Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Jason Patt

PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 30
Next
Orlando Woolridge, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

24. . Small Forward. Chicago Bulls. Orlando Woolridge. 19. player

Just before Michael Jordan came to town, Orlando Woolridge was one of the Bulls’ premier players. The Bulls used the No. 6 pick in the 1981 NBA Draft on Woolridge, and he played five seasons with the team before signing with the New Jersey Nets in 1986.

Woolridge was primarily a bench player in his rookie season, but he got a much bigger opportunity in his second year. He then became the Bulls’ full-time starter at small forward in 1983-84, putting up 19.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in the process.

Woolridge’s scoring average continued to go up even with Jordan in the fold. The 6-foot-9 forward poured in 22.9 points per game on 55.4 percent shooting in Jordan’s rookie season. Woolridge also scored 20.5 points per game in the playoffs.

Woolridge had one more productive season in Chicago, with a 20.7 points per game average in 1985-86. With Jordan out for most of the season, Woolridge became the de facto No. 1 scoring option. He notched 21.0 points per game in another short playoff series.

While Woolridge was a prolific scorer and highlight-reel dunker (he participated in the 1984 and 1985 Slam Dunk Contests), he wasn’t the best fit with Jordan because he didn’t offer much besides scoring. The Bulls were fine with Woolridge leaving, and they got multiple draft picks as compensation.

Woolridge scored 17.4 points per game as a Bull, and he shot an efficient 53.2 percent from the field. That field goal percentage is the second-best in Bulls history, with Artis Gilmore well ahead in the No. 1 spot.

Home/Bulls All-Time Lists