The rise and fall of Michael Jordan and his Bulls dynasty, including the 30 teammates who helped him win six championships. Timeline runs from Jordan’s selection in the 1984 draft to Scottie Pippen’s 2003 homecoming.
1984
June
Forgoing his senior year at North Carolina, Michael Jordan is drafted #3 overall by the Bulls
October
In his NBA debut, Michael Jordan scores 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting in a Bulls victory over the Bullets
1985
March
Jerry Krause is promoted to general manager of the Bulls, replacing the fired Rod Thorn
May
Despite finishing with a losing record of 38-44, the Bulls make the playoffs as the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference and are defeated in the first round by the Bucks in four games (in a best-of-five). Michael Jordan averages 29.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in the series
June
Kevin Loughery is fired as head coach and replaced by Stan Albeck. Jerry Krause then hires his longtime friend Tex Winter as an assistant coach, asking him to install his patented triangle offense
October
John Paxson is signed, leaving the Spurs
In just the third game of the ’85-’86 season, Michael Jordan suffers a broken foot that sidelines him for four-and-a-half months
1986
March
Despite strong pressure from franchise owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Jerry Krause to sit out the remainder of the ’85-’86 season, Michael Jordan returns from his broken foot to play in the final 15 games. A compromise is reached on a minutes limitation, which frustrates Jordan. Coach Stan Albeck is caught in the middle and eventually sides with Jordan, alleviating his minutes restriction against the wishes of Krause
April
A fully unleashed, non-restricted Michael Jordan goes off for a playoff record 63 points during a first round series loss against the eventual champion Celtics. The Bulls managed to reach the postseason despite finishing with a 30-52 record
May
After just one season as head coach in which he butted heads regularly with general manager Jerry Krause, Stan Albeck is fired and replaced by a 35-year-old Doug Collins
1987
February
For the third consecutive season, Michael Jordan is voted in as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter. He struggles in the game, as most of his veteran teammates do not pass to him, as part of a freeze-out spearheaded by Pistons stars Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer.
April
Michael Jordan wins his first of an eventual 10 NBA scoring titles, averaging a career high 37.1 points per game. He also becomes just the second player in league history to total over 3,000 points in a season
For the second straight season, the Bulls are swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Celtics
June
The Bulls acquire two cornerstones of their dynasty on NBA Draft day, selecting Horace Grant (Clemson) with the #10 overall pick and trading the #8 overall pick to the SuperSonics in exchange for Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas)
October
Phil Jackson is hired as an assistant coach. He replaces Gene Littles, who had left to join the front office of the impending Charlotte expansion franchise
1988
April
For the first time in Michael Jordan’s career, the Bulls finish the regular season with a winning record. At 52-30, they enter the playoffs as the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference
Michael Jordan becomes the first, and still only, player in NBA history to earn league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the scoring title all in the same season
May
The Bulls win a playoff series for the first time in Michael Jordan’s career, defeating the Cavaliers in five games in the first round. Jordan averages 45.2 points per game in the series
In the Conference Semifinals, the Bulls take on the Pistons for the first of an eventual four straight playoffs. Detroit easily wins the series in five games, with all four of their victories by double digits
June
Bill Cartwright is acquired from the Knicks via trade, in exchange for Charles Oakley. The move rankles Michael Jordan, who considered Oakley to be his best friend on the team and something of a personal enforcer on the court. Jordan initially derides the talented but oft-injured Cartwright until a practice confrontation that earns Jordan’s respect
Will Perdue (Vanderbilt) is drafted with the #11 overall pick
September
Horace Grant and Greg Foster are acquired as part of a four-team trade also involving the SuperSonics, Knicks, and Suns. The Lakers trade away Travis Knight and Glen Rice and also receive Emanual Davis and Chuck Person
October
Horace Grant becomes the full time starting power forward at the start of the ’88-’89 season, replacing the traded Charles Oakley, while the recently acquired Bill Cartwright takes over at center. When the Bulls start off slow with a disappointing 8-8 record, Scottie Pippen takes over as starting small forward over the struggling Brad Sellers. The Bulls proceed to win 14 of their next 20 games
December
Craig Hodges is acquired via trade with the Suns, in exchange for Ed Nealy and a second round pick
1989
April
After losing eight of their final 10 games to end the season with a 47-35 record, the Bulls enter the playoffs as the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference
May
Michael Jordan hits “The Shot,” an off-balance buzzer beater to defeat the Cavaliers in a winner-take-all game five of their first round series
