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) /
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Artis Gilmore, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

24. . Center. Chicago Bulls. Artis Gilmore. 4. player

The Bulls initially selected Artis Gilmore in the seventh round of the 1971 NBA Draft, but he signed a record contract in the ABA and dominated that league for five seasons. Gilmore went into the 1976 ABA Dispersal Draft when the NBA and ABA merged and his Kentucky Colonels folded, and the Bulls selected him with the first pick of that draft.

Gilmore’s domination on the hardwood continued in Chicago. He put up 18.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in his first Bulls season, and he put up similar numbers in the postseason.  The 7-foot-2 center became even more productive from there, posting 22.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in 1977-78 and 23.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in 1978-79. He earned All-Star nods in both seasons.

Gilmore totaled four All-Star appearances in Chicago. In his last two seasons with the team, the big man led the league in field goal percentage. He shot a career-high 67.0 percent in 1980-81 and led the Bulls to the second round of the playoffs. He followed that up by shooting 65.2 percent in 1981-82.

The Bulls traded Gilmore to the San Antonio Spurs in 1982, and he was traded back in 1987. His second stint with the Bulls was short, though, as he was soon sent to the Boston Celtics before retiring at the end of the 1987-88 season. He finished his Bulls career with averages of 19.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Gilmore was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. He’s first in Bulls history in blocks, field goal percentage and true shooting percentage. He’s also in the top four in numerous advanced statistics, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

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