Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Some of the most undervalued Chicago Bulls players of all time

By Aymin Bakr

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 8: Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 8: Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 1: Ron Harper #9 of the Chicago Bulls drives during a game played on November 1, 1997 at the First Union Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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)
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 1: Ron Harper #9 of the Chicago Bulls drives during a game played on November 1, 1997 at the First Union Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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) /

1) Ron Harper

Being an “All-Star” is of course a subjective term. However, most people can generally agree on certain players and pre-Chicago Harper was pretty close to one of those players. Before joining the Bulls in 1994, Ron Harper averaged 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals on 43.6% shooting with the Los Angeles Clippers. Clearly, he had All-Star level talent before he took on the job of starting point guard for the championship Bulls.

Manning the point guard slot for the best team in basketball at the time is no easy feat. An elite scorer, who had a career best of 22.8 points per game, dropped down to just 7.9 over 5 seasons with the Bulls due to less minutes and a different task. Harper was signed because they wanted him for his defensive capabilities and he perfected that role.

He completed one of the scariest defensive lineups in NBA history with little debate. Imagine a 6’6 Ron Harper, a 6’6 Michael Jordan, a 6’8 Scottie Pippen, and 6’7 Dennis Rodman all pushing up to trap the opposing players at half court. Harper was often the guy who would chase down and stop fast breaks and compliment Jordan and Pippen to literally shut down the opposing, and often much smaller,guards.

Some people remember Harper as a mediocre player on a dominant team but that’s far from the truth. The huge dips in his stats were a direct result of his dedication to playing the role the team needed most. With prime Michael Jordan and a capable Scottie Pippen on your team, scoring becomes an after thought for most other players.

While some people may believe that the Bulls would have still won their last 3 titles regardless, it’s undeniable that Harper made things a lot easier.

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