The Bulls pull off a second consecutive postseason series upset, defeating the #2 seed Knicks in six games in the Conference Semifinals
June
In Michael Jordan’s first Conference Finals appearance, the Bulls are defeated by the eventual champion Pistons in six games. Jordan is hounded throughout the series by Detroit’s “Jordan Rules” defense, especially from their perimeter defensive specialist Joe Dumars
Stacey King (Oklahoma) is drafted with the #6 overall pick
B.J. Armstrong (Iowa) is drafted with the #18 overall pick. The Bulls had acquired the pick one day prior by trading Brad Sellers to the SuperSonics
July
Despite the team’s success in the 1989 playoffs and his contract still having one year remaining, Doug Collins is fired as head coach and replaced by Phil Jackson
1990
April
The Bulls finish the regular season with a 55-27 record and enter the playoffs as the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They easily defeat the Bucks and 76ers in their first two playoff series, setting up a rematch in the Conference Finals with the Pistons
June
A hard fought Eastern Conference Finals comes down to game seven, where the Pistons blow out the Bulls 93-74 to clinch the series. Dealing with the effects of a migraine, Scottie Pippen struggles in the deciding game seven, scoring just two points on 1-of-10 shooting. A frustrated Michael Jordan breaks in tears on the team bus after the game. Newly determined, Jordan puts on 15 pounds of muscle in the ensuing offseason and agrees to play more within Phil Jackson and Tex Winters’ triangle offense system
Dennis Hopson is acquired via trade with the Nets, in exchange for a first round pick and two second round picks
Toni Kukoc is drafted #29 overall. General manager Jerry Krause views Kukoc as a potential superstar and future of the franchise, but Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are annoyed by the pick, preferring a player who could contribute immediately
July
Un-drafted free agent Scott Williams is signed
October
Cliff Levingston is signed, departing the Hawks
The Bulls get off to a slow start in the ’90-’91 season, losing their first three games. But they recover to win 41 of their next 52
1991
April
The Bulls finish the season with a 61-21 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Michael Jordan is named league MVP for the second time and wins his fifth consecutive scoring title. They proceed to sweep the Knicks in a first round series and then defeat the 76ers in five games in the Conference Semifinals
May
The Bulls finally overcome the Pistons and do in decisive fashion, sweeping Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. At the conclusion of the deciding game four, many Pistons veterans, including Isiah Thomas, opt to forgo the customary handshake line.
June
The Bulls are champions for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Lakers in five games in the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan earns his first of an eventual six Finals MVP trophies
November
The Bulls begin the ’91-’92 season with the exact same roster that won the title one year prior. A few days into the season, they make one minor change, trading Dennis Hopson to the Kings in exchange for Bob Hansen
1992
February
Despite two straight losses right before the All-Star break, the Bulls hit the midway point of the season with a dominant 39-9 record. Phil Jackson makes his debut as an All-Star coach, while Michael Jordan makes his eighth appearance and Scottie Pippen his second
April
The Bulls finish the regular season with a franchise record 67 wins. It’s the fourth winningest season in NBA history, cementing this team as one of the all-time greats
June
The Bulls win their second consecutive title, defeating the Trail Blazers in six games in the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan is once again named Finals MVP. In a game on victory, Jordan sets a Finals record with 35 points in the first half and makes his infamous shrug after nailing a three-pointer
Bob Hansen is released, ending his NBA career
July
Craig Hodges is waived. No other team signs him and his NBA career ends. He later sues the league for an alleged blackballing scheme
September
Rodney McCray is acquired via trade with the Mavericks, in exchange for Byron Houston and two second round picks
With the Bulls not offering him a new contract, Cliff Levingston signs with the Greek club PAOK
October
Trent Tucker is signed after being waived by the Spurs
1993
January
Darrell Walker is signed to a 10-day contract. When the contract expires, he is signed for the remainder of the season
April
Dealing with fatigue and injuries, most notably to John Paxson, the Bulls finish the ’91-’92 season with a 57-25 record and the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference
June
A much hyped Eastern Conference Finals ends with the Bulls defeating the Knicks in six games. They subsequently defeat Charles Barkley and the Suns in the NBA Finals to become the first team since the Celtics in 1966 to win three consecutive titles. Michael Jordan becomes the first player to earn three consecutive Finals MVP awards
August
Rodney McCray retires at age 31, citing complications from hernia surgery
Michael Jordan’s father James is murdered at age 56. His body is found in a swamp in South Carolina and two teenagers are eventually arrested for the murder
September
