Sub-Categories: Michael Jordan Trivia
Before the Bulls went on to become one of the NBA's most storied franchises, they were the best expansion team. Coached by Chicagoan and former NBA star Johnny "Red" Kerr, and led by former NBA assist leader Guy Rodgers, guard Jerry Sloan and forward Bob Boozer, the Bulls posted a 33-48 record in 1966-67 and qualified for the playoffs, the only NBA team to do so in their inaugural season.
When the Bulls selected Jerry Sloan in the 1966 NBA expansion draft, he became known as "the Original Bull." A two-time NBA All-Star, he was known for his tenacious defense and leading the team to the playoffs in their very first season. Sloan played ten seasons with the Bulls and was the franchise leader in games played when he retired in 1976. On February 17, 1978, his No. 4 jersey became the first jersey number retired by the Bulls.
Jordan's individual accolades and accomplishments include five league MVP Awards, six NBA Finals MVP Awards, ten scoring titles, ten All-NBA First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP Awards, three steals titles, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Dennis Rodman caused major consternation when he left the team prior to Game Four to go wrestling with Hulk Hogan. He was fined $20,000, but it was not even ten percent of what he earned with this stint, and Rodman's on-court performance remained top-notch, shutting down Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone in Game Four.
Point guard Guy Rodgers played the 1966-67 season in Chicago and was named an NBA All-Star for the fourth and final time in his career. That same season, Rodgers averaged 18.0 points and handed out a then-NBA record 908 assists, which is still the Chicago Bulls single-season record.
Game three of the '74 Western Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks became a circus after Bulls forward Chet Walker was called for a foul on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Coach Dick Motta believed Abdul-Jabbar had tripped Walker and made his opinion known to referee Earl Strom. Injured player Jerry Sloan got in the mix, as did Benny the Bull. All three were ejected, and the Bulls were routed by the Bucks, who swept the series.
Phil Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998, leading them to six NBA championships and a regular season record of 545-193. His .738 winning percentage is the highest in franchise history.
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