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.
Goat arrives
Forgoing his senior year at North Carolina, Michael Jordan declares himself eligible for the NBA Draft and is selected #3 overall by the Bulls
Krause up the chain
Jerry Krause is promoted to general manager of the Bulls, replacing the fired Rod Thorn.
One of Krause’s first actions in the ensuing offseason is firing the entire coaching staff, hiring Stan Albeck as head coach and longtime friend Tex Winter as an assistant coach
Successful rookie season
Michael Jordan earns Rookie of the Year and makes his playoff debut. The Bulls enter the postseason as the #7 seed and lose to the Bucks in the first round
Broken foot, strained relationship
After missing most of the ’85-’86 season with a broken foot, Michael Jordan scores a playoff record 63 points during a first round series loss against the eventual champion Celtics.
Jordan had returned to the lineup despite strong pressure from Jerry Krause to sit out the remainder of the season. A minutes restriction compromise is reached but then ignored by coach Stan Albeck, leading to his firing by Krause. He is replaced by a 35-year-old Doug Collins
More playoff disappointment
Michael Jordan wins his first of an eventual 10 NBA scoring titles, averaging a career high 37.1 points per game, but for the second straight season, the Bulls are swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Celtics
Draft day coup
The Bulls acquire two cornerstones of their dynasty on NBA Draft day, selecting Horace Grant with the #10 overall pick out of Clemson, and trading the #8 overall pick to the SuperSonics in exchange for Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas)
Reaching the next level
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
Controversial trade
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
“The Shot”
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 then pull off a second consecutive postseason series upset, defeating the #2 seed Knicks in six games in the Conference Semifinals. They are subsequently defeated by the eventual champion Pistons in the Conference Finals
First moment of Zen
Despite his contract still having one year remaining, Doug Collins is fired as head coach and replaced by Phil Jackson
Pistons, again
A hard fought Conference Finals comes down to game seven, where the Pistons blow out the Bulls 93-74 to clinch the series. Scottie Pippen struggles in the deciding game seven while dealing with the effects of a migraine. A frustrated Michael Jordan breaks down in tears on the team bus after the game
Kukoc stashed
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 someone who could contribute immediately. Kukoc does not join the Bulls until 1993
East champs, at last
The Bulls finish the season with a 61-21 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They sweep the Knicks in a first round series and then defeat the 76ers in five games in the Conference Semifinals. Then, they finally overcome the Pistons and do so decisively, in a Conference Finals sweep
June 1991
First title
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
Let’s win two
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. After winning 67 games in the regular season and dominating the playoffs, this ’91-’92 Bulls team is cemented as one of the all-time greats in NBA history
Three-peat
The Bulls defeat Charles Barkley and the Suns in the NBA Finals to become the first team since the ’65-’66 Celtics to win three consecutive titles. Michael Jordan becomes the first player to earn three consecutive Finals MVP awards. John Paxson is an unlikely hero, hitting the series winning shot in game six
Tragedy strikes
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
Stepping away
Citing mental and physical exhaustion, Michael Jordan announces his retirement. The Bulls enter the ’93-’94 season with an uncertain future
Missing Mike
While Michael Jordan is playing in his debut season with the Birmingham Barons, the Jordan-less 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.
In the subsequent offseason, Bill Cartwright leaves as a free agent for the Sonics, Horace Grant signs with the Magic, and John Paxson retires. Ron Harper and Jud Buechler join the roster as free agents
“I’m back”
Michael Jordan officially announces his return to the NBA via fax, ending his 17-month retirement. With Jordan back in the lineup, the Bulls win 13 of their final 17 games to finish 47-35 and enter the playoffs as the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference
Comeback setback
Led by Shaquille O’Neal and former Chicago star Horace Grant, the Magic defeat the Bulls in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, ending Michael Jordan’s comeback season
“The Worm” turns to Chicago
Dennis Rodman is acquired via trade with the Spurs, in exchange for Will Perdue.
In the same offseason, the Bulls lose B.J. Armstrong to the Raptors in their expansion draft and make a controversial decision to sign former “Bad Boys” antagonist James Edwards. They later add another former Pistons player, John Salley, as a free agent during the ’95-’96 season
Back on top
The Bulls end arguably the most dominant season in NBA history with a record 72 wins, a revenge victory over the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, and an NBA Finals win over the SuperSonics in six games.
Michael Jordan initial celebration of the championship is falling to the floor in a heap of emotion
Overcoming the flu
The Bulls are champions for a fifth time, defeating the Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals. The series is highlighted by Michael Jordan’s 38-point performance in the infamous “Flu Game” in game five and by Steve Kerr’s series clinching basket in game six
Three-peat repeat
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.
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)
Jackson steps down
The first domino falls in the unmaking of the Bulls dynasty, with Phil Jackson resigning as head coach. The position remains open for over six months due to the NBA lockout, eventually getting filled by Tim Floyd
Rebuild speed run
As soon as the lockout is lifted, Michael Jordan announces his retirement from basketball.
The Bulls subsequently release Dennis Rodman (who signs with the Lakers) and trade Scottie Pippen to the Rockets in exchange for Roy Rogers and a second round pick. Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Jud Buechler, and Scott Burrell also leave Chicago
Indefensible title defense
The Bulls finish the lockout-shortened ’98-’99 season 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. Pressure begins building on coach Tim Floyd and general manager Jerry Krause
A clean slate
The last remaining vestige of the Bulls dynasty is traded away, as Toni Kukoc is sent to the 76ers. In return, the Bulls receive John Starks, Bruce Bowen, and a first round pick.
The Bulls go on to finish the ’99-’00 season with a franchise record 65 losses. Meanwhile, Phil Jackson takes over as head coach of the Lakers and leads them to a title
Michael’s back, back again
Michael Jordan announces his second comeback, this time with the Wizards. He plays for two seasons before retiring for a third and final time
Krause steps away
Jerry Krause resigns as general manager, citing exhaustion from the prior five years of failed rebuilding attempts. Less than two weeks after Krause’s announcement, Michael Jordan plays his final NBA game
Welcome back Scottie
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