Steve Kerr is signed, leaving the Magic
Bill Wennington is signed, ending a two-year stint playing professionally in Italy
October
Citing mental and physical exhaustion, Michael Jordan announces his retirement. The Bulls enter the ’93-’94 season with an uncertain future
November
Unable to work out a new contract with the Bulls, Trent Tucker sits out the ’93-’94 season and ultimately retires without playing another game
Toni Kukoc makes his NBA debut, three years after the Bulls drafted him
December
After a slow start in the wake of Michael Jordan’s retirement, Scottie Pippen leads the Bulls on a 10-game win streak to end the calendar year with a 18-9 record
1994
February
Michael Jordan signs a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and reports to spring training. He is eventually assigned to the affiliate Birmingham Barons
The Bulls enter the All-Star break with an impressive 34-13 record and Scottie Pippen earns MVP of the All-Star Game. Both Horace Grant and B.J. Armstrong make their All-Star debut
Luc Longley is acquired from the Timberwolves, along with a second round pick, in exchange for Stacey King
April
With three losses in their final four games, the Bulls slip to the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 55-27 record
May
The Bulls are defeated by the Knicks in the Conference Semifinals in seven games. It marks the first time in six years that the Bulls are eliminated prior to the Conference Finals. The series includes an infamous moment in which Scottie Pippen refuses to re-enter a game after Phil Jackson draws up a late play for Toni Kukoc
June
Dickey Simpkins (Providence) is drafted #21 overall
July
Scott Williams departs as a free agent, signing with the 76ers
August
John Paxson retires at age 33
September
Michael Jordan ends his first season with the Birmingham Barons batting just .202 with three home runs. He soon after plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League
Bill Cartwright departs as a free agent, signing with the SuperSonics
Ron Harper is signed, leaving the Clippers
Jud Buechler is signed, leaving the Warriors
Upset with a perceived lack of respect from Bulls management, Horace Grant departs as a free agent, signing with the Magic
November
In a ceremony right before the start of the ’94-’95 season, the Bulls retire Michael Jordan’s #23 jersey and unveil a statue of his likeness outside the newly opened United Center
1995
January
Due to an ongoing players strike, the MLB league office approves the use of replacement players for the upcoming 1995 season. Michael Jordan supposedly retires from baseball in response, to avoid being a replacement player. It was later revealed that Jordan actually retired due to a parking dispute with White Sox executives
March
Michael Jordan officially announces his return to the NBA via fax. At the time of his comeback, the Bulls are 34-31. With Jordan in the lineup, they win 13 of their final 17 games to finish 47-35 and enter the playoffs as the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference
May
Despite the presence of Michael Jordan, the Bulls are defeated by the Magic in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
June
B.J. Armstrong is selected by the Toronto Raptors in their expansion draft
Jason Caffey (Alabama) is drafted with the #28 overall pick
October
Dennis Rodman is acquired via trade with the Spurs, in exchange for Will Perdue
Randy Brown is signed, leaving the Kings
17-year veteran James Edwards is signed after being released by the Trail Blazers. Edwards was part of the “Bad Boys” Pistons teams that had a contentious rivalry with Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the late ’80s and early ’90s
1996
February
The Bulls hit the All-Star break with a 42-5 record. That includes an 18-game winning streak and an undefeated January (14-0)
March
John Salley is signed, after being waived by the Raptors. The second member of the “Bad Boys” Pistons to team up with Michael Jordan in Chicago, Salley would eventually become the first player in NBA history to win titles with three teams (Pistons, Bulls, and then Lakers in 2000)
April
Arguably the greatest regular season of all time ends with the Bulls winning a record 72 games. They also set the record for road wins in a season, with 33. Michael Jordan is named league MVP for the fourth time in his career
May
The Bulls get their revenge on the Magic, avenging a loss from the prior playoffs by sweeping Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals
June
The Bulls defeat the SuperSonics in six games in the NBA Finals, closing out arguably the most dominant season in NBA history. Michael Jordan is named Finals MVP for a record fourth time
James Edwards retires at age 40
September
A 43-year-old Robert Parish is signed after being released by the Hornets. A three-time champion with the Celtics, Parish goes on to earn his fourth career title with the Bulls in 1997 before retiring as the all-time NBA leader in games played
John Salley signs a contract with the powerhouse Greek squad Panathinaikos. Salley would eventually return to the NBA in ’99-’00, playing one last season with the Lakers before retiring
1997
April
Bison Dele (then Brian Williams) is signed. He had last played in the ’95-’96 season with the Clippers
The Bulls come up just short of another 70-win season, finishing 69-13 and as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Michael Jordan finishes second in MVP voting behind Karl Malone, in a controversial decision
