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, IL – DECEMBER 12: Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 12, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 12: Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 12, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2) Kirk Hinrich

The vast majority of Bulls fans remember Kirk Hinrich for his time with the Bulls. With that said, he’s still a fairly undervalued player considering many fans don’t realize the sheer potential he had as a top 3 option. Most people remember him as a sort of 3 and D player who was a serviceable playmaker but he was arguably much more than that.

Kirk Hinrich was not a superstar by any means but his first 4 seasons in the league were particularly noteworthy. He averaged a fairly high level 15.1 points, 6.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 41.2% shooting from the field and 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Granted he did this in around 36 minutes per game but it’s still impressive.

To add on, Hinrich was a better defender than most people realize. After just three years in the league, he was named to the all-defensive second team. He could stick with nearly any point guard in the league and defended well off the pick and roll. He was getting the league’s attention, however, he’d never get the chance to be a top 3 option again as Derrick Rose was drafted in 2008 and the Bulls transitioned into an elite team with multiple threats. He continued to be an elite defender and solid shooter to backup rose for the new-look Bulls.

Hinrich isn’t severely underrated by any means, but he was a much better player than people remember. It’s easy to forget his early contributions as a top 3 option simply because his teams were bad. What people mostly remember are his consistent and efficient efforts off the bench for some great late 2000s early 2010s Bulls teams.  Captain Kirk is one of the most recognizable faces the franchise has ever had and is admirable for accepting a reserve role despite his starting talents to help the team win.

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