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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BOSTON – 1973: (L-R) Gar Heard #24, Jerry Sloan #4 and Chet Walker #25 of the Chicago Bulls take the court during the game against the Boston Celtics in 1973 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1973 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1973: (L-R) Gar Heard #24, Jerry Sloan #4 and Chet Walker #25 of the Chicago Bulls take the court during the game against the Boston Celtics in 1973 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1973 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5) Chet Walker (pictured on the right)

Not many current Bulls fans, or NBA fans in general for that matter, know much about the 70’s in terms of basketball. While it’s understandable for sure, the little people do know is about legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Havlicek, and David Thompson. When talking about the 70’s in terms of the Bulls, names like Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, and Artis Gilmore come to mind.

Due to how long ago he played and the greatness of his teammates, seven time all-star, NBA champ, and Hall of Famer Chet Walker is not a commonly discussed name. While they never brought home a title, the 1970’s Chicago Bulls teams were very solid. During all of six of his seasons in Chicago, the Bulls were not once a losing team and quickly fell to an abysmal 24-58 record the season after Walker’s departure.

Walker averaged an impressive 20.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 48.3% shooting from the field and was second in team points per game each season only to Bob Love.  Jerry Sloan is credited with bringing life to the franchise and players like Norm Van Lier, Bob Love, and Artis Gilmore are credited with helping to maintain it. For some reason, Chet Walker just seems to slip through the cracks.

Next: Chicago Bulls sign Rawle Alkins to a two-way deal

While he was inducted to the hall of fame in 2012, many people, including myself for a while, didn’t know he was even on the Bulls let alone the fact that he was a super star. While this one is obviously more understandable, Walker still deserves a lot more recognition for his contributions. He truly was one of the founding fathers of Bulls basketball.

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