June
In an eventful series that includes the renowned “Flu Game,” Michael Jordan and the Bulls defeat the Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals. Jordan is named Finals MVP for the fifth time
August
Bison Dele departs as a free agent, signing with the Pistons
September
Scott Burrell is acquired via trade from the Warriors, in exchange for Dickey Simpkins
October
The Bulls begin the ’97-’98 season under heavy speculation that it will be the last together for Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson. Additionally, Pippen misses the first 35 games due to offseason toe surgery
1998
February
Jason Caffey is traded to the Warriors in exchange for David Vaughn and two second round picks. Vaughn is waived just a couple weeks later and is not part of the postseason roster
March
Dickey Simpkins is signed after being waived by the Warriors
May
For the first and only time in their six title runs, the Bulls are pushed to the limit in a playoff series, as they defeat the Pacers in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals
June
Michael Jordan hits “The Final Shot,” a game winner in an NBA Finals game six victory over the Jazz to clinch the Bulls’ third consecutive title and sixth in an eight year stretch. Jordan is named Finals MVP for the sixth time. Of the 10 players who take the court for the Bulls in this game, only three ever suit up for them again (Ron Harper, Bill Wennington, and Toni Kukoc)
Phil Jackson resigns as head coach. The position remains open for over six months due to the NBA lockout taking effect on July 1
1999
January
Michael Jordan announces his retirement. A week later, he is introduced as the new president of basketball operations for the Wizards
Tim Floyd is hired as head coach, replacing Phil Jackson. He is rumored to have been Jerry Krause’s preferred heir apparent to Jackson for several years
In the first week of the lockout being lifted, the Bulls release Dennis Rodman (who signs with the Lakers), Jud Buechler (who signs with the Pistons), Scott Burrell (who signs with the Nets), and John Salley (who had not played since 1997 but makes a brief comeback with the Lakers)
Steve Kerr is traded to the Spurs in exchange for Chuck Person and a first round pick. Kerr subsequently becomes just the second player ever to win back-to-back titles with a different team each year
Scottie Pippen is traded to the Rockets in exchange for Roy Rogers and a second round pick. Houston’s one year “superteam” experiment with Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley is a disappointment, ending in a first round loss
Luc Longley is traded to the Suns in exchange for Mark Bryant, Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, and a first round pick
February
With a new starting lineup of Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, Mark Bryant, Andrew Lang, and Brent Barry, the Bulls start the ’98-’99 season with 10 losses in their first 12 games
May
The Bulls close out the ’98-’99 season much like they started it, with 14 losses in their final 17 games to finish with a 13-37 record. They become one of only three title winners to finish below .500 the next season, one of just two to miss the playoffs entirely, and the only defending champ to finish in last place in the conference
June
Phil Jackson is named as head coach of the Lakers. He goes to lead the team to five championships in the next 10 seasons
September
Bill Wennington departs as a free agent, signing with the Kings
Ron Harper is released. He soon after signs with the Lakers and closes out his career with two more titles
2000
February
For the first time in 16 years, the Bulls have no representation at the All-Star Game (note: the 1999 edition was cancelled due to the lockout). It would take another 10 years for a Bulls player to be selected, when Derrick Rose gets the call in 2010
As part of a three-team trade, Toni Kukoc is sent to the 76ers. In return, the Bulls receive John Starks, Bruce Bowen, and a first round pick
March
After a brief stint with the Mavericks, Dennis Rodman is waived, ending his NBA career
April
Despite the presence of Rookie of the Year winner Elton Brand, the Bulls set a franchise record by finishing the ’99-’00 season with 65 losses. By season’s end, only Randy Brown and Dickey Simpkins remain from the 1998 title team, and both depart as free agents in the subsequent offseason
August
Randy Brown departs as a free agent, signing with the Celtics
October
Dickey Simpkins departs as a free agent, signing with the SuperSonics
2001
April
A third straight disastrous season for the Bulls ends with another new franchise worst 15-67 record
In a move many consider foreshadowing of his comeback, Michael Jordan hires his old coach Doug Collins as head coach of the Wizards
September
Michael Jordan announces his second comeback, this time with the Wizards. It ultimately lasts just two seasons
2003
April
Having announced his third and final retirement before the ’02-’03 season, Michael Jordan plays in his final NBA game
Jerry Krause resigns as general manager, citing exhaustion from the prior five years of failed rebuilding attempts
July
After one season with the Rockets and four with the Trail Blazers, Scottie Pippen signs with the Bulls as a 38-year-old free agent. He plays in one last season with the Bulls before retiring
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