Ronnie Brewer was a key member of the Chicago Bulls bench mob. I recently had the chance to talk to him about his time with the Bulls.
Bulls fans will always remember the 2010-2011 season largely because that was the season Derrick Rose won the MVP. That was also the season that the bench mob assembled. The bench mob was led by Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Taj Gibson.
The bench mob would always dominate the opponents second group. A player that a lot of fans might not remember who was a key member of the bench mob was Ronnie Brewer.
Ronnie wasn’t a player that would score 20 points a night, but he was a player that would provide athleticism and great defense.
In the summer of 2010, Ronnie signed a three year deal with the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in his two seasons with the Bulls.
In the summer of 2012, the Bulls declined Brewer’s option which made him a free agent. During the 2014-2015 season, the Bulls signed Brewer for the remainder of the season.
I recently had the chance to talk to Ronnie Brewer about his time with the Chicago Bulls.
Daniel Greenberg: In 2010 you signed a three year deal with the Chicago Bulls. What made you decide to join the Bulls?
Ronnie Brewer: I decided to join the Bulls because it was the best opportunity for me. I previously played with Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver and they both reached out to me to come play in Chicago. I loved Derrick’s and Noah’s game and I felt I could fit in with Luol Deng. Thibs was also a defensive minded coach.
Greenberg: Derrick Rose became the youngest player in the NBA history to win the MVP in 2011. What was it like having Derrick as a teammate and what was your favorite memory from that season?
Brewer: Playing with Derrick was amazing. Every night he did something that you couldn’t believe. He was a leader, a great player, and an awesome ambassador for the Chicago Bulls on and off the court. Derrick did so much for the community. He was such an awesome teammate and a young rising star at that time.
Greenberg: You were teammates with Jimmy Butler. Do you think the Bulls made the right decision by trading him to Minnesota?
Brewer: I don’t think the Bulls did the right thing by breaking the team up when they decided to get rid of Thibs or Jimmy. Both of them wanted to be in Chicago.
Greenberg: What was it like playing in United Center?
Brewer: Playing in United Center was an amazing experience. The atmosphere was crazy, and we really had it rocking while I was there. We left it all on the floor and the fans respected that and the product that we put out on the floor night in and night out.
Greenberg: How would you describe your experience playing for the Chicago Bulls?
Brewer: My experience playing for the Bulls was something that was unforgettable, and something I’ll cherish for the remainder of my life. Bench mob all day, See Red, and Madhouse on Madison always!
Ronnie Brewer also told me that he still talks to most of the guys that were his teammates when he was on the Bulls.
A lot of Bulls fans will never forget that MVP season by Derrick Rose, but the bench mob was a big reason why the Bulls finished the regular season first in the Eastern Conference.