Everyone knows number 23, the legend, Michael Jordan. You also can’t forget about one of the youngest and most explosive MVPs in history, Derrick Rose, or even other Chicago Bulls stars such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Jimmy Butler.
When you think about the best players in Bulls history, those players are the first ones that come to mind — but what about the other players? Those of whom may not have had as much box office appeal as the players named above but were still vital pieces on different Bulls teams. Don’t they deserve some recognition? Of course, they do.
These 2 Chicago Bulls players deserved a lot more appreciation.
Ben Gordon
If you are a die-hard Bulls fan, then you remember Ben Gordon. Gordon was the prototypical shooting guard, an above-average three-point shooter, and a great shot creator. He played five seasons with Chicago. Each of those seasons was better than the last, although the Bulls may not have won a championship during his tenure, his individual play was noteworthy.
Gordon had a tremendous rookie season, he came into the league serving buckets for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more. During his rookie season, he averaged 15.1 points per game and shot 40% from three. Which ultimately led to him winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award. The first rookie in NBA history to accomplish such a feat. Throughout his time in Chicago, he averaged over 20 points per game in a season twice, while shooting over 40 percent from three.
When the Chicago Bulls were looking for a jumpstart following the dynasty, Ben Gordon was the spark plug they were looking for. He brought the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time in years and kept them in contention in the years following. Gordon was a vital piece of Bulls history and he doesn’t need a ring to show it.
Steve Kerr
Everybody remembers Steve Kerr for his critical shot in the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz but it seems as if that is all he is remembered for. Although Kerr did not average 30 points per game, he was a key component for those championship teams.
Obviously, you have Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman, as the faces of the franchise, but Kerr brought something that team desperately lacked: shooting. Kerr shot over 50% from three multiple times during his five-year tenure in Chicago. His presence played a big role in creating an ample amount of space for Jordan and Pippen to operate. Having that type of shooting surrounding arguably the Greatest Player of All Time is a recipe for an NBA championship.
So Kerr was not just the guy who ” bailed” Jordan out in the Finals, but he was that team’s designated sniper. Not every day do you see an NBA player shoot over 50% from three, especially at a time when threes were not viewed as a priority.
Steve Kerr was Steph before Steph, without the shot-creating ability. His role on those Bulls teams needs to be appreciated a lot more, without him the Bulls may be down a championship.