parish made his NBA debut, in 1976 with the Golden State Warriors.
19
Record number of consecutive shots made by Bulls guard Craig
Hodges in the finals of the three-point shooting contest at the
NBA's 1991 All-Star weekend. That spurt, which is still a
record, gave Hodges the second of his three straight
long-distance crowns.
18
Different playoff opponents the Bulls have had in their 31-year
history. Chicago has beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers in all five
postseason series, but the Bulls are winless in 10 playoff games
against the Boston Celtics.
TEAMS VERSUS BULLS IN THE POSTSEASON
17
Playoff games that Chicago needed to win its first NBA
championship, in 1991.
The Bulls beat the Knicks in three straight in the first round,
won four of five from the 76ers in the Eastern Conference
semifinals, then swept the Pistons—who had eliminated them in
each of the previous three seasons—in four games in the Eastern
Conference finals. Chicago dropped the first game of the
championship series at home to the Lakers but won the next four.
16
Total NBA championships the Bulls must amass to tie the league
record, held by the Celtics. But with five titles in the 1990s,
Chicago is the undisputed king of the decade.
MOST NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS
MOST NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ONE DECADE
Garrett (above, right) isn't the most famous 23, but he's one of only seven
Bulls who can say they wore it.
BULLS WHO WORE NUMBER 23 BEFORE MICHAEL JORDAN
Bulls Career Games Points PPG
Jackie Dinkins 1971-72 18 45 2.5
Norm Van Lier* 1971-78 535 6,505 12.2
Rowland Garrett 1972-75 160 967 6.0
Eric Fernsten* 1975-76 38 106 2.8
Oliver Mack 1979-81 26 186 7.2
Mike Bratz 1982-83 15 39 2.6
Totals 792 7,848 9.9
Jordan's Totals 1984-present 848 26,920 31.7
Record
Pct.
1993-94 55-27 .671
1994-95 34-31 .523
Totals 89-58 .605
Games AB Runs Hits HRs RBIs SB BB SO BA
127 436 46 88 3 51 30 51 114 .202
Record Series Wins Series Losses Winning Pct.
Boston Celtics 10-0 3 0 1.000
Milwaukee Bucks 8-4 2 1 .667
Golden State Warriors 4-3 1 0 .571
Los Angeles Lakers 13-11 4 1 .542
St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks 8-7 2 2 .533
Detroit Pistons 15-14 3 2 .517
Portland Trail Blazers 4-5 1 1 .444
Orlando Magic 4-6 1 1 .400
Kansas City-Omaha Kings 2-4 0 1 .333
New York Knicks 12-24 1 6 .333
Phoenix Suns 2-4 0 1 .333
Seattle SuperSonics 2-4 0 1 .333
Utah Jazz 2-4 0 1 .333
Cleveland Cavaliers 8-20 0 5 .286
Charlotte Hornets 1-3 0 1 .250
Philadelphia 76ers 2-8 0 2 .200
Miami Heat 1-10 0 3 .091
Washington Bullets 0-3 0 1 .000
Boston Celtics 16 Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers 11 Chicago Bulls 5 Philadelphia and Golden State Warriors 3 Syracuse Nationals and Philadelphia 76ers 3
Boston Celtics 1960s 9 Chicago Bulls 1990s 5 Los Angeles Lakers 1980s 5 Minneapolis Lakers 1950s 4
