Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mentions:
“The Zen Master” will go down as arguably the greatest head coach in NBA history. Personally, I wanted to recognize players that contributed to the organization, but Phil Jackson is just as eligible for this list as anybody.
In nine seasons on the sidelines for the Bulls, Jackson won six NBA Championships with the Bulls, including a NBA Coach of the Year Award during the Bulls’ record-breaking 72-win season in 1995-96.
If there was ever an award for “Mr. Chicago Bull”, Johnny “Red” Kerr might be the front-runner to take home that award.
Kerr played 12 seasons in the NBA, but he’s best known for his two seasons in Chicago as head coach, and spending the better part of 30 years as a color commentator for the Bulls. Not many voices are more recognizable in the city of Chicago.
(Photo Credit: NBCChicago.com)
Speaking of recognizable Bulls broadcasters, Norm Van Lier spent 17 years as a pregame and post-game game analyst for the Bulls, while also playing six seasons for the Bulls in the 1970s.
Van Lier was a three-time All-Star with Chicago, while being named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First or Second Team eight times in his 10-year playing career. Both he and Kerr passed away in February 2009 on the same day.
I honestly feel awful for leaving the prior three figures off this list, and the “A-Train” is no exception. But, three spots on this list were locks. Even still, Gilmore was a bad man during his tenure in the ABA, along with putting together some solid seasons with the Bulls and two other NBA franchises (San Antonio and Boston.
In six seasons with the Bulls, Gilmore made five All-Star Games, while scoring over 15,000 points in his career.
Next: Franchise Four: Jerry Sloan