The Chicago Bulls History: Every Award Their Players And Coaches Have Won
Since 1966-67, the Chicago Bulls have become one of the most successful and most recognizable brands in the NBA. While most of that success can be attributed to one era and one player, the history of the Chicago Bulls runs far deeper than that. In their 58-year history, the Bulls have accumulated a 2,353-2,270 record or a 50.9% winning percentage. This includes a 61.3% winning percentage in home games.
Today, just as we have done with the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors, we are going to comb through every inch of Bulls history to bring you every award-winner and championship team in their franchise’s history. From Finals MVPs to Rookies of the Year, these Bulls players have all represented the franchise with the utmost integrity and professionalism.
This is the history of the Chicago Bulls and every award their players and coaches have won.
NBA Championships
6 Championship Teams
1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
As stated above, the Chicago Bulls have won six NBA championships in their team’s history. All six of their championships would come during the 1990s led by their star duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The Bulls would become the first team to three-peat as NBA champions since the days of the Boston Celtics in the 1960s, and they would do it twice during the decade.
Their first NBA championship would come in 1991 after finally getting over the playoff hump of the Detroit Pistons. In the 1991 Finals, Michael Jordan would lead the Bulls to a five-game series win over Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and the Lakers. Jordan would average over 30.0 points and over 11.0 assists per game to get the job done while Scottie Pippen averaged 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game.
The following season, the Bulls would return to the NBA Finals for a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. This time, the story was the impending shooting guard matchup between Clyde Drexler of Portland and Michael Jordan. As many speculated if Drexler was on Jordan’s level, Jordan quickly put the debate to bed with another Finals MVP performance with over 35.5 points per game on 52.6% shooting. The Bulls would win in six games with Pippen once again contributing 20.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game.
For their third championship in a row, the Bulls had their work cut out for them in 1993. Facing off against the Phoenix Suns and their MVP Charles Barkley, the Bulls sought out to prove why they were still the kings of the league. Michael Jordan would set an NBA record with 41.0 points per game in the series, securing Chicago’s third straight NBA title and his third straight Finals MVP award.
After two years of missing out on the NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls made history during the 1996 season. They would go out and win 72 regular season games and demolish the Eastern Conference en route to their fourth NBA Finals appearance. In this series against a tough Seattle SuperSonics team led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, the Bulls would prevail in six games once again. Jordan was once again the leader of the pack with Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman having his back.
In 1997 and 1998, the Bulls would meet a familiar foe in the NBA Finals. In both instances, they would face off with the Utah Jazz led by one of the greatest duos ever in John Stockton and Karl Malone. Even with different expectations from 1997 to 1998, the Bulls prevailed both times in six games to become NBA champions for the fifth and sixth time. The Bulls had officially three-peated twice as NBA champions, something only the Celtics can say they ever did in NBA history.
Finals MVP
Michael Jordan 6x (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
In every NBA championship won by the Chicago Bulls, there was a clear-cut best player on the court. Michael Jordan got the job done on both ends to earn an NBA record six Finals MVPs in all six of their championship wins. In 1991, he became Finals MVP with 31.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 11.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. In 1992, Jordan would lead in the takedown of the Portland Trail Blazers in six games with 35.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 52.6% shooting.
The Bulls would make their way back to the NBA Finals for the third year in a row in 1993 against the Phoenix Suns. In the series, Jordan would average an NBA-record 41.0 points per game along with 8.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game on 50.8% shooting overall and 40.0% from three. After a nearly two-year hiatus, Jordan returned to lead the Bulls back to championship glory in 1996. In a Finals MVP performance against the SuperSonics, he would average 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game to earn Finals MVP honors.
In 1997 and 1998, Jordan would once again lead the Bulls to their fifth and sixth NBA championships. In 1997, Jordan would finish off the Jazz in six games with 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 45.6% shooting. In 1998, the Jazz were seen as favorites in the series against Chicago but once again, Jordan put that to rest quickly. He would earn his NBA record sixth Finals MVP with 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game on 42.7% shooting as the Bulls won their sixth title in six games.
MVP
Michael Jordan 5x (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), Derrick Rose (2011)
Only two players have won the MVP award in the history of the Chicago Bulls. Of course, Michael Jordan leads the way with five MVP awards in an 11-season span from 1988 through 1998. The 1988 season was special as an individual for Jordan who captured MVP with a league-leading 35.0 points and league-leading 3.2 steals per game. In all four other seasons in which he won the MVP, he was also the NBA’s scoring leader, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive First Team. No other player has earned those accolades in the same season in NBA history.
In 2011, Derrick Rose made NBA history for the Chicago Bulls by becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history. Rose was just 22 years old and in his third season when he earned the honor for the 2010-11 season. In 81 games played that season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He shot 43.5% from the floor as well while leading the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 62-20.
Rookie Of The Year
Michael Jordan (1985), Elton Brand (2000), Derrick Rose (2009)
In their long and illustrious history, the Chicago Bulls have had three players win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. Their first winner, to no surprise, was Michael Jordan during the 1984-85 season. As the third overall pick in the draft, Jordan came in and completely took over the league from day one. In 82 games, Jordan would average 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 51.5% from the field.
