Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Top 15 draft picks in franchise history

By Jason Patt

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JUNE 11: Michael Jordan #23 hugs teammate Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls following Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals played against the Utah Jazz on June 11, 1997 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 90-88. Ahmad Rashad tries to get an interview for NBC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JUNE 11: Michael Jordan #23 hugs teammate Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls following Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals played against the Utah Jazz on June 11, 1997 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 90-88. Ahmad Rashad tries to get an interview for NBC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Woolridge, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

. . 14. player. 24. SF . Notre Dame. Orlando Woolridge

The Bulls selected the talented, athletic Orlando Woolridge with the No. 6 pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. The Notre Dame product had several prolific scoring seasons with the Bulls and carved out a lengthy NBA career, but issues with drugs and alcohol cut his time in Chicago short as Jerry Krause was trying to build a contender around Michael Jordan.

After a modest rookie season, Woolridge stepped into a larger role in his second campaign and notched 16.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. His scoring average would only go up from there, to 19.3 points per game in his third year to 22.9 points per contest on 55.4 percent shooting in Jordan’s rookie season.

Woolridge’s scoring average dipped in 1985-86 when Jordan missed most of the season with a broken foot, but it still sat at a stellar 20.7 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting. The forward made up for the scoring dip with an improvement in playmaking to three assists per game after never handing out more than 1.8 dimes per game in the four years before that.

Woolridge also scored over 20 points per game in both of his playoff stints in Chicago, including a playoff career-best 21 points per game in the 1986 postseason after Jordan returned from his foot injury.

While Woolridge was a good scorer and dazzling athlete, the Bulls determined he wasn’t the right fit in part due to his drug and alcohol problems. Things could have played out differently if he kept his head on straight and fulfilled his immense potential.

The Bulls let Woolridge walk to the New Jersey Nets in 1986. Chicago received a first-round pick and two second-round picks as compensation, and that first-rounder became Stacey King, the No. 6 pick in 1989. King never lived up to his potential, but he was a key reserve during the Bulls’ first three-peat and currently serves as the team’s television color commentator.

Though Woolridge could be characterized as somewhat of a disappointment, his sheer talent level and impressive production earn him a spot on this list. The value received from his departure also helps.

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