Pippen Ain't Easy
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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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Tom Boerwinkle, Jerry Sloan, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Tom Boerwinkle. 23. player. 24. . Center. Chicago Bulls

Tom Boerwinkle wasn’t quite an original Bull, but he came along in the franchise’s third season and spent the entirety of his 10-year NBA career in Chicago. The Bulls picked the 7-foot Tennessee product fourth in the 1968 NBA Draft.

Boerwinkle was a double-double machine to begin his career and an important force in the middle while playing with guys like Bob Love, Chet Walker and Jerry Sloan. As a rookie, Boerwinkle just missed averaging a double-double by putting up 9.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He hit that double-double average in his second season with 10.4 points and 12.5 rebounds per contest. That season, he exploded for 17.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in the playoffs, though the Bulls lost to the Atlanta Hawks in five games.

Boerwinkle had the most productive year of his career in 1970-71. He recorded career highs in points (10.8) and rebounds (13.8) per game, and he continued to develop his playmaking skills by handing out 4.8 dimes per game. His numbers dipped a bit in the playoffs, though, and the Bulls lost a seven-game series to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Boerwinkle never came close to matching that 1970-71 production again, and some injury woes limited him at times throughout the rest of his career. He did have a slight resurgence in 1975-76 when he snared 10.7 rebounds per game and got his scoring average back up to 8.8, but that was his last season as a major contributor. After his playing career, Boerwinkle spent time as a Bulls radio analyst.

Boerwinkle is seventh in Bulls history in games played and second in total rebounds, only behind Michael Jordan. The big man is also ninth in assists, an impressive feat for a center.

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