It would be another 15 seasons before the Bulls got their next Rookie of the Year award winner. Elton Brand was Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft and in his first season would reassure Chicago that it was the correct choice. Brand would be named Rookie of the Year with 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He shot 48.2% from the field but the Bulls struggled as a team, winning just 17 games that season with 65 losses.
Two years before he became an MVP, Derrick Rose would deliver the third Rookie of the Year season in Bulls history. In 81 games in 2008-09, Rose would average 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. The biggest improvement could be seen in Chicago’s overall record as they went on to win 41 games, an eight-game increase from the previous season.
Defensive Player Of The Year
Michael Jordan (1988), Joakim Noah (2014)
In the 1982-83 season, the NBA introduced the Defensive Player of the Year award honoring the best individual defender in the entire league. In 1988, the Bulls got their first winner of the award, Michael Jordan, with a season that is still regarded as one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history. Jordan earned the award by leading the NBA in steals with 3.2 per game while also adding 1.6 blocks per game. Jordan would earn MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, and the scoring title as well with 35.0 points per game on 53.5% shooting.
The Bulls would not see their next Defensive Player of the Year for another 26 years. It would come in the form of Joakim Noah, a 6’11’’ center in his ninth season in the NBA. Noah, an All-Star and All-Defensive Team player, would play 80 games for the Bulls that season and averaged 11.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game to win the award. It was Noah’s second straight All-Defensive First Team selection and third straight overall.
Sixth Man Of The Year
Toni Kukoc (1996), Ben Gordon (2005)
In the same 1982-83 season that the NBA introduced Defensive Player of the Year, they also introduced the Sixth Man of the Year award honoring the league’s best bench player. In their historic run to 72 wins in 1996, the Bulls got their first Sixth Man of the Year award winner. In just his third season in the league, Toni Kukoc earned the award by appearing in 61 games off the bench for Chicago. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 49.0% shooting from the field.
It would be another 19 seasons until the Bulls got another Sixth Man of the Year award winner. This time, it was a historic feat by Ben Gordon in the 2004-05 season. What made it historic was the fact that Gordon was a rookie when he won the award for Chicago. He appeared in 78 games off the bench, averaging 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 41.1% from the field and helped the Bulls win 47 games.
Coach Of The Year
Johnny Kerr (1967), Dick Motta (1971), Phil Jackson (1996), Tom Thibodeau (2011)
There have been four instances in Chicago Bulls history when their coaches were honored with the Coach of the Year award. The first time it occurred would be in 1967 when coach Johnny Kerr was given the award for leading the Bulls to a 33-48 record in their first season as a team in the NBA. The Bulls would advance to the playoffs but lose in the Western Division Semifinals. Four years later, Dick Motta was named Coach of the Year after leading Chicago to a 51-31 record and another loss in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Bulls would have to wait 25 years for another coach to come along and win the award. This time, it came under historic circumstances and was awarded to one of the greatest coaches ever, Phil Jackson. After winning 72 games, Jackson was named Coach of the Year and led the Bulls to their fourth NBA title in six years. Another 15 seasons would pass before defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau led his team to 62 wins to capture the award. The Bulls would go on to lose in the Eastern Conference Finals.
All-Star Game MVP
Michael Jordan 3x (1988, 1996, 1998), Scottie Pippen (1994)
For most of us basketball fans, the All-Star Game MVP has lost its mojo over the years. There was a time when it was a badge of honor amongst players though just as it was when Michael Jordan won it three times and Scottie Pippen captured it once. Jordan would win All-Star Game MVP in 1988, 1996, and 1998. In 1988, Jordan scorched the competition for 40 points on 73.9% shooting. In 1996, he earned it by going for 20 points on 72.7% shooting, and in 1998, he won by 23 points on 55.6% shooting.
The only other player in Bulls history to win the All-Star Game MVP would be Scottie Pippen in 1994. In the game, Pippen would score 29 points with 11 rebounds and 4 steals on 60.0% shooting from the field. It would be the last time that a Chicago Bulls player not named Michael Jordan won the award.
Scoring Titles
Michael Jordan 10x (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Surprise surprise, Michael Jordan is the only player in Chicago Bulls history to win the NBA scoring title. Jordan is the NBA’s all-time leader in scoring titles with 10 to his name between the 1987 and 1998 seasons. In eight of those 10 seasons, Jordan would average 30.0 points per game or more for the season to win the scoring title.
Jordan’s best stretch as the NBA’s scoring leader would come in his seven consecutive wins from 1987 through 1993. During that time, he matched Wilt Chamberlain’s previous NBA record of seven total scoring titles, Over this stretch, Jordan averaged 33.2 points per game on 51.8% shooting. In his three scoring titles from 1996 through 1998, he averaged 29.6 points per game on 48.2% shooting.
Assists Titles
Guy Rodgers (1967)
In the entire history of the Chicago Bulls, only one player has been able to capture an NBA assists title. That one title is held by Guy Rodgers who had previously won an assists title with the Warriors in 1963. Rodgers’ second assists title would come in 1967, the inaugural season of the Chicago Bulls. Rodgers would lead the NBA with 11.2 assists per game and lead the Bulls to a playoff spot where they were swept in the first round by the St. Louis Hawks.