Ranking the top 10 guards in Chicago Bulls franchise history
4. Jerry Sloan
Although the Jerry Sloan era came long before most Bulls fans began tuning in — and certainly before I ever watched my first game — it’s impossible to deny the immense impact he’s had on Chicago’s franchise history.
After growing up in southern Illinois and spending 10 of his 11 NBA seasons with the Bulls, Sloan thoroughly engrained himself in the team’s culture and perfectly encapsulated the image of a Midwestern success story. He’d earn two All-Star appearances and a staggering six All-Defensive Team selections for his stellar play.
In the five-year period from 1971 to 1975, Sloan teamed up with fellow Bulls legend Chet Walker to produce one of the most successful eras in franchise history. Chicago achieved a record of 260-150 in that span, advancing to the Conference Semi-Finals each time and even making two Conference Finals trips. Unfortunately, these years overlapped with the Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West Lakers teams and would yield no championships.
Although his best years came after leaving the team, Jimmy Butler is among the best guards in Chicago Bulls history.
3. Jimmy Butler
Since leaving the Chicago Bulls after six years of impeccable service, Jimmy Butler has bounced all around the league including stops at Minnesota, Philadelphia, and now finding his resting place with Miami. Everywhere he’s gone, success has followed him.
Chicago is no exception here, as the unexpected development of Butler radically affected the team’s long-term plans. With the Bulls, Butler racked up a variety of accolades including three All-Star selections, two All-Defensive Team nods, a Most Improved Player award, and an All-NBA nomination in 2017.
That year saw Butler average a stellar 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists coupled with his typical dominant defense. Unfortunately, Chicago would signal an attempt to rebuild by trading Butler away. He’s since tallied up an additional three All-Star and All-NBA selections, a steals title, and has recently single-handedly carried the Heat to NBA Finals. Not committing to Jimmy will forever be one of the biggest “What if?” hypothetical scenarios for Bulls fans.