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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Horace Grant, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Horace Grant . 24. . . Clemson. PF . 7. player

The 2004 NBA Draft was big for the Bulls, but it still pales in comparison to what the 1987 NBA Draft meant to the franchise. The prize of that draft was Scottie Pippen (more on him later), but don’t forget about Horace Grant, the 10th pick, and the man known for his trademark goggles.

The 6-foot-10 Grant immediately became a key cog in the Bulls’ rotation, averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game as a rookie behind Charles Oakley. Grant’s rapid development led to Jerry Krause pulling the trigger on a trade that sent Oakley to the New York Knicks for veteran center Bill Cartwright.

While the deal infuriated Michael Jordan, one of Oakley’s closest friends, it was for the best. It allowed Grant to slide in as the starting power forward and blossom into one of the league’s premier defenders and rebounders at the position.

He did his share on offense, too, becoming the Bulls’ No. 3 scoring option behind Jordan and Pippen. Furthermore, Cartwright’s contributions as a tough veteran presence were invaluable as Chicago’s dynasty took over the league.

Grant’s best season during the first three-peat came in 1991-92, when he recorded 14.2 points, 10 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 57.8 percent from the field. However, it was in 1993 when he was involved with two of the most significant plays during that title run.

The first came against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the series tied 2-2 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks had a chance to take a late lead. What followed has gone down in infamy in Knicks lore:

The Bulls went on to win the series in six games to advance to the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. In Game 6, it was Grant who set up John Paxson for the title-winning 3-pointer:

Grant made his lone All-Star Game the following year after Jordan’s retirement, averaging career bests in points, rebounds and assists per game. He joined the Orlando Magic as a free agent the next season and actually beat the Bulls in the playoffs when Jordan returned, though Jordan and Co. got their revenge in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals.

Grant played seven seasons with the Bulls and is behind only Joakim Noah for offensive rebounds. He’s seventh in total rebounds and sixth in both steals and blocks. He also made the All-Defensive second team twice in Chicago.

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